Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-26
RED CROSS MEETING
At THE COLISEUM

1t was but a small audience that gath
cred at the Coliseum Sunday afternoon
to attend the Red Cross meeting. Sever
al reasons for the lack Of the usual at
tendance were advanced. The dreary
weather. the fact that so many people
were out late on Saturday evening to
view the wreckage on Bridge street. or
the fact that they had done their bit"
for the Red Cross during the past week.
may have had a bearing on the matter.
Justice Spear, one of the speakers, as
cribed it somewhat to the general apathy
of the residents and lack of realization
of the demands of the situation,
The band of the Second Regiment was
present and played few selections in
front Of the Coliseum before the meeting
and several at the meeting. A fine bass
solo was rendered by John D. Barrows.
Judge W. c. Atkins presided and intro
duced the speakers in few brief words.
Justice Spear was the first to speak and
laid special stress that the people do not
realize the full meaning of the crisis now
at hand. Many feel that the distance Of
5000 miles from Germany make us safe
from invasion Those who understand
and comprehend feel that we are not safe.
He likened this country to Rome and
Carthage at the time OF the oonquests Of
Hannibal. and said that IL Germany
should be successful they would surely
invade this country. We have entered
the war for the sake Of humanity, some
say Talk OF humanity and altruism all
YOU please" said he. We have entered
the war to defend our wives and daueh-
ters" He mentioned the momentous de-
csions made in past years by our. coun-
try and said that the decision to enter the
war was not the least Of them. He told
the story of Florence Nightingale at the
time of the Crimean war. the first step
toward what Is now lied Cross work.
Womans work and her suffering during
war times is as great as mans and the
Red Cross offers one Of the best means OF
helping.
The next speaker, Rev. r. W. Plant.
spoke of the tremendous call and need Of
the country today and the best express
sion of it is what the Red Cross Is seek
ing to accomplish. 1t Is the most stupen-
dous call that has ever come to mankind
to help suffering humanity. many mil
lions of women, children and suffering
men The Red Cross Council as made UP
by the President contains many of the
most prominent men of our country. The
Red Cross has become tremendous ma
chine, and to keep it in operation we must
give as we never gave before. The hun
dred million is not going to he anywhere
near enough. Make no mistake, for pre-
sumably the call will come for more. Be-
fore long we shall have an army in the
field and we must provide them with doc
tors and nurses and much beside. In ad-
diton to this must help alleviate the
sufferings Of France. of Poland, OF Ser
via. of Roumana, and the Red Cross Is
the one vital factor that can do effective
and efficient work. The duty and oppor-
tunity Of the he'd Cross Of today II un.
Erecedented. The question, the real ques
ton is now how much can we give. but
how much can we spend wisely. He i'm
plored his hearers not to say that the
call OF the Red Cross is inopportune. for
It is most opportune. A German governor
general in the White House at wash
ington is something that would be mop
perfume. He said that all Red Cross post
ers should be headed rs this nothing 70
you. all We that pass" There can be no
lasting peace until ahsolutism Is de-
stroyed