Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-28
In Mercy's Name

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portant, but the drive which is to
begin tomorrow has a significance
winch SurpaSSeS the generality of
such efforts very much as the pres
ent war exceeds all emergencies Of
an ordinary sort. 1t will be so closely
related to the endeav0r for victory
as to Justify the same variety of
seltlessness and sacrifice The Wash
ington objective is 1855 400. sum
approximately three times that of
the last similar solicitation. Men,
women and children in the Metro
politan Area are asked to give gen.
erously and Immediately not merely
their cash subscriptions. but their
spiritual zeal, to the end that suffer-
ing and distress may be alleviated in
the world.
Those individuals who are taking
active part in the campaign are
known as Interpreters" Of the mean
ing of the Red Cross in the prevailing
crisis, They will explain to their
nelghbors and friends the fact that
the war fund must be raised by VOL
untary offerings from large numbers
Of people giving according to their
financial ability. 1t is designed to
meet an existing local, national and
International need. The Government
does not support the work with
money, but it does approve and rely
upon the cooperation of the uni
versal Red Cross organization as an
agency of mercy whose historic func-
ton is recognized by all neutrals as
well as by all belligerent countries.
A moments thought about the prob
lem will suffice to convince any
average person that it is well to keep
the Red Cross independent OF po-
litical combinations. 1t likewise is
imperative that it always should be
democratically maintained. The
larger the membership, the greater
the integrity and the power of the
Red Cross symbol
Certainly, the appeal of the war
fund requires no argument when
addressed to the families of men in
the national service. The parents,
brothers, sisters, wives and children
of American soldiers, sailors and
marines are abundantly familiar with
its efficiency as the official medium
of communication between the peo-
pie of the United States and their
Army and Navy" Wherever troops
bearing the Stars and Stripes are
located, there is a Red Cross field
director and staff. Meanwhile, back
home the domestic front is strength
ened by Red Cross workers aiding
the sick and wounded. providing
blood plasma, helping veterans and
their dependents, teaching nurses
assistants, developing classes in nu-
triton, home nursing and first aid
and conducting many allied activi-
ties.
1t must be remembered in this
connection that the ordinary, routine
trials and troubles of the human race
do not cease in wartime. On the
contrary. they are accelerated in
their number and their influence If
earthquakes, fires, floods and cpl
denies were added to the global
catastrophe of the present struggle
with the AXIS. the picture would be
an accurate representation Of the
current problem.
The issue requires no detailed eX-
position to those who already are
enrolled in the Red Cross and will
welcome a further invitation to con-
tribute, Only TO those citizens who
have not yet been enlisted will it
be necessary to explain what the Red
Cross signifies To illustrate its
value, the famous speech which
Shakespeare wrote for Portia in The
Merchant Of Venice" may be cited
that beautiful declaration in which
the poet recalls that we do pray for
mercy and that same prayer doth
teach US all to render the deeds Of
rlcycy." Each resident of Metro
rO'itan Washington to whom those
words are ncaninglul is summoned
to the Red Cross n its hour Of most