The Brinkley argus., 1919-03-21

actually increased since the armistice.
 "As for work among the French peo- pie. now that hostilities have ceased, the French themselves naturally pre- fer as far as possible to provide for their own. It has accordingly been de- termlned 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- xation.
 "The American Red Cross work in France was initiated by a commission of eighteen men who landed on French shores June 13, 1017., 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 5000 persons are still required.
 Our American Expeditionary Force having largely evacuated England, the activities of the Red Cross Commis- sion there are naturally upon . dimin- ishing scale period. Active operations arc 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. seat a practical message of sympathy and relief, for which the government and people of Italy have never ceased to express their gratitude.
 eupplIes and Personnel to Near Eas&
 "The occasion for such concentra- ton of effort in Italy, England, Bel gium and even in France having natur- ally and normally diminished, 1t has been possible to divert supplies and | personnel in large measure to the aid of those people in the Near East who have hitherto been inaccessible to out side assistance, but whose sufferines have been upon an appalling scale. Tho needs of these peoples are % vat that government alone can meet them, but the American Red Cross is making | an effort to relieve immediately the moro acute distress.
 | "An extensive group of American workers has been dispatched to carry | vitally needed supplies, and to work this winter in the various Balkan coun- tries. In order to coordinate their ac- tivities, . Balkan commission has been established, with headquarters at Rome, Italy, from which point alens | ali the Balkan centers can be reached promptly.
 "A commission has just reached Pc land with doctors and nurses. medical supplies, and food for sick children and invalids. An American Red Crooo 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 been given to the Armenian and Syrian Re
 lief Commission, which was the only agency able to carry relief In the in' terlor of Turkish dominions.
 Red Gross Will Continue.
 "Red Cross effort Is thus far flung
 It will continue to be so. But tho
 movement represented by this worA
 has likewise assumed an intimate place in the daily life of our people at home The army of workers which has beer recruited and trained during the wal must not be demobilized. All our ex , perience in the war shows clearly tha there is an unlimited field for service
 of the kind which can be performed with peculiar effectiveness by the Rex Cross. What it's future tasks may b. , 1t is yet impossible to forecast. w , know that so long as there is an Amer ican army in the field the Red Cros
 will have a special function to perform . "Nothing could be of greater impor
 tance to the American Red Cross thai
 the plans just set in motion by the fiv
 great Red Cross societies of the worl' to develop a program of extended ac tivities in the interest Of humanity J The conception involves not alone el forts to relieve human suffering, bu to prevent it; not alone movemen by the people of an individual natiol ' but an attempt to arouse all people a sense of their responsibility for tn n welfare of their fellow beings througl
 out the world It is program bot ideal and practical. Ideal in that il supreme aiD is nothing less than ve itable .,1sGcs on earth good will men " and m -atieal in that It seeks take means and z n,a.a ,hen, .
 actually available an, ~, sa,av fl
 fective in meeting witho. :. Y, 4,
 crisis which Is daily recurren.
 lives of all peoples.
 For accomplishing it's mission fl
 the years of peace which must II,
 ahead of us the Red Cross will reauir. the ablest possible leadership, ant must enjoy the continued suDport avn