The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-20
Years Work of American Red
Cross Is Remarkable.
Relief System Extends From
Ireland to Italy.
SPECIAL HELP FOR FRANCE
Arrangements Now Ready To
Aid American Prisoners.
Refugees From Belgium and
Invaded Italy Cared For.

Washington, May 20.-The Ameri-
can Red Cross. the nations official
mercy organization. launches today its
second drive for a 100000, 900 war
fund.
Since the first band of American
workers sailed last June, the Red
Cross has built up a system of relief
that extends from the home stations
of the destroyer fleets on the Irish
coast down to the battle lines in
northern Italy
The generosity of the American
people as expressed in the readiness
of the Red Cross representatives to
devote time and money unsparingly in
an effort to relieve the distress of both
the military and civilian population,
has imbued in the war-scarred peo-
pies of Europe an enduring love and
respect for this nation.
1t is in France, the land that has
suffered most from PruSSian barbar-
ity, that the accomplishments of the
Red Cross are most prominent. A
great mercy organization has been
built up consisting of 1000 American
men and women. A vast number are
unpaid. while the others receive only
enough to meet simple living expenses
With General Pershing'S expedition
airy forces the closest touch is kept
thru divisional and regimental medi-
cal officers. Rest stations and can
teens operated by American women
have been established along the lines
of communication, and emergency
needs for hospital supplies, drugs and
comforts readily are supplied from
warehouses maintained at strategic
points along the line.
To Aid American Prisoners.
With vision that has distinguish
ed it's work since Americas entrance
into the war. the Red Cross already
has established at Berne, Switzerland,
large warehouses containing supplies
of food and clothing for Americans in
German prison-camps. Packages for
the prisoners are being sent forward,
under arrangements with the German
government, and thru Red Cross
channels there comes practically the
only official information concerning
those Americans who have fallen into
German hands.
The American commission in Lon
don looks out for the welfare of
American troops who stop over in the
metropolis en- route to the front, while
American troops in training camps or
hospitals in England are carefully at
Cended by the British organization.
American relief in Belgium has
been conspicuous since the violation
of that nation by Won Kluck's hordes.
but the work of caring for the civilian
population. driven intb northern
France, continues under direction of
the commission located at Havre. the
temporary seat of the eXiled Belgian
government. In closest cooperation
with existing committees and army au-
thorities, the Red Cross. thru dona-
lions of food, clothes and comforts, is
endeavoring to alleviate the sufferings
OF countless men, women and chill
dren.
Much Work i'm Italy.
In Italy, the work closely parallels
40 in nth nr oil in6 1frne
The regular tasks, incident to relief
effort in a belligerent land. were in
creased tremendously by the disas-
trous retreat from the Isenzo front a
year ago. Thousands of refugees
streamed across the plains of north
ern Italy with little or no money and
with a few household belongings
snatched from their firesides as they
fled before the Austro- German ad-
vance. American ambulance sections
aided in the work of caring for the
wounded, while Red Cross workers es-
tablished rest stations and canteens