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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 en-
trusted 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

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