Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 32

Repository:

German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library

Extent:

0.02 linear feet (2 folders)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

American Committee for Relief of German Children ephemera collection, Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library, German Society of Pennsylvania

Date:

1924

Creator:

Thomas, Wilbur K., (Wilbur Kelsey), 1882-1953

Form:

Brochures, Clippings (information artifacts), Manuscripts, American--20th century, and Printed ephemera

Abstract:

Collection of two brochures and six clippings concerning the American Committee for Relief of German Children, a relief effort to aid undernourished children in Germany, initiated in December 1923 by Major General Henry T. Allen, who had commanded the American forces in Germany following the First World War. The aid was administered by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), of the American Quakers, who had carried on feeding operations in Central Europe immediately following the war until 1922 and now renewed their work in Germany.

The American Committee for the Relief of German Children was initiated in December 1923 by Henry T. Allen, who had been the commander of the American Forces in Germany after World War I, from 1919 to 1923. He called the Committee into being upon observing persisting food shortages in Germany, due to distressed economic conditions. The American Friends Services Committee (AFSC) had conducted feeding operations in Germany immediately after the end of the war, but had withdrawn in 1922. In view of the continuing need, Allen sought to raise funds to prevent starvation, and turned to the AFSC to administer the aid. The AFSC was responsible for purchasing, transporting and distributing food in Germany.

Collection of two brochures and six clippings concerning the American Committee for Relief of German Children. One of the brochures is issued from the New York City headquarters of the Committee, and the other is issued from the Minnesota headquarters. In the latter, the appeal is tailored at points to the audience in Minnesota. The clippings were prepared by Ivy L. Lee, a press agent in New York City; they are dated 12 to 13 February 1924 and concern public reaction, especially related to the relief effort on behalf of German children, in light of the perceived insult to the United States when the German embassy in Washington D.C. failed to put the flag at half mast immediately upon receipt of the news of the death of Woodrow Wilson.