The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-24
GOVERNORS PROCLAMATION OPENS
 RELIEF DRIVE FOR NEAR EAST

With the reading of the Governors 8 proclamation and the earnest eXhorta.- tions of cIergymen, Sunday, in all churches. Catholic and Protestant, ConnecGcuts $1,00o,0 campaign for Relief in the Near East, got under way most auspiciously. In several districts, like those around Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and New Britain, the active drive for subscrip- tfons has been postponed until the week of March 2 to March 9. but in most of Connecti@ut's towns. the cam paign is being waged this week. The Governors proclamation was as follows:
 A PROCLAMATION
 An opportunity IS hereby presented of Connecticut may uphoBd their rep Ufatfon for generosity, do q work of constructive philanthropy and help settle q controversy that has disturbed the peace of the world for hundreds of years.
 Americans have difficulty in form ing an adequate conception of the horror and villainy of the crime that has been committed against the Christian people of Asia Minor. and I am convinced that, if we could wis
 
 alone would give the S2O,OO0 coo now asked of the Nation.
 T am equally sure the people of this State do not inteII. by neglectiug this call for help, to allow these suffering people to perish and so enable the murderous Turks, upheld as they were in Germany. to succeed in their purpose to destroy this race as cer- tainly as if they had been victorious in war.
 Tt is seldom that we have before us a duty so plain, q reason so clear and a cause so urgent as 4S Sfforded by this appeal through which we may alleviate suffering regardless of race, creed or denomination.
 Out of the Near East came the great men of Bible days whose tench- ings have helped the world for cen- turies in it's struggle for freedom, jus tice and righteousness. In the name of the prophets and leaders of old let us help their descendants today.
 Let us give joy to the sorrowful. food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, inspiration to the broken hearted and cause them to feel that God still Teigns and all is right in the world. Above all, let us help them to help themselves by the intelligent sys- tenn of rehabilitation essential to the program of reconstruction planned by the American Committee for Relief In the Near East
 Now, therefore I, Marcus IT. HoI- comb, Governor of Connecticut rec ommend to the clergy of the state that on Sunday the twenty-third of February, they bring this matter to ! the attention Of their respective con- gregations to the end that they be informed of the facts and inspired to ! the service for humanity which they l present"
 1 In the Catholic churches, fin con- l necdon with the reading of the | proclamation, the following letter i from Bishop John J. Milan was read: Dear Father:
 You will receive a proclamation | from His EXcellency, Governor Hol. | comb, appealing to the people O | Conn for funds in behalf O l the afflicted people Of Syria, Armenia Persia and other nations in WesterI Asia. The proclamation Is to be 1 read In all the churches of the stat | next Sunday preparatory to q cam l paign which will be conducted in thu 1 various towns and cities of Connec l ticut from February 23 to March 3
 The purpose of the campaign < 1 10 raise enc million dollars in thi
 state as its proportionate quota O