Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-08

self. but would Hike to cooperate with the
Red Cross Of America.
Next came suggestions from the Ameri-
can missionary board, remembering our
successful entrance to and laborS in Ar
mena during the massacres.
Then came direct personal appeal from
| Macedonia that the Red Cross go to their
assistance. To all of these we have listened
attentively and sympathetically and re-
| sponded as wisely as we could under the
many complications attending the situa-
| ton both here and abroad. we'll understand
ing from past participation and experience
what these must be; always hoping for the
better action of the foreign powers. which
would render aid less imperative-willing to
patiently await developments. or ready to
go If the demand and opportunity presents
This Is the legitimate birthright OF the REQ
CroSS-not a leader but a follower-atten-
tive to calls. watchful of opportunity and
faithful unto death If there its service
leads.
The Executive Committee.
The selection of our executive committee
for this year fell to residents of New York
and vicinity; and for their accommodation.
as well as the saving of time and travel
an office was temporarily secured in New
York, and mainly occupied until October
l. when, the heavier work having been &C
complished cur former official offices were
resumed at Glen Echo, with headquarters
! maintained In the city of Washington, as
heretofore and always.
If we have had our share in the confu-
sion of the elements about US, we are only
in keeping with all else in nature. If the
great public press. the mighty engine of the
land, the unconscious maker and breaker
of itself neither a friend or foe and mean
ing to be just and true and kind-has, in a
wild frolic like the winds at play, caught
us up, driving us among the rocks and
| breakers we could only adopt the sailor 8
| maxim, 'LufT while 1t blows" and wait for
the calm. If the old ship Of state go down
in the storm Its weather-beaten builder and
craftsman for quarter of a century will
breath will shout to the officers and crew.
Let down the lifeboats and pull for the
shore You have done your duty here-seek
other fields that need you
Fortunately our storms have been con-
fined to ourselves; they have disturbed no
other country. swept no other coast; and
in all existence never have such marks
of sympathetic friendship confidence and
encouragement come across the sea to us
as during the present year; and the inter-
national committee of Geneva, through Its
published bulletin to all nations. finds space
for pages of unbroken approval Of the Red
Cross of America.
For these courtesies and marks of friend
illness We are prayerfully grateful. A like
need of gratitude is expended to the
friends and fellow workers whose faithful
help has been our strength through the
laborS of the year. I have not sufficient
words in which to thank them, but as heart
knows heart they will supply what 1 lack.
Our executive committee has been unit
with themselves and with me. My report
speaks for them unless, as l hope, a few
words may be heard from them, which by
participation and culture they are so we'll
fitted to say.
Our secretary. Mr.. s. NJ Briggs, unani-
mously elected at the last annual meeting,
will make his own report
Our esteemed treasurer, Mr.. Edward D
Easton, will render account for the few
hundreds N a n he no.
ming, the even less that he holds now but
will never be able to account for the anom-
ally of the work that has been accomplished
with the small means to do 1t with. Neither
could we account for it, only that like the
frugal family. we are accustomed to econ
omy and have the habit of it.
Expressive Of Gratitude.
To our honorable counsellor Mr.. Richard
Olney. whose patient and impartial judg-
ment has sought to guide US Alright who
has given the strength of his legal ability
to the revision of our laws and called to
his counsel the highest talent and personnel
in the country-to him and to them our
grateful homage is due. Whatever betide
us. we have had the counsel of the best in
the land and have obeyed it.
To the press of the United States-that
marvellous power-growing more and more
to WELD our notwithstanding the
incomprehensible amount of misinforma ton
and misdirection it has received concerning
the seemingly small affairs of our organiza-
ton, which its active gatherers felt bound
to regard and accept-yet when left to itself
to speak has been discriminating, kind and
loyal return my deepest thanks, with the
assurance in my heart that if today l were
called 10 leave the scene of action l could
safely leave my record with it,
To those other great bodies of loyal men
north. south east and west-who with life
and limb stand ever pledged to the cause of
rlght-the countrys defense in the hour Of
peril; its firmest advocates in the cause of
that peace they knew so well how to prize
| extend my grateful hand of thanks for a
friendship that has never failed and a love
between us that can never die.
And lastly, let me come to my own To
those bodies Of organized women through
out the land, whether in societies, guilds
declarations or clubs, it matters Moth. ugh
the mist and the darkness through toll and
unrest these strong. gentle hands have
reached out with sisters LOYALTY and love
ana as sisters turn to you-my own-with
gratitude you can only divine but never
know. You have made me feel that 1t Is
well to be woman.
The resolution for the extension of the
organization of the Red Cross, offered by
our esteemed member, William T. Ward
well. at the last annual meeting will be
remembered by all. This resolution unani-
mously adopted. resulted In the appoint
ment or a committee. of which Mr. Ward
well himself was appointed chairman At
ter some delay. due to the deeply regretted
illness OF Mr.. Wardwell, department for
the furthering of the object set forth in the
resolution was instituted, and became the
one great, engrossing work of the entire
year.
Evidence of Advancement.
Whoever has been privileged to see the
work of other Red Cross societies, as dem
onstrated at the foreign conferences, has
been struck by their advancement in the
department OF the St John ambulance. or
first aid to the injured, by which their
members are trained to the service of mu-
tual help in time of distress l have watched
this longingly for years, as the legitimate
adjunct of our Red Cross as well, but saw
no way of properly or successfully intro
ducfng it. We had no one who properly
understood the work or the methods of con-
Quoting it 1t would be a great undertaking
and must not be confided to Incompetent
hands.
l have waited for this as a great boon
yet in store for our people. so liable to ac-
cident, and so unskilled and untaught in
methods OF ready assistance
As the Red Cross is cosmopolitan and
cannot deal in matters ''of BELIEF I Will not
say that 1 believe my prayer was heard
and answered, but will say that the helm
n mi he mar yyhn haI hAyx~