New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
| u. S. Does Not Yet Realize
Perils Before Us, He
Declares
Pershing Urges Relief
Hoover and Dawson Also
Emphasize the Need for
Prompt Action

Washington, May 25.-The colossal
relief and rehabilitation task that con-
/ fronts the American Red Cross. if the
/ United States is to do its full part in
| the war, was detailed by a notable
group of speakers to-day at confer
cncc Of men and women from forty
| cities who have volunteered to assist
/ the socicty's war council.
/ Major General John J. PcrshinG. Her
bert c. Hoover. Secretary Baker. Will
lam II. Taft and Henry p. Dawson in
I turn told the volunteers that they must
4 20 70 work expecting a long, hard task,
but one which would stand out in his
+ tory as the greatest philanthropic cf-
fort of thcages.
Mr.. Taft paid a tribute to the War
Secretary and to President Wilson,
saying that the nation had begun the
war rightly by creating large army.
. and that this step was largely due to
"thc Secretary of War and the Presi-
dent OF this Administration" lie in
dorscd General Pershing's plea that
everything be done to prepare the peo-
lie for great sacrifices.
DO Not Yet Realize Dangers
I'VE shall not realize what the war
is" said the former President. until
those beloved with us have been ex-
posed to the dreadful dangers. TO the
character of wounding that is so horri-
bic under this modern system of war
fare; until we all go to the bulletins
and study the names to see whether
those near and dear to us have been
taken for their country's sake.
Then the war will come home to US.
Then there will be nothing but the war
and everything else will be incidental.
And the one thing for which we ought
to be grateful is that we have cause
worthy of all the sacrifices that we can
make"
While the conference was in session
President Wilson designated the week
of June IS 10 % as Red Cross Week,
during which the people of the United
States will be called upon to give gen
erously and in spirit of patriotic
sacrifice for the support and mainte-
nance of this work of national need
Mr.. Dawson, who at the Presidents
request became chairman of the war
council, declared the sl00,000,OOO fund
which it is proposed 10 raise quickly
would be only beginning.
Says Well Electrify World
"Are the people Of this country go
ing 10 be satisfied" he asked, with a
Red Cross organization which Will
bar nd
abroad? Are we merely going 70 say
to poor, broken Russia, Here we are
with our flag when Russia has only
1000 ambulances on front of 1000
miles? No: we will respond in way
that will electrify the world. The peo-
pie of this country are not only going
20 supply that s100000,000, but they
are going to supply a very great deal
more"
Describing the pitiable condition of
Northern France, Mr.. Hoover said that
there alone was room for a work of re-
Mobilization that would cost $780,
100000 The duty Of the United States
in that field is clear, he declared, for
France is sacrificing her men on pyre
devoted to liberty and a pyre devoted
10 our protection.
A plea for France was also made by
! General Pershing, whose speech was
/ interrupted frequently by cheers for
I the man who is to be the first TO lead
American troops to the relief of French
( soil He also declared the United.
I States was not awake to the meanings
I Of the war. and urged that the Red
Cross aid in bringing home realiza
ton that the situation is one Of very
grave seriousness"
I Both General Pershing and Secretary
| Baker. speaking for the military arm OF
the nation urged that donations TO the
Red Cross be stimulated as a part of
the programme a national defence. The
| Secretary said his advice to every one
would be "Give all you can"