Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-02
MUST AID RUSSIA
To CHECK FAMINE
BY WILLIAM BIRD
Especial Cable to The Journal.)
(Copyright, 1921

Copyright, 1929
(While European politicians squabble.
famine and pestilence knock at the very
door Of civilization. Mr.. Bird cables a
dark, picture of threatened calamity. Be
cause Russia is the first sufferer, no one
seems to care, America may have to step
in to save another frightful chapter in
world history.)
PARIS, July 3O.-The greatest
catastrophe since the war itself is
hanging over Europe and statesmen
seem completely blind to its men
ace. The unprecedented drought,
following the economic and social
disorganization produced by the
war, has brought not only. stark
famine to thirty millions of Rus
slams, according to the latest hg-
ures, but has caused serious crop
shortages throughout Europe.
Had this, calamity come AFTER a a
been bad enough. Coming after
years Of waste and destruction and
semi-starvation it's ravages will be
frightful in the extreme,
1t is distressing duty to nave
disaster has fallen first and most
acutely upon Russia, there are men
small enough in the chancelleries
and counting houses Of Europe to
take satisfaction in this distress.
This may or may not pc pure Gus US
one-eyed and Russia's plight al
ways has been on tEeir blind side.
But, whatever the motive, 1t is not
uncommon when you ask authorl-
ties what they propose to do ABOUT
the famine sweeping with such glanc
i +1A CT n
a reply as this, which 1 heard
day; n,,,on a,,,son,n+io hoe
been opened; you can go and con-
tribute five francs if you are in
tereSted."
What Europes rulers do not see
not yet-is that this is not mere
ly a matter of bringing relief to
foreign sufferers. If within a few
weeks, according to the most re-
liable accounts available here, a
organized sanitary drive is not
launched it will be too late to pre-
vent the Russian epidemic spread
ing into Europe. Let it be remark
ed that eastern Europe is i'll pre-
pared to resist. In Poland, for ex-
equipment is lacking. Rumania,
Czecho-Slovakiaa and Jugo-Slavia are
prime feeding grounds for pesti-
lence. The cities are laxly admin
istered and sufficient water for
cleaning has been lacking for
underfed and physically are unfit
ted to combat disease. If famine,
and it's attendant plague are not
stopped in Russia, there is no tell
ing where they will be stopped.
Si1esian Squabb1e
Meantime France and England
are .quarreling about upper Silesia.
British interests have big invest
ments there which they fear will
depreciate under Polish domination.
French politicians have sworn to
enrich and aggroandIi7ze Poland at
lied supreme council, the worlds
highest political authority, will ar
IDENTIFY debate this relatively petty
squabble next week.
A derisive smile greeted my ques-
ton today as to whether or not
the council would find time to dis
cuss the Russian situation.
But the American readers must
not get the impression that theorists,
socialists, humanitarians, and other
wild men" are the only Europeans
now interested in prompt Russian
relief. Even the most reactionary
papers point to the threatening dan
ger. Business men and bankers Of
every country are meeting and are
decidedly nervous. Apparently the
politicians alone are blind on this
question.
Considering the leadership they
have had it is hardly to be expected
that the European governments can
prevent this calamity any more
than they prevented the World War.
Perhaps the Europeans have too
naive a faith in American states
manship, but the fact remains that
unless the initiative comes from
America a frightful chapter in the
worlds tragic history is about to
open,