Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-06-21
SOLDIERS WANT BOOKS.
Appeal for an American Library In
Manila.

IzatiOn composed mainly OF the wives
and daughters of officers of the army
and navy, calls public attention to
copy of letter received by one OF it5
members from Mrs. c. R. Greenleaf.
The writer, at Manila. says: 'Yester-
day afternoon I met Mrs. --- on
the Lunetta and she read me your let
ter in which you suggest my writing
to you about the library here. I am
only too happy to do so and to enlist
your sympathy and good work in the
states 10 help us along. We need
financial aid now as we'll as books,
for as you know Gen. Otis did not feel
he could give me building or rooms
for this purpose and so | was forced
to rent at high rate and also to
meet the salary of our able and con-
scientious librarian, Mrs. Egbert, her
assistant and all the other expenses
incident to such a work. l greatly
hope the women of America will take
up this work which is intended as a
memorial to all our dead who have
given their lives for their country's
cause, and should therefore be a mon
ument of which our country should be
proud. So far, after such struggles l
hope never to meet again, our rooms
are opened with about four thousand
volumes on our shelves, many of the
books but poorly bound, soiled and
worn, but some are well worthy being
NN1D nf ft,t,,
ness. Our reading room, with maya
zines and about ten papers sent regu-
larly from the states, are we'll patron
lied, and from thirty to forty officers
aud men are daily enjoying the privi-
lege of quiet reading. To this room
we ask the contribution of papers from
every city and a copy of all the lead
ing journals from the United States.
We have distributed over 1000 maya
zines and numberlesS papers to the
troops in the field and hospitals, also
about 600 paper covered novels. Crate
full letters and appeals for more come
by every mail. This work, of course,
needs money, and While books are
most acceptable, money is more needed
until we get thoroughly established |
put a bill before congress, but so far
have heard nothing from it, the sum
asked was probably too small to ap-
peal to them-only $4,000, but it would
meas much to us here, for unless aid
comes soon l cannot keep the library
open. Most of the officers in the Phil
ippines, if married, are as you know
supporting two establishments-the
family at home or here and the officer
in the field, hence we cannot look for
much aid from them and surely those
who stay at home ought to be willing
to afford this recreation of the mind
to those who have the hardships OF
war in foreign country. The cti-
zens, mostly foreigners, we will not
ask to help American heroes, so un-
less our country supports us, we must
acknowledge to failure. | think | can
with great economy, keep things going
for a couple of months or three at the
greatest, but not longer, but my faith
is strong that ere then help will come.
At least | have the satisfaction of
knowing that have tried to do work
that | believe is more appreciated than
almost any that has been done. The
men are now urging that we keep the
rooms open at night, but we cannot
TO this until we are able to put cleo
trio lights in the library, as coal-oll is
too dangerous in these flimsy build
ings. | hope in time to be able to
overcome these obstacles. | hope you
VIII help us with your good words and
work"
This letter speaks for self and il
placed before the American people,
Mrs. Greenleaf will probably not long
want for means to continue the good
work she has begun with but little as
sistance If small contributions come
from many persons in every section OF
the United States, there would soon
be a fund with which to support
suitable library in Manila, which
means so much to our soldiers, sailors
and citizens in that city.
This library is intended as a memo
rial to the American heroes who have
given their lives for their country and
it is hoped that every American man
and woman who reads this will take
personal interest in this American Ii
brary, and will help to make this me-
mortal fund a success. The Woman's
Army and Navy league will act as
Mrs. Greenleafs representative in this
country. Contributions should be
made payable to treasurer memorial
library fund" and forwarded to Mrs.
Marshall l. Ludington, vice president
of the Woman's Army and Navy
league, care of General NJ. l. Luding-
ton, auartermaster general, war de-
y