Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-04
ASK CHURCH TO AID
STRICKEN PEOPLES
Official Call Issued to Christians
to Help Armenia, Russia
and Austria

Washington, Jan. 4.-Four interna-
tional measures of great significance arc
urged in an official call to the Chris
tians Of the United States by the Fed
eral Council of the Churches of Christ
in america. They were adopted by the
Executive Committee and are now gCine
20 the churches throughout the country.
The four measures are:
First, for the religious elements of
the country to exercise every possible
influence to secure immediate active
measures by the Government of the
United States for the protection of Ar-
menian and Greek Christians undci
Turkish rue.
Second. that the United States ns a
nation become n Good Samaritan. with
gifts by Congress and individuals I"
save the starving of Russia.
Third, to grant an extension. at least
to Austria for the payment of her debt
Of $24 ,C00.0GO for food purchased in
America Immediately after the armisticc:
Fourth, that the Christians and
churches of America enter into the full
est possible fratcrnal relations with tn"
Christians Of Germany, GS Christians
determined to join in building our shat
tered world on q new and better toun-
dation.
The statement. which bears the head
Nations says:
In view OF the tragic conditions Of
ASmcnian and Greek Christians under
cruel and murdCrous rulers. and ~
numerous appeals to America Tor poIitl'
csl protection and philanthropic help,
and in view of the proposal in CongrcNs
that President Harding take up with
Great Britain, France and Italy the
question of dealing effectively with IN"
Turkish maltrCatmCnt OF Christian
subjects, we urge the churches OF
America to exert every possible lniiU"
encc:
60 secure immediate active measure
by our Government for the protection
of Christians under Turkish rule; =
TO provide contributions ncCdtul fer
the physical wants Of those thrcdtcnc
with starvation IN the Near East am
TO promote National Service "t
Prayer in all our churches unit per
manent protection is secured for Chris
tians under Turkish rule.
Because Of the fearful famine IN
Russia and in response to the appeal OF
Herbert Hoover, approved by President
Harding. We urge the churches ana
Christians of America to make Ernrr.
Gus and early response to the pitltui
calls from Russia for gifts of food
clothing and medicine. This. however.
Is case in which private phiIunthrop
is wholly inadequate. We, therefore.
earnestly urge Congress to take ia
necessary actions by which the Unite
States as . nation may become goo"
Samaritan.
Austria incurred a debt to the CnitC'
States Immediately after the armtSticc
of S24 900, 900 for the purchase of foo
in America. One step immCdlaiCl
pressing for saving Austria from con-
plete dissolution appears I" be ut least
an extension Of time for the payment
of her international debts. The nations
of Europe. except Italy. have COnscntc'
10 n twenty year delay in her d"tt
payments. Italy. also. consents to this
delay, provided America will do th'
same. We therefore urge that our
Government unite at one" with th'
other nations for helping Austria ~
such methods is shall save this suffer-
! Ing nation.
/, II American Christians arc earnest IN
their desire to have n Christian wor
\ order. a peace system 10 take the place
of the old war SYSTEM "" must our
! selves have Il Christian spirit toWur'
q the peoples of every land. The Chris
u tianS and the churches of America
b should enter into the fullest p0SSib
fratcrnal relations with our Christian
brethren in Germany. AS Christians de-
termined to join in rebuilding our >nHt-
tered world on new and better lounda-
tions.
We recommend. accordingly, that the
; Administrative Committee be author
lied to prepare n suitable conlmunica-
tion to the churrhrS and Christians cf
Germany on behalf of the Federal
Council Of the Churches of Christ in
America. expressing our desire for re-
yta,,nI fri,pis bit, md t,,-DnCrutlOl