The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-03-05

pic, now that hoStilities have ceased,
the French themselves naturally pre-
fer as far as possible to provide for
their own. 1t has accordingly been de-
termined that the guiding principle of
Red Cross policy In France henceforth
shall be to have punctilious regard to
Its every responsibility, but to direct
Its efforts primarily to assisting
French relief societies. The liberated
and devastated regions of France have
been divided by the government into
small districts, each officially assigned
to a designated French relief organi-
Zation.
THE American Red Cross work In
France was initiated by a commission
of eighteen men who landed on French
shores June ID, 1917. Since then
some 5000 persons have been upon the
rolls in France, of whom 1000 were
actively engaged when the armistice
was signed. An indication OF the pres
ent scale of the work will be obtained
from the fact that the services of 6.O0O
persons are still required.
"Our American Expeditionary Force
having largely evacuated England, the
activities Of the Red Cross Commits
sion there are naturally upon a dimin-
fishing scale period. Active operations
are still in progress in Archangel and
Siberia.
"The work in Italy has been almost
entirely on behalf of the civilian pop
ulation of that country. In the critical
hours of Italy's struggle the American
people, through their Red Cross, sen
a practical message of sympathy and
relief, for which the government and
people of Italy have nev ceased to
express their gratitude.
Supplies and Personnel to Near East.
THE occasion for such concentra-
tion of effort in Italy, England, Bel
GUM and even In France having natur-
ally and normally diminished, It has
been possible to divert supplies and
personnel In large measure to the aid
of those people In the Near East who
side assistance, but whose s~ufferings
have been upon an appalling scale
The needs of these peoples are so vas
that government alone can meet them,
but the American Red Cross Is making
an effort to relieve Immediately the
more acute distress.
IAN extensive group of American
workers has been dispatched to carry
vitality needed supplies, and to work
this winter In the various Balkan coun
tries. In order to coordinate their &C
tivities, a Balkan commission has beer
established, with headquarters a
Rome, Italy. from which point alone
all the Balkan centers can be reached
promptly.
"A commission has Just reached Pc
land with doctors and nurses, medica
supplies, and food for sick children
and invalids. An American Red Cross
Commission has also been appointed
to aid in relieving the suffering of Rus
sian prisoners still confined In German
prison camps.
"An important commission is still
working In Palestine. Through the
war special cooperation has beer
given to the Armenian and Syrian Re
lief Commission, which was the only
agency able to carry relief In the in
terror Of Turkish dominlons.
Red Cross viii Continue.
Red Cross effort Is thus far flung
1t will continue to be SO. But tn,
movement represented by this worl
has likewise assumed an intimate plac,
In the daily life of our people at home
The army Of workers which has beer
recruited and trained during the wa
must not be demobilized. All u ex
perience in the war shows clearly tina
there Is an unlimited field for service
OF the kind which can be performed
with peculiar effectiveness by the Re-
Cross. What Its future tasks may b.
1t is yet impossible to forecast. w
know that so long as there Is an Amer
lean army In the field the Red eros
will have a special function to perform
Nothing could be Of greater impor
lance to the American Red Cross thai
the plans just set I'm motion by the fv
great Red Cross societies Of the worl,
to develop a program OF extended &C
tivitles in the interest Of humanity
The conception involves not alone e1
forts to relieve human suffering, bu
to prevent 1t; not alone a movemen
by the people of an individual natior
but an attempt to rouse all people t
a sense of their responsibility for tn
welfare of their fellow beings through
out the world. 1t is q program bot
ideal and practical. Ideal In that ii
supreme aim is nothing less than vel
liable peace on earth good will I
men, and practical In that 1t seeks
take means and measures which ar
actually available and make them e
fective In meeting without delay tn
crisis which is daily recurrent in tn
lives Of all peoples.
For accomplishing Its mission
the years Of peace which must II
ahead Of us the Red Cross will reQuir
the ablest possible leadership, an
must enjoy the continued support, syn
patty. and participation In Its wor
of the whole American people. 1t
particularly fortunate that such a ma
as DR.. Livingston Farrand should hav
49, -1.S a. @kr I~o