The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-09-20
CzECHO- -SLOVAKS FIGHTING HUNS
 AND BOLSHEvIKI Money Raised in Bridgeport Not for Russians But for
 Czech Army of Allies. BRIDGEPORT SHOULD
 BE GENEROUS GIVER Rumor Money is Used to Pay Russian Debt Nailed
 by the Committee.

Bridgeport must give more liberal ly in the remaining days of the Czecho Slovak war fund campaign or the aMota for Bridgeport may not be ex- oeeded in the manner which Bridge port usually shows in It's contribution to war funds
 Some of the contributions have been very large and the amount is rapidly increasing but 1t must come In faster during the remaining days of the campaign to make Bridgeport's contribution to this fund what 1t should be when the importance of Bridgeport in winning the war Is con- sidered.
 It has been sta9ed to some of the workers in the campaign that the ru- nor was being spread abroad that this money was to be sent to RussiA and would be used in paying the Rus~ stan debt.
 Such a rumor Is purely pro-German in It's character and has no basis in fact. The money is to be used for the relief of Czecho-Slovak armies and will be disbursed through the Czecho- Slovak National Council at Washing ton. This National Council has been reliable enough so that the United States government, Japan, England, France, Serbia, Belgium and the other allied nations have formally and of- ficially recognized 1t as the provisional government of the Czecho-Slovak na- ton.
 It has no concern with the Rus wi the Bolshevik government of Russia which 1t is fighting and which IS hght- ing 1t on a dozen fields.
 Were this fund not absolutely and directly in the interest of the United States and the other allied nations 1t would not have been permitted by the United States government
 It's collection in Bridgeport is being actively aided by the Bridgeport War Bureau, On the general committee in charge of raising the fund in this city are the best known men in Bridgeport.
 The need for this fund is very great. The Czecho-Slovaks have today under arms an army of 200, 0,o00 men. Their arms and uniforms are being provided by the Allied nations.
 These men who are compelled by no one to enter the war have done so voluntarily. Thousands of them in this country have given up positions which paid them highly to secure the chance to fight Their wages are 5 cents per day.
 They have not dollar to take care of them while on furlough- They have no comforts nor medical assist ance; .wo-thirds of them have not heard from their families perhaps in years.
 Every one of them has price upon his head and if captured the penalty is death.
 They ask only for the chance tc fight
 Upon theAr success may depend the whole future fate of Russia whicf they are now holding against both tht Bolshevizi and the Germans.
 Their success on the Russian iron would save the lives of thousands O Amap6ean boys.
 Bridgeport as an industrial cit! owes much to the Czecho-Slovaks 0 whom there are approximately 300 men, women and children residen here. They have manned our fac tories, patronized our merchants an taken part in the life of the city.
 These people are entitled to the al and support of the other clements o the population when their sons an brothers need assistance.
 If Bridgeport accelerates its giving loosens its purse strings during tn remaining days of the campaign 1 will put the fund over the top in manner to campare favorably wit the Red Cross, the Y. M. c. A., tn Knights of Columbus and others of similar nature.