Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-13

was in complete retreat-or rather
should say rout. There were 100000 OF
! GOO. 600 refugees streaming into districts
which were already very short of the
necessary supplies of life. The question
was not whether the Piave line could be
helo-no one high in supreme command
thought that 1t could be held. The only
question was how soon they were to re-
treat to the Adige and the Pc; and If they
came there it might have meant tina;
Italy would be lost TO the Allies.
| II ever there was time for someone to
pat fellow on the back and get him tc
"buck up and do something" 1t was In
Italy when the Piave was taken. All
kinds of funny conditions existed over
there; and the only country from which
real word of encouragement could come
then was the United States: and the
United States could not speak it. Con-
gress was not in session Qaughter), and
we could not do the only thing which
would have meant anything to Italy at
that time and that was to declare war
on Austria A propaganda was under
way to the effect that America was not
really in the war, as we had not declared
war on Austria; that we were not we'll
disposed toward Italy; that America had
done nothing but lend money to italy and
take back an obligation with interest al.
tached. There was not official organiza-
ton that could speak, but the American
CHI
loud. (Applause) We plastered the
American flag from one end of Italy to
the other (Applause.) The man that did
1t was Carl Taylor who was in charge of
the organization in Italy. and it was one
Of the greatest pieces of work I ever saw
1t was so great that when we finally did
declare war on Austria, the Prime Minis
ter rose in the Chamber of Deputies "a
make that solemn speech. in which he an
nounced: The vigor and the efficiency
IN which the American Red Cross has
acted in this crisis may be taken as an
earnest of the efficiency we NAV expect
from America in military way now that
she is IN the war. (Applause)
Now, how we did it I am not going ia
say. am not going to spoil a sort of
best seller just arrived from Italy which
will be published and sent to you soon,
gut it was a very interesting and f1ne
piece Of work. and if you had seen it you
would have been very proud of it,
In Great Britain.
In Great Britain we are carrying on a
large work. and one which Is having an
excellent effect We are operating a
number Of hospitals. supporting number
of good works, carrying on a number oc
good works in Great Britain in co-opera-
ton with the British Red Cross and the
British government for the manufacture
of supplies for the use Of our troops ana
the cooperation from Great Britain Is
one of the most beautiful things I have
seen in the world. prolonged applause J
And want to tell you something of the
spirit of these people: it is something that
is sublime. (Applause) There is no wall
ing in England. You read the death no.
tees. and one-half of them run, I'm
proud and loving memory" You are
there IN England on clear night with
the moon out. and the women look up at
the sky and say, well. it is a clear night,
and 1t will be raid; but we will be
mighty glad of it, as it will help them in
Flanders"
! You do not find women using influence
to get gasolene to run their motor cars,
or TO get extra coal; they are playing the
game, and right down to the hilt. Ap-
plause.) Now l think have pretty near
ly exhausted you and my subject is not
started yet, Uaughter) But wish to
say three things before / stop. In the
first place: ] want to express the great
appreciation we have in France for the
cooperation we have had from our sister
societies there. l cannot commend too
strongly the spirit we carried on in these
dreadful days when we were neutral. We
worked in England and in France, which
kept the light of America burning. no
matter how dimly, on that side of the
Water. (Applause)
I do not know of a single important
American organization that existed in
France when we came. with which we are
not working there today in full and COM
plete accord. (Applause) Some Of them
have come entirely in with US as part Of
our organization. for instance, as Mrs
Bliss distributing service. Others, as the
American Fund for French Wounded
and the Surgical Dressings Organization.
and not single important organization
which existed there when we went over
out 1s now member of the family.
IN Great Britain magnificent piece Of
work has been done by Mrs. WhteIow
Reid' and the work carried on there and
the success we have had has been infn-
lteiy more due to the work of Mrs. Reid
IMAM all the rest OF us together. The
women who have come here to do work
nave done magnificent things not only in
canteen work but in the administration
ana carrying out of the general work We
are DONG. Over there. in our organiza-
iioh' we have American women and thew
are doing things with an inspiration and
an eHiciency which. sets a standard for
every man in the show.
Worse than Germans,
Now there is one last thing: / am go
ing to France on Saturday. Applause and
iaughterD / came here with a very h,,ov-
ant Keeling about America: / am po,r.
BACK good deal worried There ia ~,
one save those on the other side who