The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-12-05
Red Cross Report

New York, Dec. Henry +. Da-
vison, chairman of the war council
of the American Red Gross, has just
returned to this country, after three
months spent in England, France, Bel
GUM, Italy and Switzerland, inspect
ing Red Cross activities in those
countries.
Immediately on his return Mr.. pa-
vison issued the following statement:
More than 100000 American
people subscribed to the American
Red Cross within a period of II mon
tbs total aggregating 100000
in money. and contributed manufac-
tured goods of an estimated value OF
approximately $A4.O00,O00.
While from time to time detailed
statements have been issued by the
war council showing expenditures as
made and giving full account OF the
operations undertaken, few have
been in a position to know, but all
should know. Of the results OF our
work in foreign countries by those
best qualified to Judge.
1 therefore, as chairman OF the
war council make the following re-
port upon my second trip to Europe
this year, from which l have just re-
turned This trip was made for the
express purpose of inspecting our
work among our forces abroad, which
l desired especially to do because of
the suddenly enlarged military pro-
gram of our army, which necessitat-
ed a corresponding increase in Red
Cross service to our men.
In making this report l shall speak
less of my own Impressions and OBJ
servations, and more of what has
been said by military and govern
mental officials abroad in a position
to speak authoritatively Of what the
American Red Cross has done for
armies and for nations in the thea
ter of war.
My own visits to the various fronts
have gratified me and increased my
pride in our soldiers and my salts
faction in the work the American
Red Cross is doing for them. After
rather extensive Journeys in Eng
land, Belgium, France, Switzerland
and Italy, l can report to the Amer
lean people that wherever our troops
have been fighting, the American
Red Cross has been with them, con-
veying to them in spirit. word, act
and fact the benefits of our organiza-
ton, whose efficient work has been
made possible by the volunteer serv-
ice of the people of America.
A large American Red Cross force
is working with our troops in Eng
land, and a yet larger force in
France, where a personnel of Is in
June, 1917, has developed into an Or
ganiZation of more than 1000 men
@Sss0uSas@0s>sszusszs.s s.ssI.yz
in their various fields Of operation.
While most of our work in Italy
has been in connection with the Ital-
ian military and civilian population,
such of our troops as have been there
have been served as elsewhere.
In Switzerland our representatives
are chilly concerned with extending
relief to American prisoners Of war,
though they are also caring for the
few Americans interned in Switzer-
land.
American Red Cross welcomed the
American troops at Archangel, and
is also operating with them on the
eastern front Of Russia. In short,
our Ammrican battalions, wherever
they may be, are receiving devoted
service from American Red Cross.
AS has always been made clear,
the service to our forces is purely
supplementary to that of the Army
and Navy, and is rendered on request
from the proper authorities. A swe
have been given ample oppor-
tunity to demonstrate our usefulness.
comment Oh the quality of our serv-
ice comes more fittingly from Com
handing Officers in the Army and
Navy than from myself. In the course
OF long visit which l had with Cen
eral Pershing. he expressed himself at