Pages
967
-2-
to distribute to the prisoners in Siberia, either military or civil, money, medicines and supplies sent by their friends or by philanthropic people in this country or elsewhere?
I make this inquiry and request very earnestly, not as the chief official of my Goverment, but only as a servant of humanity, with no political purpose, of course, and as a friend who would help if he could, and who shares with millions of his fellow-countrymen the desire to assuage, wherever it is possible to do so, the inevitable miseries of the present war.
My suggestion is made in conformity with a general plan for prisoners relief which the Goverment of the United States is now trying to arrange at the request of the several belligerent nations whose interests in enemy territory are entrusted to its care; and your Majesty will understand that the only reason why I do not include in my suggestion an offer of similar services on behalf of Russian subjects held as prisoners, is that the Goverment of the United States does not represent diplomatically the interests of Russia in any of the belligerent countries.
May
41628