The International Russian Famine Relief Commission, meeting it Brussels last
Saturday, urged the Governments to assist the various private organizations in their relief work, especially among the Russian children. The Commission proposed that the Governments should give both financial and material help to the famine-stricken, through the voluntary societies, but it said that an inquiry must precede the granting of Government aid. On the other hand, the Commission declined to recommend the granting of loans to the Bolsheviks until they recognized Russia's debts and gave guarantees for the future. The Com- mission pointed out that, until the Bolsheviks accepted the obligations devolving upon a Russian Government, they could not gain the confidence of foreign traders or attract foreign capital. The Commission has been most unfairly criticized, is if it had refused all help to the sufferers from the famine. As we read its decisions, the Commission drew a sharp distinction between the hungry peasantry and the Bolshevik tyrants. It would assist the one, but not the other.
Previous page
