The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-15
MAKE APPEAL. TO YANKEE FARMERS
 AND L:Ab0RERS
Russians Add Stimulus to Lutherans' European
 Relief Campaign

An appeal simultaneous with the call of the Lutheran Church in Amer ica for European relief this week comes from the Russian Laborers and Farmers to the American La,borers and Farmers through the National Lutheran Council in New York, add ing stimulus to the Lutherans' Euro pean relief campaign ending May Is.
 The communication comes from the committee representing the Ger man groups in the old countries of Russia, the people of the Baltic coun- tries, of Poland, of Ukraine, of the Caucasus region, of the Volga district, of Siberia and of Northern Russia. They earnestly entreat their brother workers in America to help save them from total destitution and to exchange condolences.
 Following is the communication re- ceived:
 "Our distress is great. Come and help us.
 ''Trhe Tzarist regime wanted to de- stroy us, to disinherit us and to scat ter us among the Russians as serfs. God helped us, hindered the wicked ness of our enemies and hurled them into destruction through the Revolu- ton. But many have, nevertheless, lost house and home; many were pun ished and exi1ed; many of our sons and brothers lost health and life in the terrible war. That was 1917.
 '"The Revolution did not bring lib erty, but the domination of the BO1- shevists, a dominance which was worse than Czarist tyranny. Our property was destroyed, even our land was taken from us; villages were de vastated; our people were murdered; :; women and girls were dragged away. For the second time we stood at the precipice of annihilation. The strong German soldiers came and liberated us from the wicked hordes. That was 1918.
 But the strong Germans also met others stronger than themselves and they were forced out. Worse than the first time the Bolshevist flood engulf- ed us. Villages were destroyed. Our people were burned to death. We were completely robbed of everything. Tens of thousands of our countrynen fled before the horror and were over taken by the enemy. That was 1919. And now, 1920, the Germans are being annihilated in the Baltic States. In the Volga River colonies, in Vol hynia and Siberia the Bolshevists are in power, our pastors are being mur- dered and our people are being wall ed in. It is terrible.
 Many who had the opportunity fled to Germany. Here are hudd1ed together the one-time wealthy and proud barons, the poor woodsmen from Wolhynia, the well-todo farm CTS from southern Russia. and the exiIes from the Terek region. They are faithful brothers who comfort one another and share their last be- Iongings with one another. The Ger mans help them.
 And if the mercffu1 God grants l these people the good fortune to re- turn to their homes-who knows when ?-who will then help them to build up their homes again? To help them furnish their homes? To pro- vide machinery and stock? All of which is so terribly expensive. Come and help us who have be- come so poverty-stricken. We need everything: money and clothing, lin- en and shoes, comforting and cheering words. Our representatives will re- ceive your donations and will render an account of everything thus receiv- 1 ed and bring it to those who need your gifts most. We place our con- fidence in you. You must also show
 us confidence.
 'tWrite also to our brothers in Can
 ada, in Argentina and in Brazil. They
 also will help us. Subscribe to ou1 ] journal It will tell you how we have
 fared and how conditions are in 1 Russia.
 ..P1ease request your American
 newspapers that they come to our as l sistance, and that they publish this lannaa1 and nEa4aS EaAEazsar aasz