Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-12

day night under the auspices OF the
local chapter of Red Cross.
Preceding the rally, Tubbs' Military
band gave a concert in front OF the
town hall, and just before the rally
was opened the band played the star
Spangled Banner. which brought ev-
eryone Immediately to their feet.
A number of the members OF the
first aid class of the Red Cross who
have been taking a course at the
Backus hospital in Red Cross first aid
work were dressed in costume, adding
much to the interest of the gathering.
Those dressed in Red Cross uniforms
were Misses Olive Huntington, Edith
Young, Florence Williams, Katherine
Brown, Ruth Hamilton, Helen Hamil-
ton and Mrs. Arthur Bunnen and Mrs.
Frank Eaton.
In the near future the chapter will
launch big membership campaign.
f. j. Leavens treasurer of the local
chapter of the Red Cross, presided at
the meeting and introduced His Honor
Mayor Allyn l.. Brown. Mayor Brown
referred to the fact that the work of
the Red Cross is not appreciated and
that many people have thought little
of its importance The general idea
that people have it that 1t is simply
an organization that is used in time
seen only a few months of war in the
lives of the majority of us. The Red
Cross conducts and has conducted a
very important work in time of peace
as web as war. The time is here now
and everyone realizes the grand OPP
3ortunity to lend a hand in the work
Of the National Red Cross. The people
Of Norwich in the past have shown
devotion to duty. as history tells US.
and those Of us who remember the
Civil war Will recall this fact The
military census recently taken is a
as populatiog of about COO and
1t was estimated at headquarters in
Hartford that Norwich would have
1900 names, but when the census was
completed we had 10000 names. No
with more efficiency than Norwich. We
were recently called by the governor
of the state to muster a detachment
Of the Home guard. You know the re-
sponse. We have two companies with
"a mon In each, and now we have
started to recruit for third.
Red cross Call DeubIy Strong.
The call OF the Red Cross is doubly
strong. not only to our sense of pa
triotism but to our sense Of love for
fellow man. In these days we have
many opportunities TO give and espe-
cially since this world wide war was
started. I believe there is no appeal
which touches anyone SO deeply as
that of the Red Cross. Ny fear is that
our people won't wake up to the fact
that we are in war and a war in which
every one must do his part, and I am
sure that tho city of Norwich as well
as other cities In the state will do their
part. Mayor Brown expressed hoFe
spond to all worthy calls of patriotism,
and the call Of the Red Cross. -
Norwich q Charter Member.
Mr.. Leavens said that he thought
many of the people in attendance at
this meeting came with the desire TO
know more about the Red Cross. The
Red Cross was really launched in Nor
fNh hi 7, in, fI1o
Breed hall when the soldiers of the
city were leaving in response to Pres
tlent Lincoln's call. The Red Cross
under the present name has been in
this city for about II years and this
city was one of the first to join the
national organization, which was eff
fective in 1905. Thus Norwich is a
charter member of the American Red
Cross. There has not been another
chapter in eastern Connecticut, Bridge
port, Hartford, New Haven. Middlesex,
Fairfield, I4itchfield and others that
has been so early in the cause The
Norwich chapter Of Red Cross was or
ganiZed one afternoon in the Osgood
Memorial, Park Congregational church,
at a meeting which was attended by
80 ladies and three men, one OF which
year the Norwich chapter had more
members than any other chapter in
Connecticut.
Who We Have Helped.
We were first called upon to do SER
vice when we were called to give
money at the time of the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius. Next the great San
Francisco earthquake, when we sent
from six to seven thousand dollars,
besides clothing, etc, to the sufferers.
And from time to time we have helped
sufferers from fire, floods, etc. We need
tom and your sympathy. We want to
have the membership of the Norwich
chapter stand as high as any other
chapter in the country.
Next Mr.. Leavens introduced Cen
eral William A. Aiken, WHO emphasized
in his remarks three topics: The Red
cross, why organized; the American
Red Cross, what it is; the Norwich
Red Cross. what 1t ought to be.
Wounded Left to Die.
General Aiken made reference to a
noted French author who in a book
described a European conflict and he
notes that in this war there were no
litter bearers. The wounded were left
where they dropped and the infantry
in charge tranpled on the wound
ed and the cavalry ground the wound
ed into tho earth. When he saw this
CHASTITY spectacle Of wounded lying
on the field. he was filled with horror
because Of the lack Of what we cali
war show that the loss of life was ter
rife and he was convinced that there
must be an organization. the object
OF which fs to conserve human life and
save the nation lives OF men which are
thrown away. The American Red
Cross. what tt. la and what It Ia not
are important things for us. It 10
not part of the United States army,
It Is national and the highest officer is
the president OF the United States, who
Ia cx-osTcio. It Hupplants the one
with which we wera connected with
the Civil war. and which was formed
In '61. General Aiken read figures
of comparison of tho Hed Cross in
other countries Euea az Germany,
Russia, Japan with the United States
Red Cross. He also told of tina work
OF the Red Creas In the Baker war In
China and Of the work conducted by
Japars contingent. When JAPAN
fought Russia the work of tho Japan
csc contingent was extraordinarily ef-
feetive.
Not Wholly War Organization.
The American Red Cross on tho 9TH
er hand tE not wholly war orEaniza-
tim TT Ia n S.t7