Paul F. Mueller to William B. McAdoo
Title
Paul F. Mueller to William B. McAdoo
Creator
Mueller, Paul F., 1857-1923
Identifier
WWP25482
Date
1918 November 13
Description
Request that the US follow through on its pledges for food relief for Germany.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Food relief--1910-1920
Emergency food supply--Germany
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
TELEGRAM
N 70 CH EZ 572 N L e EXTRA
Chicago ILLS Nov 13 1918
William G McAdoo
Secy of the Treasury Washington DC
In his great and inspiring message and in a spirit filled with noble sympathy for the sufferings of the peoples of the Central Powers, the President declared himself in favor of a plan for bringing early and substantial relief to the starving civilian population of the countries lately at war with the United States. In his magnanimous reply to the official Germany cry for help, the President also promised to render substantial assistance to save the people of that country from the horrors of starvation. Millions of hearts of Americans and especially the hearts of the vast number of our loyal citizens of German and Austro Hungarian descent whose parents, brothers, or sisters or other near relatives are among those innocent sufferers are now filled with gratitude in the fervent hope of an early and generous realization of the President’s high-minded incentive for the relief of these starving victims of the terrible catastrophe of the gigantic war. Long before the entry of the United States into the conflict and with strict observance of the President’s neutrality proclamation, special societies were organized by American citizens in most of the larger cities of our country for the relief of the distress prevailing among the civilian populations of Germany and Austria Hungary but upon the declaration by the Congress that a state of war existed between the United States and the governments of these countries all these societies immediately suspended the charitable work which called them into existence and ever since refrained from any activities whatever. The President would now in furtherance of the spirit of humane endeavor so forcibly advocated by him permit these organizations to resume their work of charity. They could at once be utilized in a combined and systematic effort for the collection of only clothing and foodstuffs for use in the direction where help is now so urgently needed. In many states a number of such societies are in dormant existence but could quickly be revised for active work. I am sure that many thousands of our citizen full of anxiety as to the fate of their relatives abroad would be grateful to you if you could see your way clear to interest yourself in this matter and to submit this telegram to the President at his and your earliest convenience. Of course nothing is contemplated to in any way interfere with the present war work collection and until after the termination of this weeks campaign nor of course with the operations of the National Food Administration nor would thereby the placing of future liberty bonds or the various humanitarian efforts approved by our government be in the least impeded but rather furthered and their general support all the elements of our population be made still more enthusiastic if the President should give his approval to the plan. All collections made by these charitable societies could be expended or shipped for distribution under the supervision of our government or of such other agencies as our government may designate. As early relief seems to be necessary to save thousands of women and children from starvation and likely to prove a preventative of that despair which may lead [to] chaos and anarchy, I beseech you to give this telegram your early consideration and to advise me by wire and at my expense of whatever decision may be reached.
Paul F. Mueller
Editor, Chicago Abendpost 11:03 PM
N 70 CH EZ 572 N L e EXTRA
Chicago ILLS Nov 13 1918
William G McAdoo
Secy of the Treasury Washington DC
In his great and inspiring message and in a spirit filled with noble sympathy for the sufferings of the peoples of the Central Powers, the President declared himself in favor of a plan for bringing early and substantial relief to the starving civilian population of the countries lately at war with the United States. In his magnanimous reply to the official Germany cry for help, the President also promised to render substantial assistance to save the people of that country from the horrors of starvation. Millions of hearts of Americans and especially the hearts of the vast number of our loyal citizens of German and Austro Hungarian descent whose parents, brothers, or sisters or other near relatives are among those innocent sufferers are now filled with gratitude in the fervent hope of an early and generous realization of the President’s high-minded incentive for the relief of these starving victims of the terrible catastrophe of the gigantic war. Long before the entry of the United States into the conflict and with strict observance of the President’s neutrality proclamation, special societies were organized by American citizens in most of the larger cities of our country for the relief of the distress prevailing among the civilian populations of Germany and Austria Hungary but upon the declaration by the Congress that a state of war existed between the United States and the governments of these countries all these societies immediately suspended the charitable work which called them into existence and ever since refrained from any activities whatever. The President would now in furtherance of the spirit of humane endeavor so forcibly advocated by him permit these organizations to resume their work of charity. They could at once be utilized in a combined and systematic effort for the collection of only clothing and foodstuffs for use in the direction where help is now so urgently needed. In many states a number of such societies are in dormant existence but could quickly be revised for active work. I am sure that many thousands of our citizen full of anxiety as to the fate of their relatives abroad would be grateful to you if you could see your way clear to interest yourself in this matter and to submit this telegram to the President at his and your earliest convenience. Of course nothing is contemplated to in any way interfere with the present war work collection and until after the termination of this weeks campaign nor of course with the operations of the National Food Administration nor would thereby the placing of future liberty bonds or the various humanitarian efforts approved by our government be in the least impeded but rather furthered and their general support all the elements of our population be made still more enthusiastic if the President should give his approval to the plan. All collections made by these charitable societies could be expended or shipped for distribution under the supervision of our government or of such other agencies as our government may designate. As early relief seems to be necessary to save thousands of women and children from starvation and likely to prove a preventative of that despair which may lead [to] chaos and anarchy, I beseech you to give this telegram your early consideration and to advise me by wire and at my expense of whatever decision may be reached.
Paul F. Mueller
Editor, Chicago Abendpost 11:03 PM
Original Format
Letter
To
McAdoo, William Gibbs, 1863-1941
Files
Collection
Citation
Mueller, Paul F., 1857-1923, “Paul F. Mueller to William B. McAdoo,” 1918 November 13, WWP25482, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.