The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-10-24
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
Continued from page -

"This outpouring of generosity in
material things has been accompani-
ed by a spontansety in the giving, by
an enthusiasm and a devotion in the
doing, which, after all, are greater
and bigger than could be anything
measured in terms of time or dollars.
at has been because of this spirit
which has prevailed all American Red
Cross effort in this war that the
aged governor of one of the strick-
en- and battered provinces of France
stated, not long since, that, though
France had long known of Americas
greatness, strength and enterprise, it
remained for the American Red Cross
in this war to reveal Americas !
heart
an this country, at this moment, |
the workers of the Red Uross through |
it's chapters, are helping to add 20
! the comfort and health of the mil
lions of our soldiers in 102 camps
and environments, as we'll as of those
| travelling on railroad trains or en-
| barking on ships for duty overseas.
"Thc 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 left
behind by soldiers at the front-a
number ever growing with the in
crease of our men under arms.
"But of course, the heart Of the
Rcd Cross and its money and atten-
ton always move toward and focus
themselves in Europe Nothing lis
withheld that can be given over
there to supplement the efforts of OUT
Army and Navy caring for our OWE
boys Our satisfaction is in the re-
suit, which, VIC are assured by Secre
tary Baker, General Pershing, Gencr
al Ireland and all our leaders, is OF
i. inestimablc value and Of indispens-
able Importance.
= "By the first of January, your
Red Cross will have working in
t France upwards of 5000 Americans
t a vivid contrast to the little group
= of Is men and women, which, as the
n first Red Cross Commission to
France, sailed about June l, 1917, to
! initiate our efforts in Europe.
] "Under your Commission to France
1 the work has been carefully organic
{ cd, facilities have been provided, and
effective efforts made to so cooperate
!, with the Army as to carry out the
y determine ton of the American peo-
= pie, and especially of the members
y Of the Red Cross, that our boys
= cover there" shall lack for nothing
= which may add to their safety, com
Fort and happiness.
: "Your Red Cross now has active
u operating commissions in France, il
/ England, in Italy, in Belgium, il
C Switzerland, in Palestine and il
G Greece. You have sent a shiploac
! of relief supplies and a group Of
devoted workers to northern Russia
IS you have despatched commission tc
n work behind our armies in eastern
IS Siberia; you have sent special repre-
e sentatives to Denmark, to Serbia
y and to the Island of Madeira.
n "Your Red Cross is thus extend
ing relief to the armies and navies
O. of our Allies. We are told by those
IS best informed in the countries of oul
o Allies that the efforts of your Rec
l. Gross to aid the soldiers and to sus-
IS tain the morale of the civilian popu
c lations left at home, especially, il
e France and Italy, have constituted {
very real factor in winning the war;
Il E'What the Red Cross may be callef
" upon to do in the further course OF
is the war; or with the coming Of vic
&c tory, peace and reconstruction, il
y would be idle to attempt to prophesy
70 But your great organization, in very
n truth "thc modelled heart and spirit
IS of the whole American people," has
shown itself equal to any call, ready
- to respond to any emergency. We
e cannot but believe that this won
= derful spirit which service in and fol-
the Red Cross has evoked in this war
- is destined to become in our nation
= al life an clement of permanent
- value.
e "At Christmas time we shall ash
- the whole American people to answer
the Red Cross Christmas roll call L
will constitute an unique appeal t.
G every man, woman and child in thi.
great land of ours to become enrolled
in our army of mercy 1t is The
hope of the War Council that this
Christmas membership roll call shall
{ constitute reconsecration of thu
a whole American people, an inspiring
s reassertion to mankind that in this
hour of world tragedy, not to con
n quer but to serve is Americas SUI
ii prcme aim"
&c
J. GERMAN GRAFT