Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-27
Friday, May 81, 1921
THE FRIENDS URGENT PLEA

The American Friends Service
Committee has been quietly but eff
fectively doing a great relief work in
the devastated parts of Europe, ac-
cording to all accounts, a subscrib-
er of this paper, acquainted with
their methods, having worked with
them in France, sends us some of the
literature of their appeal for funds
and clothing.
From this it appears Maine man
living in California recently sent them
a check for $4,000 but such contribu-
tons are rare, and much must be done.
They propose to use this in the extern
sive program of relief which they are
now conducting for former citizens
of Poland These refugees, the COM
mittee writes, are now returning from
Russia at the rate of 5000 a week,
hungry and destitute and Poland is
unable to assist them.
In the vicinity of the Bug river the
committee is doing a very valuable
work in the devastated agricultural
district. which has been practically
stripped of livestock and food and
many Of the buildings have been de-
stroyed. Many of the children of ten
der years were absolutely without
clothing the past winter and only
kept alive on the tops of the big Rus
sian stoves.
This committee reports an appal-
ling lack of clothing throughout CEN
trail and eastern Europe. where al
most none has been bought by the
masses of the people since 1915 They
may get through the summer but I'M
less relief comes to them by next
winter they must perish and the COM
mittee appeals to the American pub
dollars worth of clothing to be dis
tributed in Poland, Vienna, Germany
is needed knitted clothing, second
hand clothing that is clean and serv-
iceable and worth paying freight on.
shoes that are in good condition, baby
clothing in unlimited quantities; yarn
and uncut cloth. and leather TO be
made into garments and shoes.
To obtain such relief this urgent
appeal is made:
THE spasm of generosity that pos
sessed America during the war has
undoubtedly given way to reaction.
Christians are taking a vacation.
They do not realize that the emer-
gency in Europe, as far as clothing
is concerned. has increased rather
than diminished. Will our women
rest on their porches this summer in
self-satisfied contemplation of past
labors, or will they rise to this need?
Will the men who read these words
dig deep into their pockets once more
so that adequate supplies of raw ma
terials and ready made garments
may be purchased? Love must go
ihIo thio oCISiCS E1feTy StIlCI
be taken with imagination that per-
ceives why it Is taken and feels for
the prospective recipient: every gar
ment, now as in the war. should be
dispatched with a prayer. womens
sewing circles. as we'll as individuals
everywhere, are asked to cooperate
with the Friends in a whole hearted
effort to prevent the repetition, in
any or all Of the countries where the
Friends are working, of the great suf-
fering which prevailed in Europe dur
ing the past winter"
Boxes. bales and packages. as soon
az they are ready, may be sent to the
American Friends Service Committee
room, 18th and Cherry Streets. Phil
adelphia, Pa. They will be shipped
from here, as fast as they accumulate
to the country for which you desig-
nate them"