Truly, “War is hell!”

RELIEF FOR BELGIAN SUFFERERS

Following the invasion and over-running of Belgium by the Germans, the problem of feeding the Belgian population became an urgent one.  The invaders left the problem largely to the charitable sympathies of the civilized world, and from almost every quarter of the globe aid was sent in money or provisions for the stricken people.  In spite of the enormous war drains upon the resources of the British Empire, every one of the Overseas Dominions did its full share in Belgian relief, while the United States, through the Rockefeller Foundation and other agencies, as well as the South American countries, also contributed to alleviate the suffering in the little kingdom.  The contributions continued during more than two years and the relief was administered most efficiently by means of commissions.

RELIEF ASKED FOR SERBIA

On April 3, 1915, the leading United States newspapers printed an appeal received from Nish, the war capital of Serbia, which set forth a terrible situation in terms that confirmed a report already made public by Sir Thomas Lipton, who dedicated his famous steam yacht, the Erin, as a hospital ship for use in the Mediterranean, and visited Serbia in February and March.  The appeal was dated February 23 and said in substance as follows: 

“Typhus is raging in Serbia, and unless immediate aid be sent the mortality will be appalling.  “Typhus is a filth disease and is spread by lice, which flourish only in dirt.  There are not enough buildings to house the sick and they lie huddled together on dirty straw.

“They have not changed their clothes for six months, and consequently personal cleanliness, which is absolutely essential in checking the disease, is impossible.  They cannot get proper nourishment, as there is not enough available, nor is there money to buy it if it were.

“The doctors can usually only work for two weeks before contracting the disease, as they have no means of protecting themselves.  Yet they volunteer for typhus hospitals, knowing that they are probably going to their death, for the mortality is over 50 per cent.

“The following four things are most urgently needed: 

“1.  Tents and portable chicken runs, as these make excellent houses.  There is no lumber in Serbia, so nothing can be built here.

“2.  Beds and bed linen.  It is impossible to keep straw free from lice.

“3.  Underclothing.  Dirty clothes make an ideal breeding place for lice.

“4.  Disinfectants and whitewash.

“Speedy help is essential, as every day’s delay costs hundreds of lives.”

The response to this touching appeal was immediate and generous, Germans and Austrians in America contributing freely.  A large amount of cash and supplies for the Austrian prisoners was sent to the American consul at Nish, who was also acting consul for Germany and Austria in Serbia.