A SYMPATHETIC APPEAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 26

A SYMPATHETIC APPEAL

Tfie following facts are contained in a statement issued over the signature of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the PritisK Prime Minister, and other notable men at Home: — “The calamity which has befallen Russia should unite us all in pity and help fot the millions of her suffering peasantry. Throughout the wide regions of the olga a burning drought has destroyed the harvest. In the southern districts the grain has withered unharvested in the fields. In the north what has been gathered is less titan the seed that was sown. The peasants ha*e slaughtered their starving cattle and are wandering in great masses towards the south and east. There is a risk that as 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 the very lowest computation 10.000.000. Though relief is beinsr 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 the harvest, with some important local exceptions. has boon poor. There 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 the Communists. Russians of all parties are ■un'ting in the work of succour. The administration of the fund will be under the control of the Red Cross and “ Save the Children ” organisation. Of all the countries of Europe scourged by the ■war, none has suffered so terribly as Rusria. and none has received so little of the healing gift of sympathy. It will be well for the future of the world that broken links should be restored by a common effort to save life and alleviate pain.