Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-05
PRESIDENT ASSISTS RUSSIA
Appeal for Contributions to Aid Famine
Stricken is Issued.
WORK OF COMMITTEE IS APPROVED
chief Executive Declares the Empire
Has Been Friend of America
and should he Given
Assistance.
WORK OF COMMITTEE is APPROVED

WASHINGTON. March A-Declaring that
Russia has been a good friend to America
in the past. President Roosevelt in a letter
70 the Russian famine relief committee OF
New York. made public today, appeals for
contributions in behalf OF the famine sur
ferers In that country. With the letter he
sent his own check for SiOO He calls at
tention to the literally unparalleled pros
perity OF the country" and hopes that the
peopte out of their abundance will give
generously on this occasion. His letter is
In reply to one received from the commit
tee calling his attention to the urgent need
of assistance.
The correspondence follows;
NEW YORK. Feb IS. 1s07--To the Presl-
dent of the United states; Detailed re-
ports, received from RusslR, show that
millions OF people, afflicted by a terrible
famine, are In n starving condition. All
relief thus far organized has proved made
quate to cope with this great calamity,
which affects region half as large as the
continental territory of the United states.
Unless aid is forthcoming the loss OF life
will be incalculable
Funds sent Direct.
With a view OF showing In a helpful way
the deep sympathy which the people of the
United States feel for the people of Russia
in their distress. the Russian famine re-
lief committee has been formed to solicit
subscriptions in this country. Arrange
HltlllS nave Deel IndOt nl WHICH iit HOnty
solicited by this committee will go as
directly as possible to the relief Of the
suffering without delay or interruption.
Confident of your sympathy for these
fellow beings, we write to ask your aid
In calling the attention 81 the American
people TO the need of prompt and generous
contributions, and we shall also be pleased
II you can see At to recommend or suggest
our committee as the channel through
which these contributions may be sent.
GEORGE w KIRcHwEIcK,
Chairman Executive Committee.
SAMUEL BARROWS. Secretary.
Contributions addressed to the secretary
of the committee, Samuel J. Barrows, 1875
East Fifteenth street, New York City, will
be properly acknowledged and deposited
with the Morton Trust company.
Reply of President.
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON,
March ?. 1907.-Gentlemen; l have received
your communication of February & and 1
feel as all Americans must feel, the deepest
sympathy with the starving people In Rus
STA who are suffering under the terrible
disaster of famine. Russia has been a good
friend to America In the past and in adj
dition to our general feelings of sympathy
with any portion OF mankind, we must all
feel especial sympathy in this case. II Is
evident that early aid must be forthcoming
to prevent the most far-reaching suffering
and a dreadful loss of life. / am glad that
your committee has been formed 20 solicit
subscriptions I'm this country so as TO
show in a helpful way the deep fellow feel
ing OF our people for the people of Russia
IN their DISTRESS note that you say you
have made arrangements &c forward the
money you collect as directly as possible TO
| the relief OF the sufferers. l earnestly hope
that your appeal will not fall on deaf ears
! We in this country are now enjoying a
| period OF literally unprecedented prosper
| ity. Never before'in the history of any ma
| tion has the average of material well being
| been so high as here in our own land at
| this time l take this opportunity Of more
| clearly 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 that we have such cause for
THANKSGIVING. ! enclose my check for 500.
| Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The Russian Famine Relief Committed
| 1& East Fifteenth Street New York n Y