Evening star., 1924-10-06

1T does give prompt and adequate
help during the emergency period to
those afflcted by circumstances over
which the will of the individual has
no control.
"One of the greatest needs con-
fronting civilization Is just this kind
of practical idAalism, sensitive to
sacrifice necessary to relieve suffer-
ing ard pave the way to a return of
normal and happier things Only q
few days after l began to discharge
the trust imposed upon me by the
highest Office in the land, I was to
have mighty example of the unself-
ish sympathy of our people. It's mani
festation ever will remain with me.
THE great and friendly nation of
Japan had been stricken by one of
the most appalling catastrophes In
the history of man. According to es-
Inmates more than 400. 900 people were
killed. Some Of its richest and most
populous areas were devastated
Great cities lay in ruins.
mo better example of the conf
dence of the American people in their
Red Cross could be had than the Law
ish response given it's appeal for
funds to help Japan. Like an army,
the thousands of Red Cross chapters
throughout the land mobilized to re-
Ceive and direct the charity of our
Nation
LAS President of the United States
and president of the American Red
Cross I issued an appeal for $5,000.000.
More than $11 100000 was given. The
Red Cross had the organization capa-
BILE of turning this great overfiowing
of the sympathy of the Nation to the
best account In addition to its own
contribution, the Red Cross bore the
burden and expense of administration.
1t insured maximum Of relief at the
minimum of outlay. The gratitude of
a great Nation, disclosed in manifold
forms, more than repaid the splendid
response of our people directed
through this organization. Philoso-
piers and historians may record this
as marking a new era in the relation
ship between nations.
Our action in aiding the fine cour-
age of the Japanese people to assert
itself and start anew was remini scent
of the magnitude of Red Cross opera
tions during the war. i hope that the
Red Cross always will be equipped to
respond to such appeals from other
lands.
1T is hard to avoid the temptation
to speculation on the possible serv-
ices of our humane and charitable
agencies. il they did not bear any of
In truly civilized world. where the
costs of armament, of pensions. of
fortifications. were not required to be
borne; where neither the spiritual
nor the physical suffering which war
involves were inflicted; where re-
sources could be used to promote, not
to destroy. happiness-in such a world
plished under the leadership of the
Red Cross spirit! Poverty, ignorance,
prejudice and all uncharitableness
might be completely relieved and
remedied.
Would End Need.
"A very great part of the need for
such organizations as the Red Cross
would be ended before the world
could realize it.
TT is toward such an ideal that the
race is now yearning and striving.
1t is making progress. The thought
of ridding society of the very institu-
ton of war has seized powerfully on
the minds of men. We shall not get
it done by some magic formula in
some inspired moment. But 1t is go
ing to be done because men and
women more and more demand it.
We are making more progress in this
direction than we yet fully realize.
But meantime the prcatical works
for relief and succor must go on in
the old ways. To these the Red Cross
is devoted. Its work expands from
year to year. Without the waste of
war. 1t is yet able constantly to broad
en- it's usefulness.
"Of the willingness of the American
people to stand behind their Red Cross
there can be no longer any doubt. The
spirit of sacrifice can never be de-
mobilized. l can think of no other
single medium better able to translate
into results our deep regard for the
interests Of humanity 1t is with gen.
uine satisfaction, therefore that 1 well
come you here to this convention and
act as your presiding officer
From it's inception the Red Cross
has made history in the fulfillment of
humanitarian ideals. Our country is
proud of it's record. Its realization is
one of the ideals Of our forefathers.
1t represents the truly American way
of organized efficiency, practical hu-
manity and inspired charity. 1t is a
strong support of the Government, a
reliable guarantee of the continuing
progress of civilization. 1t shows the
way to more complete realization of
truth and justice through mercy"