Supplement to Labour Press Service: Christmas gifts for Spain: an urgent appeal

              SUPPLEMENT TO THE LABOUR PRESS SERVICE   14th December, 1938.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SPAIN
An Urgent Appeal
The Labour Party makes a special Christmas appeal for gifts for the people of Republican Spain.  The appeal points out that though Austria has disappeared and Czechoslovakia is no longer a bastion of Democracy in Central Europe, in Spain the fight still goes on through a third winter of war.  The Republican Government is determined to defend the independence and national sovereignty of the Spanish people.     It has declared that there can be no solution to the war until international rights have been restored, and all foreign troops, technicians and war material, which are destroying their country, have been withdrawn.
Constant appeals are being received from men on the Spanish battle-front, that they should be remembered.     They are convinced that sustained resistance is necessary, not only for the independence of Spain, but also for the prestige of the Democracies and the defence of Liberty throughout the world.     A recent letter concluded with an irresistible appeal:
"Since we, as men, are giving our lives for supreme ideal, or leaving behind on the, battlefield all that makes life worth living, it is fitting that you others should try to lessen the sufferings of our children and our oId people."
They are confident of victory, and they do not doubt that they will receive the assistance which they ask from us.  It is our duty and privilege to respond to their appeal with a new generosity and enthusiasm.
Food Shortage is Acute
Incontestable evidence of acute food shortage in Republican Spain is given in the independent Report made at the Spanish Government's request to the Council of the League of Nations by Sir Denys Bray and Mr. L. Webster.  The Report stated that this shortage is due to the necessity for maintaining and equipping on Army in the field;  to the severance of Republican Spain from its inland districts of supply;  to the air blockade of its ports, especially Barcelona and Valencia;  the Withdrawal of labour from the land;  and to the great influx of refugees (without any means of support) from non-Republican Spain.   By mid-winter these refugees may number 3,000,000.   The Report added:
"The whole population is on minimum rations;    supplies are uncertain and irregular, and with the exception of the daily "bread ration of 6 ozs. the rations actually obtainable often fall short of the rations allotted on paper.     While we were struck by the morale of the people, the effects of malnutrition are visible everywhere among the refugees and the poorest classes of the population, and it must become acute with the passing of the summer sun and vegetation."
The necessities, in order of need, are:   Milk, sugar, flour, cereals, soap, medical supplies, clothing and boots.
The "Milk for Spain" Fund
In Barcelona there are 200,000 children.     The International Solidarity Fund is serving 33,000 glasses of milk and a biscuit every morning to children on their arrival at school.     The Mayor of Barcelona also receives regular quantities of milk from this Fund for the hospitals, outdoor relief, and refugee homes. In Catalonia 100,000 school children are receiving their morning milk from the Fund.     Twenty-three separate consignments of milk and milk powder have been safely delivered in Spain.     More than £26,000 has been subscribed and spent.   But more money is urgently needed. It is easily possible for those of small means and big hearts to send milk to Spain.