Mc Bride Sees Only Salvation for Ukrainian Jews in Food Drafts

Isaac McBride, well known writer, author of “Barbarous Soviet Russia”, lecturer and newspaperman, recently returned from an extensive trip through the Ukraine, the Donetz basin and the Crimea, paints a picture of pathos and horror of conditions as he found them in the territory which was the battle ground of Denikin, Wrangel, Petlura and the Poles, during the past four years.

“The idea that all need for relief in Russia is suddenly over is fantastic, “Mr. McBride declared. “People talk about the improvement there as if some magician had waved a wand over the country and brought prosperity to everyone, over night. It only shows how little people have gasped real conditions and the suffering that the inhabitants of southwestern Russia – especially the Jewish inhabitants have been through.

“The destruction carried out by the invading armies was wanton and almost incredible. There is no city, no factory, no railway station, no farm that has not suffered. And the unhappy Jews, when the invading “Whites” arrived, suffered not only in their property, but in their families as well. Thousands are fugitives, having fled before the invaders, and those who remained have paid a terrific price.

“With all the relief that has gone to Russia from the United States, outside of the food drafts that were sent to individuals by their relatives here, few Jews have received anything. They are in a desperate case today, and will be in worse case when next winter comes. Thousands are dying from all sorts of illnesses induced largely by insufficient food and lack of proper clothing.

“Money will not buy these essentials in most of the country, as there is nothing to buy with money. The only salvation of tens of thousands of Jews in Russia is through the Nansen food drafts and the relief packages that may be sent by Jews of America to help their families in Russia.”