The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-10-23
ANNUAL MESSAGE TO
AMERICAN RED CROSS
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toontlnued from FIRST Page.)
enthusiasm and devotion in the do
ing, which, after all, are greater and
bigger than could be anything meas
ured in terms of time or dollars.
1t has been because of this spirit
which has pervaded all American Red
Cross effort in this war that the aged
governor of one fthe stricken and
battered provinces of France stated,
not long since, that, though France
| had long known of Americas great
ness, strength and enterprise, it re-
manned for the American Red Cross in
this war to reveal Americas heart.
In this country, at this moment, the
workers Of the Red Cross, through
its chapters, are helping to add to the
comfort and health of the millions of
Our soldiers in l02 camps and canton
ments, as we'll as of those travelling on
railroad trains or embarking on ships
| for duty overseas.
The Home Service of the Red
Cross, with its now more than 10000
workers, is extending its ministrations
OF sympathy and counsel each month
to upwards of 100000 families legt be-
hind at the front-a number ever
growing with the increase of our men
under arms.
But, of course, the heart of the Red
Cross and its money and attention al
ways move toward and focus them
selves in Europe where the Ameri-
can Red Cross, as truly the greatest
mother in the world" is seeking to
draw "a vast net of mercy through an
ocean of unspeakable pain
Nothing is withheld that can be
given over there to supplement the
efforts Of our Army and Navy in
caring for our own boys. The Red
Cross does not pretend to do the work
OF the Medical Corps of the Army OF
the Navy; its purpose is to help and
to supplement.
Nor does the Red Cross seek to
glorify what it does or those who do
it; our satisfaction is in the result,
which, we are assured by Secretary
Baker, General Pershing, General Ire
land and all our leaders, is of inesti-
mable value and OF indispensable im-
portance.
By the first of January, your Red
Cross will have working in France up
wards Of 5000 Americana vivid
contrast to the little group of eight
cen men and women which, as the
first Red Cross Commission to France
sailed about June /, 1917, to initiate
our efforts in Europe.
Under your Commission to France
the work has been arefully organic
ed, facilities have been provided, and
effective efforts made to SO cooper
ate with the army as to carry out the
determination of the American people,
oiu SoPSNldily VI tHC lllClilDClo VI lllC
Red Cross, that our boys "over there"
shall lack for nothing which may add
to their safety, comfort and happiness.
Your Red Cross now has active, OPP
Grating commissions in France, in
England, in Italy, in Belgium, i'll
Switzerland, in Palestine and in
Greece. You have sent a shipload Of
relief supplies and group OF devoted
workers to northern Russia; you have
despatched commission to work be-
hind our armies in eastern Siberia;
you have sent special representatives
to Denmark, to Serbia and to the Is
land of Madeira.
oooooooa
The Red Cross is thus extending re-
lief to the armies and navies Of our
Allies; and you are carrying prac-
teal message Of hope and relief to the
friendly peopels Of afflicted Europe
and Asia.
Indeed we are told by those best
informed in the countries Of our Allies
| that the efforts of your Red Cross to
aid the soldiers and to sustain the
morale OF the civilian population left
at home, especially in France and
Italy, have constituted very real fac