BR, BISHOP OF CHICHESTER AND VICTOR GOLLANCZ TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, 11 OCT. 1945
BRACERS 68555. TL(CAR). McMaster. B&R C45.23
Proofread by K. Blackwell

Cambridge, England.
11 October, 1945.

To the Editor of The New York Times1

Together with the Master of Balliol, Prof. Gilbert Murray, and others, we recently addressed an appeal to the British public, calling attention to the desperate plight of the Germans, mainly old men, women and children, who have been expelled from their homes in eastern Germany and the Sudetenland. Many are dying: many millions, it has been stated in responsible papers, will die this winter if nothing is done. Burgomasters have been instructed to have graves dug now, since the people will be too weak to dig them in a few months’ time.

In response to this appeal many people have signified their willingness to have their rations cut, “if thereby alone men, women and children of whatever nationality may be saved from intolerable suffering”. Many others ask for abolition of the present ban on voluntary gifts of food to Europe, which might be sent as and when they could be spared.

Meanwhile some of us still receive food parcels from the United States, which we are not allowed to pass on to those whose need is so much greater. These gifts from our American friends have been a most welcome addition to our austere but adequate diet; but there are, we feel sure, few people in England who can comfortably accept little luxuries which are not strictly necessary while they know that not far away children cry for bread. We therefore suggest that those who acquired the habit of sending food parcels to England while other countries were inaccessible should send them now, through a relief organization, to be distributed wherever they are most needed.

Yours faithfully

• 1

  New York TimesBR sent this letter to Gilbert Murray for signature on 29 September (record 52410), but Murray declined to sign it. Patricia Russell, on 3 October (record 56321), sent it to Gollancz to forward to the New York Times with any other signatures collected.