The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS


 Above the desolation of destroyed towns,
 cathedrals, narrowed farms and human
 misery unspeakable flies an emblem
 which heartens the downcast, for it is a
 cross of red on field of white.
 The smoke of world in conflagration
 has scarcely blown away. Famine threat ~t ems, and bony hands stretch out for help.
 But from stricken Belgium, bleeding Ser
 ba, downtrodden Poland, devastated
 France no whine Is heard, for even in
 the reaction from frightfulness brave ihearts which withstood years of anguish
 rise to their feet with morale unbroken tation.
 Out of the fires of hate the Red Cross floats merciful and glorifed In lands where misery spreads over the earth and creeps into ruined homes. It Is the rift in the black clouds which have shut out heaven from those who have lived in hell while the spirit of the old war gods of the Germans were sending forth devotees to kill and slay and spare not man. wom- an or child.
 l The Red Cross stands out sharp and clear against the iron cross of imperial Germany. It summons all Americans to the great task of assisting the unfor- tunate in the spirit of the Master who ] gave His life for the redemption of man. kind. The Red Cross gets brighter day by day, while the iron cross has be- come anathema to the better minded Ger mans, who are seeking to throw off the hated Hohenzollern yoke of cruelty and tyranny.
 l One of the best things happening is the 1 light regard in which the Emperor's fla nous medal is being held. It has been traded for cigarettes by captured boches. It has been torn from the breasts of home coming warriors-cursed and spat upon as a degrading emblem of autoc- racy, by those once taught to hold It in reverence. The Red Cross will grow l brighter in the future, while the iron cross will be known in history as a relic of barbaric militarism which knew no mercy, but trampled over the rights of the unprotected.
 The American Red Cross still has a one think that because peace is in sight it's work is finished Millions of our own boys are still under arms away from the home land with yet hard duties 1 to perform in the final battle for democ- racy. Thousands of them are sick and wounded. Owing to shortage in shipping 1t may take year or more to get those back who can be released from serving in protecting armies. No man knows what conditions will arise at and after the gathering of the delegates around the peace table,
 l The Red Cross is going to stand by the last boy in service at home or abroad and his family until he has been mus tered out and found his place once more. To let up now would be to show base ingratitude. It would be to raise the question mark in the minds not only of Europe, but our own people as to wheth- 1 CT the ideals we hope to see prevail were worth the sacrifice made to keep them alive in the hearts of those coun- tries being despoiled by the militarists whose gospel it was that might made right
 The Red Cross must always be ready ] for emergency demands. For situa- ton may arise which will test the strength of the allies to force their de- mands for justice and restoration. Then there is the thought that if the German propa gandists can have their way dis cord may arise among the entente pow CTS The transition peace period is bound to be a time of testing and the Red Cross must be vigilant and ready to throw in It's full weight for the right in the spirit of those who want durable peace to be evolved and not a patched up one. |
 1 Almost at the hour when the armi- stice was signed, Myron T Herrick, our former ambassador to France, sounded an appeal to Americans to help the refugees of France. The same need comes l up with greater insistence from Serbia from Poland from Belgium The de- mands which will be made upon our in- genuity and generosity will give us a chance to show to the world that there is no task too big for the great heart of America to tackle and overcome |
 1 Herbert Hoover is no alarmist. but he said that conditions of famine exist in Europe, which will be beyond our power to remedy unless we mobilize ali of our resources. He is not Thinking merely of the countries mentione\ above, but there ' looms up Russia and aven Turkey, for | 1t would be to deny the teachings of the Red Cross to leave the Holy Land, wrest- ed from the bloody Mohammedans. to die of starvation. Throughout the near east and in Europe the call comes to America, ls"Come over and help us.'' and we are going to do it in a big and hearty way if 1t takes further sacrifices.
 l
 I Are you set for the ameioration of 1 the stricken countries and denefseless peoples, then show It by joining the Red Cross roll call and see to 1t that your whole family is enrolled and then get out and work in conjunction with one of the various teams.
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