Evening star., 1917-04-07
URGES RED CROSS
FOR WAR RELIEF
President Wilson Points to Ad-
vantage of Having Work
Concentrated.
l.
5000 AT MASS MEETING

President Wilson. within a few hours
after the signing of the war resolu
tlon, declared to the nation last night
that the American Red Cross is the
only authorized channel of relief work.
Promptly came the reply of the Red
Cross I'VE are ready for any service,
and will obey orders"
The nations capital demonstrated its
patriotic purpose to support the Red
Cross not only by personal service, but
by generous financial backing. by re-
cording contributions of more than
$4,000 within as many minutes to the
loo,o0o-fund being raised for the
work of the District chapter of the
Red Cross, so that the fund is now $4,000
5000 Attend Meeting.
This all happened last night at Red
Cross mobilization meeting in Me-
mortal Continental Hall, attended by
more than 5000 persons. which was
addressed by Secretaries Baker and
where the audience Joined in singing
the national anthem, accompanied by
the Marine Band.
President Wilson had expected to at
tend the meeting, but the stress of Off
cial duties prevented. SO he sent mes
sage. which was read by the Secretary
of War. as follows:
President Wilson's Message.
"In order that the relief work which
is undoubtedly ahead of US should be
made thoroughly efficient, it is most
desirable that it should be co-ordinated
| and concentrated under one organiza-
tion.
Recognizing this fact. Congress in
corporated the American Red Cross to
! furnish volunteer aid to the sick and
| wounded of armies in time of war and
for said purposes to perform all >the
duties devolved upon national society
! by each nation which has accepted the
| treaty of Geneva, to act in
| matters of voluntary relief and in ac-
| cord with the military and naval au-
| thoritieS as a medium of communica-
tion between the people of the United
| States of America and their army and
| navy
Having thus been made the official
! volunteer aid organization of the
United States. the American Red Cross
treaty of Geneva and has received due
recognition from all foreign govern
| ments. Its status both at home and
abroad is thus dehitely determined and
assured
The surgeons general of the War
and Navy deartments are members of
the executive committee of the Ameri-
can Red Cross. BY act of Congress
medical officers of both branches of
the service are detailed for service
with 1t in order that it's military re-
lief may be SO organized as best to
supplement the medical services of our
| fighting forces.
Under Trained Personnel.
| THE civilian relief is under train
ed and experienced personnel especially
fitted to care for soldiers families and
other nom combatants. The accounts of
the association are audited by the
War Department in order thoroughly
! to safeguard the funds contributed by
the public.
Recent experience has made it more
clear than ever that a multiplicity of
relief agencies tends to bring about
confusion, duplication, delay and waste.
| Moreover. it affords temptations to dis
! honest persons to take advantage of
! the general willingness of the public
| to subscribe to such agencies to defraud
subscribers and rob the soldier of the
assistance he so much needs. Wherever
| in the present war sufficient volunteer
aid has been rendered, either to SOL
diers or to non-combatants, it has been
| rendered under a well-organized CEN
! trail body. Experience is certainly the
most convincing teacher. and we
should learn by these European ex-
| amples how to conduct our own relief
| work with the moSt thorough efficiency
and system. With it's catholicity and
| it's democracy the Red Cross is broad
enough to embrace all efforts for the
| care of their families and for the as
sistance of any other non-combatants
who may require aid.
LAS the president of the American
Red Cross, our branch of the great in
ternational organization, I most earn
estly commend it to your confidence
and your support. Upon your aid. upon
the amounts and promptness of your
gifts and cooperation. must depend the
fulfillment of the duties that are i'm
posed upon it. 1t serves SO noble and
| benefcent purpose that it must ap-
peal to all who love their country and
who love humanity"
Struggle Not Minimized.
| Neither Secretary Baker nor Secre.
| tary Daniels, heads of the fighting
arms Of the government. who were the
perateness Of the struggle ahead of the
United States and the need that there
| will be for coordination of all the re-
sources. including the man-power and
the woman-power backed by the spirit
| of patriotism that has always bridged
| the chasms of war in the past