Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1917 — Friendship of America One of the Greatest Needs of Russia [ARTICLE]

Friendship of America One of the Greatest Needs of Russia

By DR. FRANK BILLINGS

Hbml of the American Red Grom Special Comminion to Ruuia

Russia’s greatest need today is sincere friendship from the outside. In her struggle for a constitutional and democratic form of government, America can be of immense service, not so much in the way of gifts of money, but by letting the people of Russia know what is going on in this country, and what the United States is doing in the war. Russia is absolutely without any American news that is worth while. Most of what they hear about the United States in the war comes to them through pror German propaganda, and is to the effect that this country is fighting for pecuniary gain; that the United States is a vassal of England, and that England wants to rule the world. They have not heard a word of President Wilson’s reasons why we are in this war. However, America is looked t® by the Russians as their best friend. The further cementing of friendly relations will aid Russia in its war operations, and the Red Cross, through its relief work already done and that which will be carried on, will do 1 much to bring this about. Red Gross commission to Russia has established a well-organized office, with an efficient personnel in Petrograd and on the road as transportation Russia turns to America as her best friend, and if America will recognize the great power of the people of Russia, their inherent goodness of character and stability, their desire for order, their desire for democracy, by the help which America can give she will cement that friendship for all time. -n • -l With the American Red Cross firmly established in Russia, it is to be the policy to furnish such material as may be needed in the care of the sick and injured soldiers, and some degree for the civilian population. The members of the cabinet of the Russian provisional government, the sanitary department of the army, the Russian Red Cross, all the relief organizations, and the “All Union of Zenstvos” have expressed their gratitude for the aid which the American Red Cross has already afforded. A continuation of this good work by the American Red Cross will be one of the most potent factors in cementing friendship which is so much desired.