498

5.

condition of the people whom we hope to save the committee organization
and plans should be perfected as well as possible without waiting for
the literature.

IMMEDIATE STEPS

1. Give the substance of the cablegrams and news item from this
bulletin to all editors within your reach personally requesting
publication.

2. Without waiting for literature or for some other man to take the
lead call an early committee meeting and organize for work before
it is too late.

3. If there is no committee organize one.

4. Write to all pastors, Protestant, Catholic and Jews asking them to
reserve November 18th for Armenian Syrian relief.

5. Arrange for a public meeting that will bring the facts before the
general public.

6. Without waiting for the public meeting or other time killing intermediate
steps open an office, compile lists of prospective contributors
for personal solicitation and organize ready for effective
work as soon as new literature is available which will be with
in one week.

LARGE GIFTS

Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon the securing of large gifts
in some degree proportionate to the terrible need.

Collections and small contributions are important, both financially
and spiritually, but in every city there are prosperous, well-to-do
individuals who should be approached personally by the committee and asked
to give one thousand, five thousand, ten thousand dollars or more out of
their abundance te [to] relieve Armenian and Syrian distress. One individual
has contributed over $100,000, another $90,000, another $25,000. Such
contributions purchase more bread, flour, blankets and medicines and save
more lives than many small collections, important as small collections are.

(a) Secure a list of the more prosperous citizens of the community, including
the names of persons who have recently given large sums for supplementary
meals for Belgian children. Since the United States and other
governments have provided funds with which to care for Belgian relief,
these individuals will in many instances be willing to have these contributions
given to buy not supplementary meals but the first crust of bread
with which to sustain life among Armenians, Syrians and Greeks of Asia.

(b) Prepare a large list of smaller contributors to whom a letter should
go over the names of the local committee asking them to send contributions
to the local treasurers. Leaflets for enclosure in such solicitation
will be sent upon request. Social, telephone and business directories
will furnish the basis for such lists if more select lists are not
available. The important point is to get the work started promptly before
large numbers of these unfortunate people have been taken by death beyond
our power to help. Some one in each city and community must take the lead
and take it at great personal sacrifice.