McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-11-01

tLan could De anything measured Ia
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 of the stricken and
battered provinces Of France stated
not long since that, though France had
long known of Americas greatness.
strength and enterprise, 1t remained
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 102 camps and canton
ments, as well 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 SYM
pathy and counsel each month to up
wards Of 100000 families left behind
by soldiers 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 American
Red Cross, as truly "the greatest moth
er In the world" Ia seeking to draw q
vast net Of mercy through an ocean of
pain"
Red Cross Worth Recognized.
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 or the navy;
its purpose ID to help and to supple
ment.
Nor does the Red Cross seek to
glorify what 1t does Or those who do
1t; our satisfaction is in the result.
which, we are assured by Secretary
Baker, General Pershing, General Ire
land and all our leaders, is of ines
Unable value and of indispensable I'M
portance.
BY the first Of January your Red
Cross will have working in France up
wards Of 5000 Americans-a vivid
contrast to the little group Of eighteen
men and women which, as the first Red
Cross commission to France, sailed
about June |. 1917. to Initiate our ef-
forts in Europe.
Under your commission to France
the work has been carefully organized,
facilities have been provided, and ef-
fective efforts made to so cooperate
with the army as to carry out the de-
termination Of the American people,
and especially of the members Of the
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 Eng
land, in Italy, In Belgium, in Switzer-
land, In Palestine and in Greece. You
have sent shipload of relief supplies
and group of devoted workers to
northern Russia; you have dispatched
a commission to work behind our arm
les in eastern Siberia; you have sent
special representatives to Denmark, to
Serbia and to the island Of Madeira.
Carries Message Of Hope.
Your Red Cross is thus extending re-
lief to the armies and nayies of our
allies; and you are carrying practical
message of hope and relief to the
friendly peoples of afflicted Europe and
Asia.
Indeed, we are told by those best In
formed 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 populations left
at home. especially in France and
Italy, have constituted very real fac
tor In winning the war.
The veil has already begun to lift
The detection Of Bulgaria, which BY
the time this message can be read may
have been followed by events still more
portentous, may point the way to yet
greater Red Cross opportunity and OBJ
legation. 1.-THE cry from Macedonia" to
come and help will probably prove one
of the most appealing messages to
which the world has ever listened.
What the Red Cross may be called
upon to do In the further course Of the
war, or with the coming OF victory.
peace and reconstruction, It would be
idle to attempt to prophssy.
But your great organization. In very
truth ''the modified heart and spirit
of the whole American people" has
shown itself equal to any call, ready to
respond to any emergency.
Spirit Of All Best and Highest.
The American Red Cross has become
not so much an organization as great
movement, seeking to embody In organ
, lied form the spirit Of service, the
spirit of sacrifice-in3 short, all that Is
best and highest in the ideals and as
piratiOns OF our country.
Indeed we cannot but believe that
this wonderful spirit which service in
and tor the Red Cross has evoked In
this war, Is destined to become In our
national life an element Of permanent
value.
At Christmas time we shall ask the
whole American people to answer the
Red Cross Christmas roll call. 1t will
constitute unique appeal to every
man, woman and child In this 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 remuneration
Of the whole American people. an in
spring reassertion to mankind that in