Herbert Hoover to William B. Poland

CableTo
CREVOOH, Poland,London.
----Would like you to present the following with the British National Committee to Mr. Lloyd George as from me as head of the Relief, not as a government official - Quote - As Chairman of the Belgian Relief I wish to again ask your personal intervention upon behalf of these suffering people. Three years ago upon my personal appeal you intervened to save the Relief and established it firmly as an unparalleled enterprise in humanity with the full sympathy and generous financial support of the British peoples. That action, which cost much in sacrifice to the British people by its demonstration of their true and broad humane objectives in the war, became one of the most potent forces in the conviction of the American people of the Allies' just cause. At our adherence to the Allied cause our government considered its obligations included a participation in the maintenance of these people who have suffered first and continue to suffer most from barbarism and in so doing we have not only taken our share of a burden and humane duty but we have all of us in the midst of the freezing flood of war contributed to keep alive in the hearts of our peoples its higher aims. The problem today is ships. Our people have stripped to the bone to furnish transport of supplies and men for Allied support. We can furnish no tonnage unless sacrifice is made somewhere in these directions. The tonnage required is so pitiable either in transport of men or supplies in the vast totals as to seem to justify the risk. Today to consign the Belgian people to starvation after three and one half years of almost unendurable suffering and steadfast loyalty and service in the Allied cause is indeed a terrible fate and it will destroy an invisible but great spiritual force among our two peoples worse than the loss of a great battle. I feel that without Your Excellency's intervention and positive instruction the Relief cannot be saved and a direction from yourself to your authorities and a communication of your approval of necessary diversions to our President would yield solution by our joint shipping authorities.