Distress Among Jewish Population of Latvia

The distress among all sections of the Jewish population, especially in Riga, is assuming catastrophic dimensions, says an appeal issued here by the Jewish Emergency Belief Committee. Tragic times have suddenly come upon Latvian Jewry, it proceeds. The crisis is claiming new victims every day. hundreds of Jewish families have been completely ruined. Thousands of Jewish souls in Riga have not a crust of bread. #er-chants, shopkeepers and artisans, who never knew what it was to ask for charity, are compelled to beg for help, and there are not enough funds to help them all. The number of people in want is growing from day to day, and the Jewish Emergency Relief Committee is unable to cope with the distress. Thousands are in need of help. We appeal to the entire Jewish population, the Relief Committee says, to try to save the situation. Thousands are literally suffering from hunger and cold. Hearttbreaking scenes take place in thousands of Jewish homes. Unless something urgent is done thousands of Jews in Latvia will starve to death.