6 Willi Münzenberg and the Workers’ International Relief

Humanitarianism in the Modern World

“…Consequently, its efforts were concentrated on medical relief. 205 Motivating and legitimising famine relief on the basis of self-interest caused a sense of unease, especially in the SCF and among the Quakers. Hoover was also warned by a US senator to 'not dilute our generosity with any selfish purposes'.…”

“…204 Robertson also drew attention to the questionable practise that, according to the standardised system, the same amount of nourishment was provided to a young person of 14 as to a four-year-old child, and that 15-year-olds were considered adults and received nothing. 205 While the statutes of the SCF did not permit feeding adults with its own financial resources, the 'vital necessity' for this was acknowledged early on. 206 The dilemma was addressed indirectly, but with a moral undertone.…”

“…The ARA, approving this strategy, requested that local branches mention their parent organisation when purchasing in bulk (something apparently often neglected). 205 At the end of the relief operation, the ARA claimed that its relief was a 'miracle of God' for the 'Russian common people', coming to them 'under the stars and stripes'. The ARA not only brought food, but 'demonstrated that at least one organisation could exist and succeed in Russia without submission to dictation'.…”