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Show AMERICANS ARE TO FEED THE HUNGRY New York Nov 1 The Rockefeller Rockefel-ler Foundation has determined to employ em-ploy its immense resources for the relief of non-combatants In the countries coun-tries afflicted by the war and stands ready to give "millions of dolhirs if necessary" for the purpose. This was announced tonight by John D Rockefeller, jr., president of the foundation. foun-dation. In pursuance of this philanthropy, the foundation will send a commission to Europe In a few days to report first hand as to how, when and where aid can be rendered most effectively. At a cost of $275,000 it already has chartered char-tered a ship and loaded It with 4000 tons of provisions for the relief of the starving Belgians. "This action is taken," Mr. Rockefeller Rocke-feller says, "as a natural step in fulfilling ful-filling the chartered purposes of the foundation, namely, 'to promote the well being of mankind throughout the world.' " The ship is the Massapequa, the largest neutral vessel now in New York harbor, and It wil sail Tuesday morning direct for Rotterdam with a certification from the British consul nt New York that its cargo is destined for the use of Belgian nencomhatants only and should not be delayed In transit The supplies nre consigned to the American consul at Rotterdam and will he distributed by the Belgian Bel-gian relief commission. Mr Rockefeller has been in communication com-munication with Ambassador Page at London and made public a cablegram cable-gram in which the ambassador describes de-scribes thr- dire need of the Bcigi ans and says that "It wil require a million dollars a month for seven or eight months to prevent starvation." Many Will Starve. In fact,' the ambassador said. ' many will stnne now before food can reach them." He added that the British government forbids the export of food and that none can be bought on the continent. It was in response to this urgent ; message and a similar one from H C. Hoover of thp American r lief committee com-mittee in London thai the foundation decided to send a relief ship "at the earliest possible moment " Mr Rockefeller makes clear in his announcement that whatever steps are taken by the foundation in the ad- i ministration of its relief work they will be "absolutely neutrol." The commission of investigation will be lieadeij by Wyckliffe Rose director t-'rmeral of the international health commission, and will visit the several countries affected by the war The announcement follows "It having become clear that one of the mo6t terrible and appaling effects ef-fects of the war will fall upon th'' noncombatants those most innocent of any part in the case or conduct Of the conflict the Rockefeller foundation foun-dation has determined to exert itself to the extent, If necessary, of millions of dollars, for the relief of noncombatants noncom-batants in the various countries in-voh in-voh ed. "This action is taken as a natural step In fulfilling the chartered purposes purpo-ses of the foundation, namely, 'to pro mote the well being of mankind throughout the world' "1 have written the American ambassador am-bassador In London that we foresee the probability that large resources will be very much needed for rehabilitation rehabili-tation at a time when the resources now being drawn upon for immediate relief will be perhaps very nearly exhausted. ex-hausted. Under the circumstances we feel the need of further advice Will Send Commission. "In order to obtain expert opinion as to the time, place and means of rendering aid most effectively, the foundation has arranged to send to Europe within the next few days a commission which shall visit the countries coun-tries affected and advise us first hand The chairman of the commission will be Wyckliffe Rose, director general of the international health commission, commis-sion, whose successful experience in organizing the campaign against hookworm hook-worm disease In venous parts of the world peculiarly fits him for tho task. We are also seeking to enlist the co-operation of one or two others, experienced ex-perienced in the administration of relief re-lief to those in need. "The sending of such a mission will not render unnecessary the efforts of other agencies of relief, for the need Is widespread and millions of people are suffering. All steps which the Rockefeller foundation takes will, of course, be absolutely neutral. |