Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-23
SOUTH SLAVIC COUNCIL
PLANS PATRIOTIC BODY
To Organize 700, 900 Countrymen in
United States to Support Stars
and Stripes.

Here is the first "pour-out" from the
melting pot" which the entry Of the
United States into the world war Is ex-
pected to start a-boiling in this coun-
try among former aliens.
According to circular issued by the
South Slavic National Council, with
headquarters in the Southern building.
in this city. a movement is on foot to
organize the 700. 900 Slavs in the United
States into a patriotic American body.
to render such service to the United
States as may be possible, military. in
dustrial and agricultural.
Live In All States.
The circular says. in part:
There are about 100000 southern
Slavs in the United States 100000
Croats. 100000 Slovenes and 100000
serbs). and they live in all the states
are the colonies of the seafaring south
ern Slavs in New York city, Philadel-
phta and New Orleans. and the pioneer
colonies in California The most numer-
GUS and strongest colonies are those
in the industrial states of Pennsylva-
mia. Michigan and Illinois, as well as in
Ohio. Minnesota, Montana and Arizona.
In the states Of Washington and Mis-
sissippi the southern Slavs are mostly
fishermen: those in California mostly
ers. and engaged in fruit business: in
the rest of the states they are mostly
miners and industrial workers. Quite q
number of them in Michigan and Wis
consin are farmers. In latter years
the number of the south Slavic school
ed intelligence is getting larger, and
these become professional men.
Program Of Council.
THE south Slavic national council
represents the central national political
organization of southern Slavs (Jugo
Shvs) in the United States. 1t is COM
political. educational. gymnastical and
benevolent organizations of southern
slavs. At the head Of the council is
the executive committee composed Of
ten men (American citizens) elected at
the large national convention, which
was held at Pittsburgh, Pa. on the
29th and 30th of November. 1916, and
was attended by 614 delegates of diff
ferent south Slavic organizations and
states, as well as delegates of organi-
cations in Canada and South American
republics.
The program Of the south Slavic ma
tional council is as follows:
"(1) To organize. and thereby to con-
troll all the southern Slavs in the
United States, removing them from the
influence Of foreign. especially Austro- Ger
man agents; to endeavor to protect those
who are loyal, regardless whether theG
are citizens of this country. or had as
yet mo- opportunity to become such,
and to keep under surveillance those
who are Suspicious; acting In this re-
spect in accordance with instructions
and wishes Of the federal authorities.
"(2) TO prepare census of all
southern Slavs In the United States. ac-
cording to their ages. occupations and
onalifcations, and to place 1t at the dis
nosaI Of the federal authorities.
"(3) To carry out the recruiting Of
the southern Slavs on behalf of the in
dustrial and military preparedness of
the United States. and through the
eIymnastical sokol organizations to
bring together and train legions of vol
unteers, and prepare them to join the
American army.
Cross: to aid and help it's countrymen.
the war victims, and, in general. the
struggle for the liberty of the people.
"(6) To conduct an active propaganda
FOR the enlightenment of the American
public and authoritative factors in re-
rard to- true conditions, circumstances
and aspirations of the southern Slavs,
and thereby to contribute to the reali-
Satton OF the high and lofty principles
Of this country and its President. being
fully convinced that these principles
Win be applied also to the people Of our
race Ia EUROPA.