The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-04
HELP THE RUSSIANS.
President Roosevelt Leads by Sub
scribing 500.

Washington, March 4-Declaring thai
Russia has been a good friend tc
| America in the past President Roose-
welt in a letter to the Russian famine
relief committee of New York, made
public today appeals for contributions
in behalf of the famine sufferers in
that country. With the letter he sent
his own check for 800. He calls at
tention 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 the one re-
attention to the urgent need of assist
ance.
The correspondence follows:
New York, Feb. %, 1907.
THE President of the United States:
Detailed reports received from Russia
show that millions of people afflicted
by a terrible famine are in a Starv-
ing condition. All relief thus far or
ganized has proved inadequate to cope
with the great calamity which affects
region half as large as the continent
tai territory of the United States I'm
less early aid is forthcoming the loss
of life will be incalculable.
with a view of showing in a help
full way the deep sympathy which the
people of the United States feel for the
people of Russia In their distress. the
Russian famine relief committee has
been formed to solicit subscriptions II
this country. Arrangements have been
made by which the money solicited by
this committee will go as directly as
possible to the relief of the suffering
without delay or duplication.
Confident of your sympathy for
these fellow beings, we write to ask
your aid in calling the attention OF
the American people to the need CT
prompt and generous contributions and
we shall also be pleased if you can see
fit to recommend or suggest our COM
mittee as the channel through which
these may be sent.
Very respectfully,
GEO. w. KIRCHWEY,
Chairman Executive COMMITTEES.
SAMUEL ]. BARROWS, Secretary
Contributions addressed to the sec
rotary of the committee, Samuel J.
New York city. will be properly ac-
and deposited with the
Morton Trust company.
The Presidents Reply.
THE White House, Washington, March
2. 1907.
communication of February Is, and I
felt as ali Americans must feel the
deepest sympathy with the starving
people in Russia who are suffering I'M
der the terrible disaster OF tanine,
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 especial sympathy in this case.
1t is evident that early aid must oe
forthcoming to prevent the most far
reaching suffering and a dreadful LOGS
of life. 1 am glad that your commit
tee has been formed to solicit su5scrip-
tions in this country so as to show IN
a helpful way the deep fellow feeling
Of our people for the people of Russia
in their distress. 1 note that you say
you have made arrangements % fer
ward the money you collect a. directly
as possible to the relief of the suf-
ferers I earnestly hope that your ap-
peal will not fall upon deaf ears. We
in this country are now enjoying
period of literally unprecedented pros
perity Never before in the history of
any nation has the average of material
we'll being been so high as here in our
own land at this time. 1 take this OPP
portunity of most heartily joining with
you in your appeal to our people that
put of their abundance they shall gen.
contribute to those who are in
such dire need at the very time that
we have such cause for Thanksgiving.
enclose my check for 800.
Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"