THE RUSSIAN RED CROSS.
[TO THE EDITOR Of THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—We, the undersigned, on behalf of the Russian Red Cross Organization in Great Britain, beg to ask you to give publicity to the following appeal for the wounded and suffering in Russia. In presenting this appeal to the public it may bo well, now that the advent of peace may render the memories of the war less vivid, to mention what is Russia's chief claim for British aid. During the war Russia mobilized 18,450,000 men, and her losses were as follows: Killed and died of wounds 1,700,000; disabled, 1,450,000; wounded, 3,500,000; prisoners, 2,500,000. It will be noted that these figures are greatly in excess of those of any of the other Allies, and it must not las forgotten that for more than two years, in a time of the greatest anxiety, Russia bore the full force of attacks from a very large part of the German Army. It is difficult to overestimate the value of the effort of Russian troops when considering the filial result achieved by the victorious Allied forces.
From the very beginning the Russian Red Cross Organization in Great Britain has endeavoured to help Russia not only by mitigating the horrible consequences of the war, but by relieving the terrible sufferings which the civilian population have had to endure as an unavoidable result of the struggle. This feature of the Red Cross work now becomes especially urgent and important. Great masses of refugees are flying before the advancing Bolshevik an:nitre with nothing except the clothes on their backs, with no visible means of subsistence, overflowing the congested towns and villages, which are already suffering from disease and practically destitute of every kind of supply such as drugs, warm clothing, boots, Ste., to say nothing of the extreme scarcity of food, fuel, and the lack of transport.
Without intending entirely to discontinue any form of assist- ance given up to the present, it is our chief aim to come to the rescue of the civilian population of the liberated regions of Russia. We therefore appeal to every citizen of the British Empire to assist us in our work, which is purely humanitarian in its objects. All donations will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the Hon. Treasurers, Messrs. Baring Brothers, 8 Bishopsgate, E.C. 2, or The Secretary, The British Committee of the Russian Red Cross in Great Britain, 35 Albemarle Street, W. 1; and gifts in kind can be delisercd at the Committee's Stores at 167 Waterloo Road, S.E.—We are, Sir, ire.,
HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN, Chairman of the British Committee of the Russian Red Cross in Great Britain; A. F. LONDON; B. E. COOPER, Lord Mayor; CHEYLESMORE; BERM:IASI; ARTHUR STANLEY, British Red Cross Society; MAUD WARRENDER; MARGARET LLOYD GEORGE; BEATRICE RENT; AIMEE BARKER; OLGA EGERTON; RAY BOCEMAN BRAHAM; LUCIA MARLING; VIOLET MOND; J. R. CLEM; ALGERNON Msonsur, Hon. Director-General; Joust Emma- /Mouses; J. P. HEWETT, Chairman Finance Commit- tee; PAUL 'QUAYLE?, President of the Russian Red Gross Society; RAUSE, Special Delegate of the Russian Red Cross Society; M. Mnivitorr; S. TORBY; N. Camo, Russian Red Cross Workrooms; VOUSSOUPOFF-ELST014, W. BULLIVANT, Russian Civilian Relief; A. MILIUKOPP, Children's Help Committee; N. Voenvonser, Russian Relief Fund; A. TILNEY BASSETT, Secretary.
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