Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1919-07-05

nm It's an American idea,
this coordination Of the
common campaign against human suf-
fering in all lands, even though such
leaders as Henry P. Dawson, never give
out hint that the plan originated
In the United States. The French and
other allied experts who are helping
give the Americans fullest credit for
their foresight in launching the move
ment for a league of Red Cross So
cieties. 81
For the plan is launched. The in
ternational organization was begun at
a series of conferences held in the
Hotel Acknowledgements of the
American Red Cross in France, with
delegates of the French, English, Ital-
Ian and Japanese Red Cross societies
cooperating with the Americans on the
grand strategy of the campaign, which
in its conceptions and aims is the
greatest force that has yet been sug-
gested for the alienation of miseries
that are the burden Of the human race
The outstanding enemies of human
happiness everywhere, the Red Cross
experts have come to believe, are first
of all the more malignant diseases:
Tuberculosis, malaria. typhus or spot
ted fever, to say nothing of influenza
and venereal diseases.
If these maladies are to be fought
successfully, it means that contribu-
tory causes such as poor housing con-
ditions, unsanitary cities, neglect Of
child welfare movements, and in
efficient public health organizations
must be corrected and eradicated.
Consequently, when the first big
gathering of world famous experts was
held at Cannes, France, recently to for
mulate a program for the league of
Red Cross societies, those fundamental
subjects were given a most thorough
consideration and the opinions Of the
experts were co-ordinated on the main
features of the forthcoming crusade.
Some of the best scientific talent In
the world was brought together for the
Cannes conference. Out of the series
of meetings some concrete plans de-
veloped that will form the foundation
for the future work of the Red Cross
societies of the world.
One of the main thoughts expressed
by Mr.. Dawson, and approved by 9TH
er promoters of the plan, was the idea
that no Red Cross society will In any
measure lose its identity In support
ing and co-ordinating its efforts with
the league of Red Cross societies. Nor
will the national Red Cross organiza-
tons seek TO usurp the functions of the
various agencies already in existence
working for the prevention Of disease
and for the betterment of humanity.
Rather will the organizations, like the
American Red Cross for example, en-
courage and cooperate with institu-
tions like the United States public
health service, the Rockefeller founda-
ton and other similar organizations,
in the general fight against disease.
One Of the important decisions Of
the Cannes conference was an agree
ment on the campaign plans for curb
ing the ravages of tuberculosis, which
has become more prevalent in Europe
since the war on account Of the low
nutrition value of the diet of the peo-
pie, and because of the general fuel
shortage and the shoddy clothing that
came into use as a result of the short
age In raw materials due to restricted
fmportations of wool and cotton While
the European populations generally
suffered from the cold of winter In fire.
less houses. their clothes were less
warm, and their diet was less heating
than in the pre-war days. These con-