Statement by Relief Commission

The Commission for Polish Relief, Inc., today issued the following statement on the status of its activities in Poland:

“The exact position with regard to relief in occupied Poland is as follows:

“On November 19th we received word to the effect that the German Government in principle had agreed to the relief activity of the Commission for Polish Relief in occupied Poland. Nine days later our treasurer, Mr. Frederic C. Walcott, and Mr. Rhoads and Mr. Gamble (of the Friends Service Committee) reached Berlin to negotiate with the German Government for a complete written agreement covering the the relief operation in occupied Poland. The agreement so far obtained would permit our relief work in the occupied territory. However, our representatives in Berlin are still negotiating certain points, to secure satisfactory representation in the field.

“Meanwhile, we have already started certain relief supplies, now en route to occupied Poland. The first shipment of 15,000 gallons of cod liver oil, purchased in Norway and destined for needy children in the city of Warsaw, is now due at Stettin. This is to be shortly followed by shipments of woolen goods and clothing.

“We would like to establish one point clearly: The executives and the field representatives of the Commission for Polish Relief have had wide and varied experience in the technique of relief. Most of our staff have previously served in either the Commission for Relief in Belgium or the American Relief Administration–some, in both. All this experience is being used in our present relief operation. And we give this definite assurance to our donors and supporters: that the relief goods which we distribute will go to the needy, efficiently and fairly. Some of us have previously worked in relief operations with the Germans and have found them to be exact in carrying out their agreements.”