The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-24
FRIENDS TO LAUNCH
DRIVE FOR HUNGRY
RUSSIAN CHILDREN

An extraordinary emergency cam
paign for s5,000,O0o for the immeoiale
succor of millions of infants ana chill
dren in the vast fanine-swept area OF
the Russian volga district is 10 Dc |
launched at once throughout the Unit
ed States by the American FRIENDS
service committee, it was announced
today.
Acting independently in country
with which they are intimately famll-
lar through the distribution OF some-
what under 81. 600 900 of relief during
the mast thirteen months, the Ameri-
can Friends will at once set in motion
a tremendous augmentation of relief
sbipments to the stricken territory
where between 100000 and 15,000,OcO
children are threatened by the famine.
Ready to Co Ahead.
Their organization already highly
perfected through over year or In
iensive child feeding and general re-
lief in Russia, and supported by strong
backing in the United States and
among humanitarian Americans, the
Friends committee has determined 10
carry ahead its campaign, cooperating
with the A. r. A. and ether American
relief bodies to the extent of avoiding
duplication of relief distribution, Dr.
Wilbur K. Thomas. executive secre-
ta-y of the Philadelphia headquarters
stated.
The independent Friends campaign
will be characterized by the most riga
policy on non-interference in political
or trade affairs, and will sharply de-
limited to the humanitarian work oil
saving child life regardless of the po-
litical or commercial relationships IN
yolyed in the Russian question
There Is a vast field for all or
our American relief" DIR. Thomas de-
clared. THE Hoover organization
which is now preparing to enter the
Russian field for the first time has
pledged itself to the relief of 1,0O0,O00
Russian children. Even though TINS
number is greatly increased under the
vide support that will be commanded
by the Hoover organization ana lts
tremendous record of achievements
through other parts of Europe, there
will still be millions of Russian chill
dren in the Volga district that must
be fed There is therefore, no danger
OF duplication; the danger is that
there shall not De enough 10 20 dIouiu
Keep headquarters
1.-THE Friends relief work will be
carried on, on its enlarged scale from
the present Friends relief headquart
crs, at Buzuluk on the Solga, which
city is in the heart of the famine
district General headquarters will be
q Moscow, where the Friends nave
maintained offices since July of 1920
Our latest reports by cable from
Russia, fully bear out the general in
formation of the desperation of the
Russian situation: and the words OF
Premier Lloyd George to the British
House of Commons that the worlo
is faced today with an unprecedent
cd catastrophe that must appea
only TO our sense of human pity"
Great bodies of peasants are on the
move in the famine district, searching
without direction or destination fol
food. This condition, adding destitu
ton and homelessness TO famine, is
greatly increasing the difficulties
under which relief must be carried on
Every day that relief on vast scale
is delayed. the problem will become
more difficult to handle and the toll
of human lives will mount to still fur
Their losses"
Will Help Generally
While infants and children will be
given preference in feeding, the
Friends committee will adopt policy
of supplying food wherever it can re
lieve the pangs of famine.
While the hunger of children is per
haps the most difficult thing for th'
world to face and the first considera
ton in famine relief. the Friends be
lieve that American sympathy and tn
American conscience will not desir
to stop short where human beings o
any age are perishing in the desper
ate death that hunger brings" Dr.
Thomas said THE Friends there
fore, will not refuse food to starvin
adults in the famine areas"
The forthcoming nationwide effor
by the Friends committee will be d
rected from the Philadelphia heaC
quarters. The utmost expedition Wi
be observed by the committee TO rus
consequent relief TO the affected area
mo red tape will be allowed t
stand in the way of the most imm,
date distribution of all aid that
rendered by the American people i
this crisis DIR. Thomas said. lou
organization, both in this country an
in Russia is functioning in perfeC
operation and is equipped TO dispens
all help that is given with efficienc
and dispatch.