September 30, 1920.
My dear Miss [Addams]: --
You are one of the many kind contributors to Relief Work for Central Europe. Will you be good enough to read this letter?
Do you know that there is still a large number of Prisoners held in Siberia?
Do you know that Austria has no means to bring these men back?
Do you know that they have been there from four to six years?
Can you imagine what it really means to have a husband, father, brother or son held a prisoner in Siberia?
Can you conceive the state of mind of these men?
Do you know that the survivors represent only a fraction of those who have died of hunger and disease?
Our Committee in conjunction with the
AMERICAN RED CROSS
NATIONAL LUTHERAN COUNCIL
NATIONAL CATHOLIC WAR COUNCIL
AMERICAN RELIEF COMMITTEE FOR HUNGARIAN SUFFERERS
JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE OF AMERICAN FUNDS FOR JEWISH WAR SUFFERERS
FEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
has formed a joint organization to bring these men back.
35,000 Prisoners must be brought back before the severe Siberian winter sets in -- or else they will perish, they cannot stand another winter!
Three Boats are on their way; they will bring back 5000 men.
Three more boats are about to be chartered; they will bring back 15000 more.
$1,000,000 were collected for the purpose but big as the sum appears, it is not sufficient to accomplish the work.
Another $2,000,000 is needed to repatriate the balance of the men.
For all you know there may be some of your own relatives among them. Please help us for the sake of humanity. Never has an appeal been sent out for a worthier cause.
Very sincerely yours,
Please make checks and money orders payable to Mr. Emil Fischl, Treasurer, and send to "American Relief for Austrian War Prisoners in Siberia". 9 East 26th Street, New York City.
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