The New York herald., 1922-09-16
Job Far Too Great for Any
Private Charity to Cope
With 1t.
ADMIRAL BRIST0L'S TASK
Instructed to Prepare Program
of Assistance Without COM
mitting This Country.
Special Dispatch TO THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
WashiurfOn. ID. O. sent IL

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington ID. C.. sept. Is.
Joint action by the United States,
Great Britain and France TO give relief
t. the suffering Inhabitants of Smyrna
was proposed to-day by the State De-
partment. Acting Secretary William
Phillips sent cablegram outlining
this view 10 the Embassies in London
and Paris asking that the question be
taken up with the respective Foreign
Offices.
Mr.. Phillips also sent cablegram TO
the destroyer squadron in Turkish
waters and High Commissioner at Con-
stantinople. asking him to confer with
the allied representatives to work out
a program for relief, but to make no
commitments for the United States at
this time. desiring that the American
Government be free to deal with the
situation as the facts warrant.
Too Great for Private Charity.
This action followed conferences with
representatives of the American Red
Cross and the Near East Relief in an
would be willing to do to help the suf-
ferers. 1t was agreed that while these
agencies are ready and willing to do all
they can, the job is far too great TO deal
with privately.
British and French officials have facil-
tiles close at hand. the State Depart
ment has been advised, which can be
used to good advantage in giving relief.
Transports are required. the State De-
partment believes, in order TO get the
refugees out of the section where danger
exists.
Here is the text of the cablegram
sent by the State Department to the
embassies in Paris and London and to
Admiral Bristol:
After consulting fully with Ameri-
can Red Cross and Near East Relief.
department is of opinion that situation
is clearly beyond the scope of any pri-
vate charity, only Government action
by Allies with aid of transport for
evacuation of refugees can bring about
permanent relief. Find American pri-
vate relief organizations ready &c CO.
operate to help meet immediate emer-
gency IL some plan for permanent re-
lief is developed and put inso opera
tion at once. Private relief feels that
it would be idle to even attempt tenn
porary amelioration of situation unless
permanent cure is in sight. All money
available could be used UP in first
two or three weeks and situation would
be just as pressing at end of that time
unless this breathing spell We're used
TO put into action some comprehensive
scheme to ultimately reduce and solve
the problem. America anxious to help
but feels responsibility clearly on gov
ernments which have equipment and
military and naval organizations on
the ground that can be put 10 work
at once.
without assuming any commitments.
department desires you in consultation
with your allied colleagues and their
military and naval representatives to
draw and submit Immediately a joint
and comprehensive plan for Smyrna
emergency"
Refugees at Athens.
A dispatch to the State Department
from Athens reported IT,. arrival at the
Piraeus OF the United slates destroyer
Simpson. with $50 Americans on board
from Smyrna September 49, Consul
General Horton is in charge OF the $50
Americans rushed out of the danger zone
upon the orders of Capt. Hepburn, Ad-
mral Bristols chief OF staff. who Is in
charge of the American naval forces at
Smyrna.
Consul-General Horton. after much
difficulty. arranged for their debarka-
tion and found temporary quarters for
the INDECENT on board an empty ship
near the shore. Horton said he had
enough money to last for few days.
A vivid description of the burning OF
smyrna is contained in dispatches re-
ceived to-day at the Greek legation
from Athens.
According TO the general conviction"
says that report. given out at the lega-
tion tonight. "the fire was Intentionally
started by the Turks so as to obliterate
all traces Of massacres, pillages and
other crimes" The first. the dispatches
state. reduced to ashes the entire west
ern part OF the city. comprising the
European, Greek and Armenian quarters