Evening star., 1919-04-13

The plans by which the peoples of
the world may cooperate for the
betterment OF humanity are being
worked out at the preliminary Cannes
conference and will be ready in ample
time for the Geneva congress France.
Great Britain, Italy and Ja pan are the
countries associated with the United
States in the present conference in
France, these nations forming a sort
of steering committee" headed by
Henry P. Dawson. former chairman OF
the defunct war council of the Ameri-
can Red Cross and still a member of
the executive committee which re-
placed it in control since the reor-
ganization along peace lines. The
selection of Mr.. Dawson to head the
committee at Cannes was in recog-
nition of the re-eminence of the
American Red Cross in relief work. g
Leading Experts to Give Aid.
The worlds leading experts in pub
lie health. hygiene, sanitation. child
welfare and the combat of special dis
eases have been summoned to Cannes
to assist the steering committee. The
unification Of their effort is being di-
rected not only toward relieving hu
man suffering, but also toward pre-
venting it.
AS majority of the other nations
of the world have Red Cross organi-
cations or relief societies which func-
ton along Red Cross lines. it is be-
lfeved their governments will follow
the lead of Great Britain, France,
italy, Japan and the United States.
The international committee OF the
Red Cross at Geneva-organized in
1S63-the parent of the Red Cross
through which the various Red Cross
bodies will be kept apprised OF i'm
portant developments and discoveries.
A permanent organization. including
a staff of the worlds recognized
health experts. is to be maintained at
Gustav Ador. president. of Switzer-
land, has been at the head of the
international committee and one of
its most enthusiastic. workers for
a great many years.
Existing National Organizations.
The part the American Red Cross
will play in the universal program
will be directed by DR.. Livingston
Farrand, chairman of the central
committee of the organization. who
is now at Cannes helping to shape up
the program.
ganizations of the world is that of
Japan, with more than 100000 mem
bers.
From the date of it's organization
in 1864, the Italian Red Cross hats
been one of the worlds most inn
portant relief agencies.
France was among the first coun-
tries to establish Red Cross organl-
zations. the origin Of its relief So
ciety going back to 1865. The French
Red Cross provided more than $4,000
nurses Of all classifications and more
than 1,40O auxiliary hospitals. with
total of $4,000 beds, during the re-
cent war.
Great Britain's Red Cross came into
existence in 1868 and now is regarded
as one Of the best equipped of the re-
lief societies that are planning for the
future betterment of mankind. The Or
ganization has as its most valuable aux
iliary the English society known as the
Order of st. John of jerusalem. whose
origin dates back to the eleventh CEN
tury, and which. while cooperating to
the full with the Red Cross, retains its
own identity.
Russia. up to the time the revolu-
tionary elements took possession of
it, had a capable Red Cross organ
ization, the efficiency of which was
impaired to a great extent by politi-
cal and class troubles. More than
likely an effort will be made to have
the Organization represented at the
Geneva conference.