1 TO THE CHARITABLE PEOPLE OF AMERICA The terrible scourge of war, which has devastated so many countries of Europe, has fallen
with fury upon Ireland, At the present moment the Irish Capitol and other cities and
towns are largely in ruins. In the language of a Relief Committee, headed by Reverend
Richard Bowden, Administrator of the Dublin Pro-Cathedral, '300 were slain during the insurrection,
15 were executed by Courts-martial, 134 have been condemned to penal servitude, 2650
were deported without trial, and 400 await sentence by Courts-martial.' All these calamities have produced a suspension of industry and reduced to idleness
practically the entire labouring population of Dublin and other places. Under any conditions, the families of those who were killed or taken captive would be
reduced to misery. But owning to the cessation of industry those who might be expected to relieve
them are themselves rendered destitute and this distress, growing every hour more acute,
must end, unless some relief be afforded, in total starvation of may and grievous suffering by
all that sorely afflicted populace. To relieve the families of those massacred and slain, as well as of those who are actually
starving or in danger of starvation, a fund is being raised, and this Committee appeals to
the whole body of the American people for contributions to aid this object, which is purely
humanitarian and charitable. In the language of the Committee in Ireland, 'we make our appeal to all human hearts,
whose noble compassion can reach over every obstacle to redress wrongs and alleviate suffering,
that they may co-operate in this merciful and righteous work, For the sake of our country we
make it, of our Nation's honor, and of our own, so that its high repute for justice shall be
transmitted by our generation unsullied to future and happier times.' New York, July 22, 1916