Evening star., 1922-10-09
RED CROSS PRAISED
FOR NEAR EAST AID
President Gratified by Quick
Action in Great and Ap-
peaIing Emergency.
SENDS CONVENTION NOTE
Judge Payne Tells Delegates Every
Penny Needed for Sufferers
Will Be Used.

Readiness of the America Red
Cross to meet all emergencies at all
times and anywhere was pointed out
at the first meeting of the annual
convention today in Memorial Con-
tinental Hall by Judge John Barton
Payne, who. was elected permanent
chairman of the convention. Judge
Payne has just returned from a trip
to Europe in connection with the
meeting Of the League of Red Cross
Societies.
President Harding. who is president
of the society. was unable to be pres
ent, but received the delegates at
the White House this afternoon at
12:45. He sent his regrets in the
following letter.
THE circumstances are such that
ing session of the annuak convention
of the American Red Cross beginning
in Washington this morning. I wish
you would express my very cordial
greetings and the satisfaction that ]
feel in knowing of this annual ses-
sion Of the delegates from the vari-
Gus chapters which give to the
American Red Cross its unfailing
strength and readiness for every
emergency.
Takes Pride I'm Red Cross.
'1t has been most gratifying to
learn that your executive committee
this morning has appropriated funds
and has taken steps to render efficient
relief in the great and appealing
emergency which has arisen in the
near east The readiness Of your or
ganization to meet this most distress
ing situation adds to our qualification
in being able to turn to a great or
ganization prepared for any task. The
consciousness of this capacity to do
things must contribute to the enthu-
siastic spirit which fmbues the Ameri-
can Red Cross throughout every unit,
and confidence of the people of the
United States in having such agency
to give expression to human SYM
pathy and helpfulness."
Gen. Pershing, who also was on the
program for an address today, could
not get here in time. Chairman Payne
announced. but expressed the hope
that the delegates would have the
opportunity of hearing the general al
one of the future conventions.
Tells Of Relief Plans.
Mr.. Payne told the delegates that
he had brought back the impression
from Europe that no matter what
the people thought of the political
conduct Of the United States there
was one thing on which he found
unanimity of opinion, and that was
on the splendid work Of the American
Red Cross. At some later time. he
told them. he would go into details
on this.
After telling that the central COM
mittee had decided to take up the
questioned as to the amount of
money which had been authorized, to
which he replied:
NO specific sum was appropriated.
and no one knows the amount that
will BE- BE- required; d., The E inst Instructions
takes all we have it will be spent.
and If it takes more than we have
we will get it."
Meeting Near East Crisis.
He outlined briefly his work in con-
nection with the international Red
Cross meeting. The immediate task
before the Red Cross, he said. grows
out Of the war between the Greeks
and Turks. The Red Cross took i'm
mediate steps upon his return to
meet that crisis. he said. and the note
Of the President merely emphasizes
the fact that the government Is cog
nizant of that situation. The plan
was agreed upon after q two-hour
conference on Saturday. and the Red
Cross, he continued. is prepared to
meet that emergency. The Paris rep
resentative has been directed to pro-
ceed and is expected to arrive at
Athens within two or three days. The
representative from here will be sent
on Wednesday.
The American Red Cross he pictured
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