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MAXIM GORKY'S APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 

Reprinted from the [underlined] New York Times 

23 July 1921.

- - - -

"Moscow, July 13.

"To All Honest People:

"The corn-growing steppes are smitten by crop failure, caused by the drought. The calamity threatens starvation to millions of Russian People. Think of the Russian people's exhaustion by the war and revolution, which considerably reduced its resistance to disease and its physical endurance. Gloomy days have come for the country of Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Meneleyev, Pavlov, Mussergsky, Clinka and other world-prized men, and I venture to trust that the cultured European and American people, understanding the tragedy of the Russian people, will immediately succor with bread and medicines.

"If humanitarian ideas and feelings - faith in whose social import was so shaken by the damnable war and its victors' unmercifulness towards the vanquished - if faith in the creative force of these ideas and feelings, I say, must and can be restored, Russia's misfortune offers humanitarians a splendid opportunity to demonstrate the vitality of humanitarianism. I think particularly warm sympathy in succoring the Russian people must be shown by those who, during the ignominious war so passionately preached fratricidal hatred, thereby withering the educational efficacy of ideas evolved by mankind in the most arduous labors and so lightly killed by stupidity and cupidity. People who understand the words of agonizing pain will forgive the involuntary bitterness of my words.

"I ask all honest European and American people for prompt aid to the Russian people. Give bread and medicine.

KX 6520 and KX 6519 - This couple lived in the two-room tar

paper shack with no conveniences. They had little income and no

relatives to assist them in relocating. An early purchase was made

in order to give plenty of time to search for replacement property.

Transportation was furnished and replacement property was found one block

from a U.S. highway. Whereas the couple had been six miles from the

nearest store, they are now one block from bus services, surrounded by

neighbors, and near a brother-in-law who can help them then the need

arises. An additional instance in which we were able to help these people

was to let them know about the benefits that were available to them under

the new Veterans Administration pension plan. He had not taken advantage

of it previously because he had heard a rumor that he would loose his

hospital privileges if he did take advantage of the VA offering. The

only income had been a veteran's disability pension and the additional $29 under

the new plan was welcome.

7/12/66 

3868 AGO 1876

Mt Kisco N.Y.

July 10.76.

File with 3830 AGO 1878

R.W. Leonard

late Major + Bt Lt. Col. Vols

Offers a regiment of volunteers for service against the Indians

File

A.G.O. EDL

July 14/76 A.G.

Recd. A.G.O. July 12.76. 

July 10th 1876

Mt Kisco West Chester N.Y.

Sir

If the government should desire to employ any volunteers in this Indian War I should be glad to raise a regiment of infantry (or cavalry) to be enlisted for the war unless sooner discharged

In the present state of public feeling and depression in labor I could raise a regiment of excellent material in ten days and officered by young gentlemen who can pass an examination in Uptown tactics- In thirty days after organization I could have the regiment very well drilled and in a condition to make a creditable appearance in the field.

I suppose it would be cheaper to enlist the necessary men in the west but I think the cost of transportation

would be more than balanced

by the superior quality of the officers

from the east - in addition the

men from the west do not fall on

readily into habits of subordination

as men coming from the older

states.

I have the honor

Very respecfully

Your body. servt.

R.W. Leonard

Late May + Bt Lt. Col. 162 of NYC

Brig Genl. E.D Townsend