Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1919 — Tribute to the American Red Cross Is World-Wide and Heartfelt [ARTICLE]

Tribute to the American Red Cross Is World-Wide and Heartfelt

ENDORSEMENTS BY THE GREAT

General Pershing—To the millions of women whose hearts and hands are consecrated to the service, to the millions of the men, rich and poor alike, throughout the country who have contributed and sacrificed, and even to the millions of children of our schools who are doing their part, it should be made clear that the relief and comfort contributed by them through the American Red Cross to the men in service is essential. General Petain—l have just received the letter in which you announce that the commission of the American Red Cross has voted a new credit of 10,000,000 francs in favor of the most needy families of French officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers. I know that in addressing the American Red Cross I speak in iVality to the people of the United States. My thanks, therefore, go to your people and I am happy thus to have the occasiop to transmit to them the evidence of the grateful affection of our army. The French troops.will remain under arms probably for a long time, but thanks to your intervention many of the cares will be dissipated and many of ths misfortunes will be lightened. Surgeon General Ireland, U. S. A,—The American Red Cross has performed a three-fold function in the great war. Jt has been the invaluable ally of the medical department in assisting it to care for the sick and wounded. It has been the great-agency of rescue and support to the unfortunate refugees who were driven from their homes. Finally it has, by its canteen service at the railroad stations and its searchers for the wounded, been the cheering, heartening and helpful agency for our travelworn men. Of all these functions and services none can now be given up or abandoned. The medical department will need the help of the Red Cross until the last wounded man is safely returned to his home., The men in their billets and camps during the cold, cheerless French winter will need the comradeship and wholesome good fellofrs'hipf of the Red Cross women. The searchers will be the agents of communication between the wounded and their families at home. The refugees, too, must not be left helpless until thb elements bf the family have been united. Now, therefore, it. is time.for a closer and more active functioning and a larger and more zealous membership for the American Red Cross. Admiral Siins, ? U. S. N.—l have often heard people say, “Why is it necessary to care for sick and wounded soldiers and sailors through an organization like the American Red Cross? Why does not the government dp the work? The fact is the government is not capable us doing it the way the Red Cipss does. When an emergency turns up we sometimes have not the facilities, sometimes not the legal authority to do all we ought to do. The emblem of the Red Cross is two small piffiSs of red tape laid neatly across each other. But so far as 1 know this is the only bit of red tape they’ve got. They can do things unhampered by rules or regulations. "When our men are sick or woundedjmd we,need quick action, unhampered and free, that’s where the Red Cross comes to the front. Secretary of War Baker—Prior to the signing of the armistice the work of the American Red Cross was confined within home and neutral areas or within areas under entente control. Now its scope is obviously enlarged to embrace virtually the entire Continent of Europe, together with great portions of Asia. The task which confronts this great service of mercy is thus vastly increased. I am sure that all Americans will wish to put their bapda to the work of healing and reconstruction an<) of the channels open none is worthier of support than thia. - *