Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1918-05-18
FOUR MINUTE SPEECH.
BY W. F. HANLEY.

fallible and sometimes it goes wrong
It drafted me for a four minute man,
that's mistake. l never could do any
thing in less than five. But ia its wis
dom, it limits me for your protection as
it should, and expects me to tell you all
/ know about the Red Cross in four
minutes.
what is the Red Cross ? 1t is a
benevolent organization which has for
it's president the commander-in-chief of
the American army, Woodrow Wilson,
president of the United States. The
Governors of our states, eminent states
men and rulers Of all civilized govern
ments of the world recognize and en-.
dorse it and call for its assistance in
disastrous emergencies. 1t is officered
and managed by philanthropic men and
women Of recognized ability who serve
without compensation. Its general ac-
counts are audited and checked by ex.
perts as most accounts of local Chapters
are, and all of them ought to be. 1t is
so fair, just and honorable in its admin
istration that it is above suspicion by the
most skeptical.
The Red Cross is generosity, kind
ness, sympathy and service efficiently
organized 1t is universal in scope and
benevolent in purpose. There are other
helpful charities but none 50 well equip
ped to alleviate human atiliction. 1t
questions no mans creed, only his need.
Its religion is the golden rule. Itknows
no sects, has no prejudces, it has only
an absorbing compassion for suffering
humanity. Being an instrument of
mercy, its mission is to comfort the sor-
rowing, clothe the naked, feed the hun
CRY, cure the sick and heal the wounded.
What great JOY and comfort it must have
brought to the bleeding hearts of the
afflicted Belgians and others, who were
cruelty crushed by the ruthless Kaisers
military desperadoes in shameful viola
ton of their solemn treaty to keep the
peace.
Heretofore the Red Cross has been
immune from attack and because of that
fact German soldiers are said to have
treacherousIy marched under the pro-
lection of its banner to places of safety
for themselves, from which the Allies
we're exposed to their murderous fire.
Members of the Red Cross being non
comhatants and instruments of mercy
have been considered free from danger,
but are they2 Hindenburg orders his
sharpshooters to get the Red Cross doc
tors. He says that one of these doctors
dead, is worth more t. his cause than
fifteen of our infantrymep.
These diabolical methods, together
with their nefarious intrigues and autro-
ciously wicked and villianous spy sys-
TENS, establishes the treacherous charac-
ter of our formidable foe. We need the
Red Cross to help us win this war.
The Red Cross needs another hundred
mil lion dollars and in the name of suf-
ferihg humanity is appealing to the gen.
erosity of the American people to con-
tribute that amount to this laudible
cause. Five hundred of that sum is
allotted to Custer Chapter. In this dis
tressing crisis it is not so much ques-
ton of who will contribute, as it is,
where is the Stacker who is able and vet,
has the heart to refuse, regardless oil
nationality, religion, politics or personal
principles in this hour of dire necessity,
Mankind is divided against itself.
The world Is at war with its consequent pangs.
Fight we must whether we wish 1t or not
Great interests are involved.
Our individual and national liberties
are menaced, the material development
and prosperity of the world is interrupt.
ed and the progress of civilization check.
ed by those barberous autocrats of au.
tocracy. The safety of freedom and
democracy is at stake.
Our valiant but exhausted Allies are
holding the line. Millions of Americas
choicest youths will brave the perils ol
the sea TO join them in the rescue.
Thousands of our precious boys are al
ready in the midst OF this murderous
| maelstrom.
We cannot be with them. The Red
Cross can. It's doctors and nurses stand
ready and willing to bathe their beating
brows and bandage their bleeding
wounds. Who stands ready and willing
to provide the funds? Whc will furnish
the bandages for the brave boys in
khaki who fall at the front in defense o
| old GLORY and that for " hirh II stands9