The Washington times., 1917-06-14
ROOSEVELT PLEADS
+ RED CROSS CAUSE
Colonel Addresses Nebras-
kanS at Semi Centennial.
TELLS OF WAR-TORN EUROPE
Pictures Plight Of France and Rus
I sia in Urging Generosity.

LINCOLN, Neb., June 14.-Speaking
today at the semi-centennisl eelsbra-
tion of Nebraska's statehood, Col.
Theodore Roosevelt appealed to the
nation to give generously to the $780,
900 900 war service fund Of the Red
Cross.
The Colonel declared the Red Cross
will be second In Importance only to
the army as g factor in winning the
world conflict
The plight OF France was described
by Colonel Roosevelt, who pointed
out that the work Of reeonstrueting
the war-torn country would fall
largely upon the United States, and
that the initial work OF reconstruc-
tion would fall to Red Cross forces
operating on the western front
Urges Adequate Preparation.
Preparation in advance for the
fighting Americans who are to join
the allies on the battle line will be
q necessary function OF the Red
Cross, he warned. He declared IL
steps are not taken TO improve sani-
tary conditions the loss OF life from
disease will be friEhtfully large
among American troops.
Closing his appeal, Colonel Roose-
velt said:
"France-proud, brave. bleeding
from CHASTITY wounds-needs US sore
ly. tuberculosis is raging throughout
her land. Fifteen hundred Of her
TO the ground by the calculated bar
barity Of the invaders Millions Of
her people are homeless and starving,
bereft even OF the barest coverings
for their bodies, OF stoves, OF utensils
with which TO cook or eat, Of agri-
cultural implements or animals-in-
deed Of the simplest elements OF civili-
nation. And to US alone can these
people come for help: we alone have
the Abundance with which to supply
their direst needs.
ITO Russia, too. we must reach out
our helping hand. We little know
what she has suffered and is suffering.
Her soldiers went into battle I'll
equipped with arms or ammunition.
OF medical supplies she had almost
none. To care for her wounded on
q battle line Of 1000 miles she has
but 5000 ambulances, while France
has $4,000 in q battle line Of 400 miles
and even that is not enough.
Russia In Dire Need.
Russia, long obedient to sutocracy
has not finched in this conflict. Her
people have had to struggle not only
TO free the world from sutocracy, but
TO make their own land q land of lib
erty. Russia needs all we can do tc
strengthen her courage and to make
her feel that we are indeed behind
her.
"our armies can do little for her
Our Red Cross alone can take into
Russia the message Of hope, OF help
Of confidence which she so terribly
needs. The message must be prac,
ticaL. It must carry needs, and not
merely words; and II should be car
ried at once. Probably never before
were so many people in distress and
agony as in Russia at this very hour
We can take no more vital step to-
ward winning this war than to put
renewed heart and strength into Rus-
siA.
$50 let this summons TO our people
for a week OF sacrifice and generosity
be not in vain. Let Red Cross week
be a week wherein the whole Ameri-
can people shall pledge to the service
of a great cause both themselves and
their possessions. Equip the Red
Cross for the beginning, and for the
carrying through, OF as sacred a mis-
sion as was ever undertaken in behalf
Of suffering world"