Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-03-06

"As for work among the French peo-
Pile. now that hostilities have ceased
the French themselves naturally pre-
fer as far as possible 10 provide for
their own. Ii has accordingly been de-
termined that the guiding principle OF
Red Cross policy In France hencefOrth
shall be 10 have punctilious regard 10
it's every responsibility. but to direct
It's efforts primarily 10 assisting
French relief societies. The liberated
anl ''c' 'a;ca RI IONS 80 nance in1r
been divided by The rovernn, nj into
small districts, each officially assigned
to a designated French relief organi-
zation.
The American Red Cross work In
France was initiated by commission
OF eighteen mel who landed on French
shores June 10, 1917. Since then
some 1900 persons have been upon the
rolls in France. OF whom 1000 were
actively engaged when the armlstice
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 Expeditlonary Force
having largely evacuated England, the
activities OF the Red Cross Commits
sion there are naturally upon a dimin-
ishing 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, sent
practical message of sympathy and
relief, for which the government and
people OF Italy have never ceased 10
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, II has
been possible 10 divert supplies and
personnel in large measure 10 the aid
OF those people In the Near East who
have hitherto been inaccessible 10 out
side assistance, but whose sufferings
luNt IffAl hlNil an nHHblAAhk oNAi's
The needs OF these peoples are so vast
that government alone can meet them,
but the American Red Cross Is making
an effort TO relieve Immediately the
more acute distress
AN extensive group OF American
workers has been dispatched 10 carry
vitality needed supplies, and 10 work
fI.f L.. IL, II. To-
tries In order 10 coordinate their ac-
tivities, Balkan commission has been
established, with headquarters at
Rome, Italy, from which point alone
an 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 invallds 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 been
given TO the Armenian and Syrian Re
lief Commission. which was the only
agency able 10 carry relief in the in
terror OF Turkish dominions.
Red Cross viii Continue.
RED Cross effort is thus far flung
Il will continue to be so. But the
movement represented by this work
has likewise assumed an intimate place
in the daily life OF our people at home
The army Of workers which has been
recruited and trained during the war
must not be demobilzed. All our ex-
perience in the war shows clearly that
there is an unlimited field for service
OF the kind which can be performed
with peculiar effectiveness by the Red
Cross What its future tasks may be
II is yet impossible TO forecast We
know that so long as there is an Amer
lean army in the field the Red Cross
will have a special function 10 perform
Nothing could be OF greater impor
lance 10 the American Red Cross than
the plans just set in motion by the FIVE
great Red Cross societies OF the world
TO develop n program Of extended &C
tivties in the interest OF humanity
The conception involves not alone eff
forts TO relieve human suffering, but
to prevent IT not alone a movement
by the people Of an individual nation,
but an attempt 10 arouse all people TO
sense OF their responsibility for the
welfare Of their fellow beings through.
out the world. II is a program both
Ideal and practical Ideal In that its
supreme aim is nothing less than YER
liable Peace on earth good will to
men," and practical in that II seeks 10
take means and measures which are
actually available and make them ef-
fective in meeting without delay the
crisis which is daily recurrent In the
lives Of all peoples.
For accomplishing it's mission I'm
the years OF peace which must lie
ahead OF us the Red Cross will require
the ablest possible leadership, and
must enjoy the continued support, sym
patty, and participation I'm its work
OF the whole American people. II Is
particularly fortunate that such man
as DR.. Livingston Farrand should have
been selected as the permanent head
Of the organization. The unstinted
fashion In which all our people gave
Of themselves throughout the war is
the best assurance that our Red Cross
will continue to receive that co-opera-
tion which will make It's work a source
OF pride and inspiration to every Amer.
lean"