Evening star., 1940-05-07
War May Force
Red CrossCaI|,
Fieser Warns
Urges Stronger
Humanitarian
Preparedness
picture on Page A-3.)

Warning that the world "is aflame
about U.S." James l.. Fieser, vice
chairman in charge of domestic
operations of the American Red
Cross, today sounded q call for
stronger humanitarian prepared
ness" because "at moments
notice We may find 1t necessary to
appeal for war relief funds"
Challenge of war should stir the
Red Cross, he told its annual con-
vention at Memorial Continental
Hall to plan for even greater men,
bership gains.
The convention was pronounced
by officials today to be the largest
In the history of the organization
Registration shortly before noon
had climbed to more than $500.
I'VE know that planes are bigger
and faster" he said, that mechan-
ized armies move faster and do more
damage, that modern explosives can
quickly level what it has taken cen
turies to build, that wars have be-
come total in the sense even that
civilians may be punished more
grievously than the personnel Of
armies or navies.
1--WE know, too, about the terror Of
mass transplanting of minority
groups from homes and environ
ments which have been theirs for
centuries to places where they
are unwelcome foreigners and
strangers"
Gypsy" Problem Cited.
Pointing to the problem of the
"American gypsy" and disclosures
in THE Grapes of WRATH" Mr..
Fieser said "We can sense the de-
featism, terror of soul and mental
paralysis of human beings whose
love for their own Is as strong as
ours"
Referring to war, he declared
1--WE cannot dismiss these man.
made cataclysms by saying they
are too big to bother about, that
they are none of our business
AS in case of big disasters, we may
At moments notice find 1t neces-
sary to appeal for war relief funds.
If 50, we are ready" He said the
Red Cross was aware of need for
expanding its work here for the
Army and Navy.
The District of Columbia chapter
was listed in first place of honor
among chapters who had made out
standing records in membership.
The District of Columbia chapter,
he said, had enrolled 10000 men,
bers, or % per cent of its population.
Next came youngstown, Ohio, with
IA per cent of its population, Cleve-
land with II per cent.
Pointing ott that the American
Red Cross had increased its men,
bership to more than 100000, q
gain of more than 100000 in five
years, he said the gain this year
alone was 100000 members.
Davis Outlines Activities
Activities of the League of Red
Cross Societies. in serving the people
In war-torn Europe, were outlined
last night by Malcolm Davis, as
sociate secretary general of the
league, which has headquarters in
Geneva.
Everywhere one goes" he said,
"there is evidence of the power that
the Red Cross symbol holds,
through recognition of the spirit for
which 1t stands. At frontiers, in
government Offices, and with the
rank and file of people, it signifies
q service of necessity which must
be admitted-because the place of
the Red Cross is not away from the
. places of struggle and trouble, but
there where stress and suffering
are.
'As the war spreads and con-
tinues," he said, land it is evident
that it is likely to go on for an
indefinitely long time,-the mission
Of the Red Cross becomes more and
more imperatively urgent Be-
yond the struggle, whenever it ends,
there is prospect of grim period
of reconstruction"
To Enroll Technicians.
DR.. William De Kleine, medical ad-
wiser of the American Red Cross, an
nounced at the morning session to-
day that at the request of the Arny's
surgeon general, the Red Cross has
undertaken to enroll several groups
of hospital and medical technicians
for possible service with the military
forces.
"It has no immediate war implica-
tion," DR.. De Kleine stressed, "but
Is necessary step in developing gen.
eral preparedness measures for the
nation"
He said The Red Cross was acting
In accordance with its traditional
policy of corporation with the Army
and Navy.
With about $500 delegates here for
the convention. the program today
included several sessions, in var
ious places throughout the down.
town area. The annual banquet to-
night at the. Mayfiower Hotel will
hear an address by Justice Stanley
Reed, of the United States Supreme
Court: and by Norman Sommerville,
chairman of the Central council,
Canadian Red Cross Society. The
convention will close with business
session tomorrow morning In Mem
orial Continental Hall, and lunch
cons for officials at the Willard
Hotel, and the National Press Club
Auditorium.
Membership Discussed.
At the general session this morn
ing the subject of membership and
support of the Red Cross service
was discussed by Mr.. Fieser, and
Mrs. A. A. Salmon, of Spokane,
wash: Ernest H. Pett, of Madison,
wis; and Raymond w. Houston,
of Nassau County. New York.
other sessions elsewhere today
included: Junior Red Cross, Depart
n1ent Of Interior and Mayflower
Hotel: Braille Corps round table,
willard Hotel; First Aid, Water
safety, Home and Farm Accident
Prevention, Chamber OF Commerce