New-York tribune., 1919-05-23
All Civilized Nations Except
Germany and Her Allies
Banded Together in Work
of Human Betterment
Gen. Henderson Director
Chairman III. p. Dawson
Makes Announcement on
Arrival From Europe
The League Of Red Cross Societies i

The League Of Red Cross Societies is
an established entity.
That the civilized nations of the
world had been banded together by
means of this league, the sole purpose
Of which is the betterment of the con-
dition Of the human family, was an
nounced yesterday by Henry P Dav-
ison, former head of the American
Red Cross, on his return from a five
month tour Of Europe.
All of the powers now possessing
Red Cross organizations with the ex-
ception of those of Germany and her
allies, have been invited to join the
new league and not one has declined
The countries invited are: Australia,
Belgium, Brazil, Canada. Chill, China,
Cuba, Denmark, Greece, Holland India
New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal,
Roumania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezu-
ella, Argentine.
.In the phraseology of Mr.. Dawson
ing house for the best scientific in
formation, for the maintenance of
health and the improvement of tho
condition of man. 1t is planned to
inform the headquarters of the league,
at Geneva, Switzerland, OF every scien-
tihc discovery for the treatment of
human ailments, particularly. the dis
eases that may become epidemic. and
distribute the knowledge thus collected
throughout the world through the Red
Cross members.
Moreover, the Red Cross now has
powerful organizations in every corner
of the world, thus making it possible
for neighboring nations to render i'm
mediate and efficient help at any time
disaster demands heroic measures
Heretofore the American Red Cross
has borne the brunt of organization
and the maintenance of temporary re-
lief stations in every part of the world
when such emergencies arose.
The league was organized and worked
out in detail at meetings recently held
in Paris. Representatives of the Red
Cross organizations from the United
States, Great Britain, France, Italy and
Japan were the founders of the new
international body. In this way it is
patterned after the league of nations,
Headquarters were opened in Geneva
Immediately after the signing of the
articles of the association in Paris on
May s. Mr.. Dawson, who originated the
plan for the league, was made chair
man of its board Of trustees. Lieuten-
ant General Sir David Henderson,
whose constructive work in the organi-
zation of British industries during the
war is credited with accomplishing
much for the Allies, was named as its
director general.
First hand evidence of the necessity
for some great world organization to
meet the present demand for relief
agencies, was found by Mr.. Dawson on
his recent tour of Europe. Distress
caused by hunger, epidemics and LACK
of the necessities of life in Poland, the
Balkans and Russia, he said, was so
great as to be indescriba bic
THE average American has no con-
ception of the suffering that is an
everyday occurrence among millions of
people there" he said. "Mcn, women
and children whose vitality has been
lowered to a point where they cannot
resist disease still are without the
very simplest requirements of life. Red
Cross bandages are wrapped about
mems legs to take the place of trous-
ers. Garments are almost unknown to
millions Of people"