A SYMPATHETIC APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18540, 28 April 1922, Page 7

A SYMPATHETIC APPEAL

The following facts are contained in a statement issued over the signature of the Archbishop of 'Aintorbury. the Lord Chancellor,. the Finish Prime Minister, and other notable men at Homo: — “ The calamity which has befallen Russia should unite us all in pity and help for tho millions of her suffering peasantry. Throughout tho wide regions of the'Volga a burning drought line destroyed the harvest. In tlio southern districts the grain has withered unharvested in tho fields. In the north what has been gathered is less than tho seed that was sown. Tho peasants have slaughtered their starving cattle and are wandering in great masses towards thci south and oast. There is a, risk that (is they move they will carry with them the epidemics that follow hunger. The totally destitute population of these stricken districts, which will perish unless prompt help is rendered numbers at tho very lowest computation 10,000,000. Though relief is being organised in Russia her resources ■ cannot suffice for the emergency. ‘ Russia is staggering under the effects of seven years of war, civil war, and revolution. The drought, moreover, has been general, and for two successive years tho harvest, with some important local exceptions, has been poor. Therp is no reserve of wealth to meet this need. The appeals from Russia are echoed by the councils of exiles in Paris, which represent the groups most) resolutely opposed to tho Communists. Russians of all parties are uniting in tho xvork of succour.

The administration of tho fund will be under the control of the Red Cross and “Save tho _ Children ” organisation.' Of all the countries of Europe scourged by tho war, none has suffered so terribly as Russia, and none has received so little of the healing gift of sympathy. It will be well for the future of tjie world that broken links should bo restored by a common effort to save life and alleviate pain. , '