Arizona republican., 1917-05-25
APPEAL ISSUED F0RREDCR0SS
 BY PRES|DENT
Head of Nation Urges the Coordination of All War Relief Effort Under Di-
 rection of Organization

President Wilson. who is also presi- dent of the American Red Cross, has issued a stirring appeal for support for this official organization of relief. The letter of the president is as follows:
 In order that the relief work which is undoubtedly ahead of us should be made thoroughly efficient, it is most desir- able that it should be CO., -ordinated and concentrated under one organization.
 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 comes under the treaty of Geneva and has re- ceived due recognition from all foreign governments. Its status, both at home and abroad. is thus definitely deter mined and assured.
 The surgeons general of the war and navy departments are members of the executive committee of the American Red Cross By act of congress medical officers of both branches of the service are detailed for service with it in order that it's military relief may be so or ganlzed as best to supplement the medi- cal services of our fighting forces.
 The civilian relief is under a trained and experienced personnel, especially 1 fitted to care for soldiers families and other non- -combatants. The accounts of the association are audited bv 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, 1t affords temptations to dis honest persons to take advantage of the general willingness of the public to subscribe to such agencies 10 Gefraud supscrlbers and rob the soldier of the assistance he so much needs
 VI nereVer, In the present war. slIf flclent volunteer aid has been rendered | elther To soldiers or to non -combatants IL mas been rendered under a well-or- ganized central body. Experience k l certainly the most convincing teacher and we should learn by these Europea, examples how to conduct our own re- nef work with the most thorough eff. clency and system With it's catholicit, ana It's democracy the Red Cross i!
 broad enough to embrace all efforts fo the relief of our soldiers and our sailors
 the care of their families. and for tn.
 assistance of any other non-cornbat tant Who may require aid.
 As the president of the american Re,
 cross, our branch of the great interna
 tlonal organization, I most earnestI
 commend it to your confidence and vou
 support Upon your aid, upon th
 amounts and promptness and your gift
 and cooperation, must depend the ful
 iliment of the duties that are impose,
 upon It. It serves so noble and benefi
 cent purpose that it must appeal t
 all who love their country and who lov humanity.
 WOODROW WILSON. President, American Red Cross.