New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-22
III. p. Dawson Outlines Big
Welfare Plan to Dele
gates to Peace Meeting
Wilson Sees Huge Benefit
Clemenceau Also Endorses
Idea; General Programme
to Help All in Peace Time

terested in the proposed league of
nations and ambassadors and minis
tiers from various countries, together
with several hundred newspaper rep
resentatives from Allied and neutral
countries, at q dinner here tonight
heard H. p Dawson, of the American
Red Cross, announce in outline inter
national Red Cross plans for world
welfare
Mr.. Dawson has been named chair
man of a committee of Red Cross So
cieties representing the organizations
Ill the United States, Great Britain,
Italy, France and Japan, ito formulate
and propose to the Red Cross societies
Of the world programme of extended
Red Cross activities IN the interest Of
humanity"
Notables Attend Dinner
Among those present at the dinner
were Eleutherios Venzelos, Premier
OF Greece; William f. Massey, Pre-
mier of New Zealand; w. f. Lloyd,
Premier of Newfoundland; William
Graves Sharp, American Ambassador
to France; N. P. Pachitch, former
Premier Of Serbia; Jules PANS, French
Minister of the Interior; Robert
Woods Bliss. secretary of the Amer
lean Embassy; Paul Hymans, head of
the Belgian peace delegation: Cab
riel Hantaux, former French Foreign
Minister; Sir Robert L. Borden, Pre-
mier Of Canada, and Mn. Gauthier
and Rappart, representing the Inter
national Red Cross of Geneva.
Mr.. Dawson read wireless message
from President Wilson, which the Pres
ident sent to be communicated to the
guests, as follows:
II sincerely regret am not
in Paris to join in expressing sup
port and approval of the plans an
nounced for co0rdnating and ex-
tending the efforts of the Red Cross
societies of the world. | have been
familiar with these plans from their
inception. They contain great pos
sibilities for lessening and prevent
ing distress among all peoples
Will Spread Fraternity
"This would be enough amply to JUS
tify the utmost effort, but there is a
further promise that the joint efforts
of the Red Cross societies acting in
concert will hasten and broaden the
spread of fraternal feeling among the
peoples.
'For these two reasons I am
heartily in accord with the step now
to be taken; to bring together,
through the Red Cross societies of
the world, all those forces which in
this way can be directed toward
lessenirg the sutferings and bur
dens of humanity wherever and in
hot
sincerely trust that the plans which
are now to be announced may have
the support and active assistance of
all governments and all peoples be-
fore whom they may be brought
Mr.. Dawson then read the following
letter from Premier Clemenceau to
Colonel House, written the day before
the Premier was shot
Dear Colonel House, have read
with the keenest interest the letter
which you have done me the honor
to send me. approve in the full
est possible manner of the plans to
extend and to coordinate the activ-
ties of the Red Cross and | believe
that from this step great good will
accrue to humanity, which has so
many wounds that need dressing.
at would indeed, have given me
the greatest pleasure to present in
person to Mr.. Dawson, whose gener-
Gus efforts | have been in position
to fully appreciate personally, the
thanks Of France and her promise of
most cordial cooperation in his I'M
dertaking, but the state of my health
Will not permit me to assist at the
dinner over which he will preside.
However, | have directed NJ. Pans,
the Minister of the Interior TO rep
x>,l,
this banquet and at it to express the
feelings of the French government
on the subject.
Il beg you, dear Colonel House, TO
accept with my regrets at being IN
able to attend the banquet, the as
surance of my high esteem and of
my friendship.
&C. CLEMENCEAU.p
Mr.. Dawson alluded to the work of
all the Red Cross societies and the
countries represented in them, includ-
ing America. with its AT 900 600 CON
tributors. He continued
"As soon as the armistice was signed
we who were informed concerning the
crying needs of the world felt an i'm
pelling obligation to get together for
the purpose of finding a way of con-
tributing to the world the benefit Of
our experience WIFI lnc purpose OF CO.
originating the efforts OF all the Red
Cross societies of the world in the in
terest of mankind. 1t seemed to us
that with a league of nations based
upon high ideals, there should also
come league of Red Cross societies of
nations and that there should be de-
veloped in every country an active Red
Cross society for the purpose of doing
everything possible to endeavor not
only to cure disease. 3ut, so ia ras
practicable, to cleanse the world and
prevent disease and suffering.
Plan Simple in Design
al am fearful that if I were to stop
here you would rate me as theoretical
idealist, but | am confident that when
you become fully informed of the
/ plan which we shall present you will
find it not only simple in design but
easy Of execution. I will relate it as
briefly as possible.
"The Red Cross organizations of the
five great powers represented here to-
night recently held conference at
Cannes, where views were exchanged
and a general programme adopted We
adjourned from Cannes to Geneva,
where we called upon the Interna-
tional Red Cross and presented our
suggestions. Gustave Ador, president
of the international Red Cross and
president of the Swiss Confederation.
gave us Il most cordial reception and
received our suggestions with every