Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-05
ROOSEVELT LENDS
A HELPING HAND
SENDS CHECK TO RUSSIAN
SUFFERERS
President Declares the United states
Is Enjoying Unparalleled Prosper
lty" and That Citizens Should
Give Literally
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
WASHINGTON. March 4-Declarlng
that Russia has been good friend to
the United States In the past, President
Roosevelt in a letter to the Russian
famine relief committee of New York,
made public today appeals for contribu-
tions in behalf of the famine sufferers
in that country.
With the letter he sent his own check
for 500. He calls attention to the
literally unparalleled prosperity of the
country" and hopes that the people out
of their abundance will give generously
on this occasion.
His letter is in reply to one received
from the committee calling his attention
to the urgent need of assistance. The
correspondence follows:
NEW YORK, Feb. 28.-The Presi-
dent: Detailed reports received from
Russia show that millions of people
afflicted by terrible famine are in u
starving condition. All relief thus far
arranged has proved inadequate to cope
with the great calamity which affects a
region half as large as the continental
territory of the United States. Unless
early relief is Forthcoming the loss Of
life will be incalculable.
Seek Uncle Sans Help
with a view of showing q helpful
way and deep sympathy which the peo-
pie of the United States feel for the peo-
pie of Russia In their distress, the Rus
sian famine relief committee has been
formed to solicit subscriptions in this
country. Arrangements have been made
by which money solicited by the COM
mittee will go directly as possible to the
relief of the suffering without delay or
duplication.
Confident of your sympathy for
these fellow beings, we ask your aid in
calling attention of the American peo-
pie to the need of prompt and generous
contributions, and we shall also be
pleased If you can see fit to recommend
or suggest our committee as the chan
mel through which these may be sent.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE w. KIRCHWAY,
Chairman Executive Committee"
Contributions addressed to the secre-
tary of the committee, Samuel j. Bar
rows, 135 East Thirty-f1fth street, New
York city, will be properly acknowl-
edged and deposited with the Morton
Trust company.
Presidents Reply
THE WHITE HOUSE. washington.
March 4, 1907-Gentlemen: 1 have re-
ceived your communication of February
2S and I feel as all Americans must
feel, the deepest sympathy with the
starving people in Russia, who are suf-
fering under the terrible disaster of
| famine. Russia has been a good friend
to America in the past, and in addition
to our general feelings of sympathy
with any portion of mankind, we must
all feel especially sympathetic in this
case. 1t is evident that early aid must
| be forthcoming to prevent the most far
reaching suffering and dreadful loss of
life.
II am glad that your committee has
been formed to solicit subscriptions in
this country so as to show in a helpful
way the deep fellow feeling of our peo-
pie for the people of Russia in their
distress. 1 am glad you have made ar
rangements to forward the money you
collect as direct as possible to the
famine sufferers!
II sincerely hope that your appeal
will not fall upon deaf ears. We in this
country are now enjoying a period of
literally unprecedented prosperity
Never before in the history of any ma
tion has the average of material well
being been so high as here. in our land
at this time. I take this opportunity
of most heartily joining with you in
your appeal to our people that out of
their abundance they shall generously
contribute to those who are in such
dire need at the very time we have
such cause for Thanksgiving. 1 inclose
my check for $100. Sincerely,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"