Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-12-17
RED CROSS XMAS ROLL CALL
GETS UNDERWAY WITH HUGE
= AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING
Italians Serenade General Gug-
Iiemotti and Give Him Mem
orabIe Ovation
PACK H. S. AUDITORIUM
Irish, French and American
Lieutenants Speak and Tell
of Red Cross Work

With q swing that predicts big
things in the success of the campaign
the Red Cross Christmas Roll Call
was started off yesterday and last
night in this city with a demonstra-
ton and mass meeting held last night
In the high school. which for enthu-
siasm surpassed anything of the kind
held here in several years.
At the meeting every seat was
taken and every foot OF standing
room accommodated an eager audi
tor.
Early In the evening the Italians
of the city formed a parade and,
headed by the Columbus Italian
Band, serenaded General Emelio
Gugliemotti who was being entertain
ed at dinner at the New Packer
House.
When the general, who is one of
the italian heroes of the world war,
came from the hotel the enthusiasm
of the Italians knew no bounds. Tho
band struck up with the Star Span
gled Banner" and the officer came
stiffly to attention.
When the general and his party
arrived at the high school Boy Scouts
lined the walk and they saluted the
party as it passed.
The meeting was opened by the
playing of the Star Spangled Ban
Rev. William II. Bawden offered the
invocation.
Albert Leon. general chairman of
the drive, presided. He said that he
was sure the people felt as the COM
mittee felt, that the Red Cross drive
here would be marked success and
that Perth Amboy would be well up
In the front rank of all the cities in
the state.
Mr.. Leon explained that there were
forty teams which were making a
house-to- house canvass of the city,
and he asked the people IL they were
In any way missed by the solicitors in
the canvass. that they would then vol
unfairly register their names in one
OF the many booths distributed around
the city.
Lieutenant Hugh Lofting of the
famous Irish Guards. was the first
speaker. He was given a great ova
ton when he came forward to speak
and stood at attention while the band
played God Save the King" He said
that the Adriatic sea had been made
an italian sea and that the deep
wound of France was healed by tho
winning back of Alsace-Lorraine, her
rightful possession.
Lieutenant Lofting said that as far
as the results OF the war was con-
cerned that the signing OF the armis-
tice was the time when things began
and were not ended, and that the fu-
ture OF this great age would be de-
termined by the people of the world
and not the rulers. Each one has his
own indy idual responsibility and can
fill that in no better way than becom-
ing members of the American Red
Cross, he remarked.
Lieutenant Caesar Michaux of the
French Army, who has been through
some of the most trying experiences of
the war. rose and the band played the
'Marsellaise." He said that France
would always speak of Americans in
the highest words OF praise and glory,
especially the Marines who saved the
day at Chateau Thierry. He told
about the first gas attack that the Ger
mans launched against the allies. He
said that France was by no means ex-
would soon quickly and vigorously re-
construct the country and once again
resume their normal status.
Mr.. Leon introduced two United
States soldiers who have seen action
and were wounded in France in the
Argonne offensive. One was Lieuten-
ant Earl Southers and the other Lieu
tenant William s. Vollenweider. Lieu
tenant Vollenweider declared that he
was made to fight not to speak, but
that Lieutenant Southers was both q
fighter and a speaker. so Lieutenant
Southers gave short talk and urged
the people to become members of the
Red Cross because he knew from ex-
perience how much the little comforts
which the Red Cross provides are well
coined by the men.
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