The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1918-10-30
WAR COUNCIL MESSAGE
TO RED CROSS CHAPTERS

Continued From Page One.
BY the terms under which the frs
Red Cross war fund was raised the
chapters were entitled to retain 2s
per cent of the amount collected. in
order to defray local expenses, etc
The chapters were thus entitled to re.
tain nearly $29,000,000. AS a mat
ter of fact their actual retentions
amounted to only about $22 900 900.
! Out Of collections from annual
memberships the chapters have re-
tanned about Sill, 100000.
1t will thus be seen that during the
IL months which have elapsed since
the United States entered the war,
the American people will have either
paid in or pledged to the American
Red Cross for its work of relief
throughout the world in money or in
material values, net total of at least
1926, 100000.
Your Red Cross now has active op-
Grating commissions in France. Eng
land, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Pal
estine, Greece. You have sent a shin
load of relief supplies and group Of
devoted workers to northern Russia:
you have despatched commission to
work behind our armies in eastern
Siberia; you have sent special repre-
scntatives to Denmark, to Siberia and
to the Island of Madeira. Your Red
Cross is thus extending relief to the
armies and navies Of our allies, car
rying practical message Of hope and
relief to the friendly people Of afflict-
ed Europe and Asia.
The veil has already begun to lift.
The detection of Bulgaria may point
the way to yet greater Red Cross ep-
portunity and obligation. 'The cry
from Macedonia" to come and help
will probably prove one Of the most
appealing messages to which the
world has ever listened.
The American, Red Cross has be-
come not so much an organization as
a great movement, seeking to embody
IN organized form the spirit Of SER
vice, the spirit Of sacrifice in short, all
that is best and highest in the ideals
and aspirations of our country.
AT Christmas time we shall ask the
whole American people to answer the
Red>- Cross Christmas roll call. 1t
will constitute an unique appeal to
every man, woman and child in this
great land of ours to become enrolled
10 our army Of mercy.
It has been because of this spirit
that the aged governor of one Of the
stricken and battered provinces of
France stated not long since, that.
though France had long known Of
americas greatness, strength and en-
.erprlse, It remained for the American
Ked Cross in this war to reveal Amer (
cas- heart.
But Of course the heart Of the Red I
yross and its money and attention 4
always move toward and focus them I
leives IN Europe whore the American 1
Red Cross, as truly "the greatest mo-
her IN the world, is seeking to, draw /
"a vast net Of mercy through an
ocean Of unspeakable pain"
Nothinp is withheld that can be
-lven over there to supplement the
hortS of our army and navyin car
ng for our own boys. The Red Cross
loes not pretend to do the work of the
dedical corps of the army or the navy
Its purpose is to help and to supple
nent.
BY the first of January, your Red
ross will have working in France up-
Yards of 5000 Americans vivid
to the little group of IS men
nd women which, as the first Red
ross commission to France, sailed
bout June !, 1917, to initiate our eff
orts in Europe.
Under your commission to France
ne work has been carefully organized
ac1iities have been provided and eff
ective efforts made to so cooperate
18th the army as to carry out the de-
of, the American people
nd especially of the members of the
ed Cross, that our boys over there
nall lack for nothing which may add
their safety, comfort and happi
ess.
1t is the hope of the War Council
lat this Christmas membership roll 6
all shall constitute RECONSIDERATION
the whole American people, an in /
bring reassertion to mankind that in !
MS hour of world tragedy, not to con-
ler but to serve is Americas SUI :
RENE aim.
Henry p. Dawson, q
Chairman.
'ashington, D.. c., Oct. 10, 1918.