Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-11-14
PERTH AMBoY's BIG OPPORTUNITY

FGhIh AmbO1 . blG OffOkIUNlTX
Perth Amboy, as a city, has done nothing toward raising a
iund for the Near East Relief. This is the greatest humanitarian
work before the worlt today, Thousands of refugees, fleeing be-
fore the hand of the bloody Turk, are destitute and starving with
winter almost upon them. They crowd the shores waiting vainly
for boats to carry them away.
The Red Cross has been informed that $4,000 refugees were
on their way to Greece from Constantinople while a like number
was reported moving to Greece from northeastern Asia Minor.
ahe total number of refugees is placed at 100000. Most of these
sefugees are absolutely destitute and without any clothing but
that designed for summer wear. There is a very large proper
ton of women, children and old men.
Mark 0. Prentiss, special representative of the American
Near East Relief, who is on his way home after a tour of the Dis
'rict where he passed through the Smyrna fire, reports from Paris,
that there is certain to be an explosion in Constantinople soon
which, In his opinion, would be another Smyrna, but several
ZINES worse Three-quarters of a million people must be evac1
ated from Constantinople pelLmen if the impending disaster is moi
anticipated, he says.
While many OF these people who are endeavoring to escarA
from the Turk are Armenians, the great majority are Creeks.
Naturally, it is toward Greece that they turn when looking for d
place OF refuge. The Greek minister of relief has declared that it
IS impossible for Greece to support this increased population.
Whether we survive or perish, ~ he says, depends on the help
we get from the outside To the Red Cross representative at
Athens, he has made this statement:
Greece has 100000 people. Of these 100000 are to,
poor to help others. That leaves 100000 who can contribut.
nothing to the support of the refugees of whom we have or sooa
will have 100000. There is thus one and one-half refugees IN
very two able citizens among us. A load like that will kill us il
two years America and the other nations must decide whether il
IS worth while to the world for the Greek nation to live or die.
Ny personal hopes are conferred on America. I believe the exi..
tance of my country is N her hands"
1t is well for the people of Perth Amboy to remember all this
Just at this time when the annual Red Cross roll call is on. This
sty has not yet done IT'S part in this great work. There has been
40 concerted movement here to raise funds for the Near East Re-
lef, although such funds have been started in towns all about u.s.
many of them much smaller than Perth Amboy. 1t is well enough
10 say that We have 4 great deal to do right here at home; S,
ns every community. We have got to do our part in every good
work everywhere and It is time we got busy.
The Red Cross and the Near East Relief have combined forces
N this emergency and it is possible for persons desiring to give
something to the Near East Relief to so designate a subscription
hat if handed to the Red Cross, but such subscription must not be
confused with the membership dues that one is asked to pay to
me Red Gross at this time.
In fact, in joining the Red Cross now assistance is being given
the great work which that organization is carrying on throughout
the world, not overlooking the work right here at home. But when
we consider the conditions under which we are living, with mora
than enough work for everybody at wages unsurpassed anywhere
se, our problems sink into insgnifcance compared with the great
needs elsewhere.
The fact that Perth Amboy has not raised any fund for the
Near East Relief makes it all the more imperative that the people,
sere give willingly and literally to the Red Cross during the pres
emit canvass. We have got to do our share in every worthy caus5
ind there is nothing more worthy than aiding the distressed
wherever they may be found.
1t is not unlikely that the great calamity that has just befallen
somo of the coast cities of Chile where a great earthquake aid
tidal wave has claimed thousands of victims viii add tt the wori
that the Red Cross is called upon to do. 1t is something we owe
to on, fellow man and. naturally, the greatest and richeSt country
IN the world is expected to play a leading part.