The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1920. EPIDEMICS IN POLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1920. EPIDEMICS IN POLAND.

The terrible state of afr&irs in Poland consequent on epndemics of typhus and cholera, is causing much anxiety to the delegates to the League of Nations, by wfaom an appeal has been made for fufods for relief purposes. Thy PolW have suffered greatly in their efforts to regain national independence, and allowances have to be\ made for acts on their part which were certainly not in their best interests. At the same time they have been severely handicapped in many ways, and it is particularly hard upon thein that after' struggling desperately under arms, they should be in the grip of a foe far more deadly than any' human organisation—the stealthy, silent forces of typhus and cholera that can strike down victims by thousands, and can only be fought by skilled organisation and isolation. It is the lack of isolation hospitals in Poland that has enabled the epidemics to spread throughout the country and become a menace to the clean parts of Europe and the world in general. Ju these days, when communication and transport facilities are so general, there is no knowing how far, or in what directions outbreaks of virulent epidemics may spread. Apart from this menace, humanitarianism impels all civilised peoples to ren'der aid to a disease stricken country. So that the League of Nations, in appealing for help, is demonstrating that its mission is human as well as diplomatic, and also stresses the fact that an outbreak' such

as is now attacking Poland is a matter of international importance. There are times when such terrible visitations merely cause a feeling of sorrow and pity, but in view of the fact that the greater part of Europe and Asia is ripe for fostering and spreading epidemics, it behoves the nations to take prompt and effective measures, in concert, to stamp out a menace that may otherwise prove world-wide. Sir James Allen has communicated with the New Zealand Government with the object of enlisting the sympathy and aid of the Government and the people in combatting the epidemic iii Poland, so that it may be presumed that steps will be taken to respond to this appeal. Serious as is the task, it can be ace-omplished if the requisite aid is forthcoming by all the members of the League. With China in the grip of famine, Poland deeimated by typhus and cholera, Russia ready to become a hotbed for any disease, the situation is not without anxiety though if it is, to be free from alarm there must be no delay in stamping out the epidemics, and it will be necessary for the strictest watch to be kept over all vessels arriving in the Dominion from overseas, as it would be criminal folly to relax for an instant that unceasing vigilance whereby alone dangerous epidemics can enter this country.