Roanoke Rapids Herald

EDITORIAL

DO YOU WANT TO REALLY HELP?

With the possible exception of Germany and Japan, the entire world is amazed and wonderfully pleased with the valiant fight for existence being made by tiny Finland against the mighty Russia.

The world has been terribly afraid of the great Red Russia and now we find it is not so big and dangerous as we thought. If Finland has done nothing else to deserve the thanks of the rest of the world it has shown us the weakness of the bug-a-boo built up about the so-called invincible Reds.

Of course, the weather and other things have been in Finland's favor but the quick conquest which we all dreaded has failed to materialize and after many weeks of fierce fighting Finland is holding off armies numerically much stronger.

Finland's brave stand has encouraged the world.

But it is futile for us to think that Finland can keep on when the odds are so much against her.

She has neither the manpower nor the munitions to do what we all want to see: defeat Russia or inflict such damages that Russia will give up the idea of Finnish invasion. One of these can only be accomplished by giving Finland outside aid.

We dread to think of what is going to happen soon when the weather abates and Russia throws hundreds of thousands of fresh troops against the tired little Finnish army. Is it possible that we will soon see one of the purest and bravest races practically wiped off the face of the globe?

They say our people demand that we do nothing which might lead us into war but surely there is something we can do to help this little country and to maintain our own self respect. They say we shall not furnish munitions or any war material to the fighting forces of Finland. Then, let those nations who do have the courage furnish them with men and munitions and let the United States furnish everything else that Finland needs for those behind the front lines.

Let the United States feed every non-combatant, clothe them, see that they have proper shelter and are kept in good spirits. While other nations help them with men and munitions, let us see that the families of the soldiers are properly cared for and when those soldiers know that they will fight the harder and longer.

The fearful, the squeamish and the thoughtless of us in this country, who fear for their skins by helping Finland with the things they need in the front lines, can have very little good argument against our helping those behind the lines: the old, the women and children, the wounded.

We can give as a nation and we can also give as individuals. Those of you who read this, which comes unsolicited, can give as individuals to the Finnish Relief Fund. This newspaper will take your contribution and forward it to the New York headquarters of the Fund and see that you get your receipt for your donation.