Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1920 — AMERICANS’ ABROAD IN RED CROSS WORK [ARTICLE]

AMERICANS’ ABROAD IN RED CROSS WORK

United States Citizens Far Away Enthusiastic Members of the Division. Among the most enthusiastic and energetic members of the American Red Cross are those citizens of the United States who live outside the continental boundaries of their country —sons and daughters of the Stars and Stripes residing at the far corners of the earth. These people compose the Insular and Foreign Division of the parent organization, generally known as the “Fourteenth” Division, which has jurisdiction of all territory outside the country proper; that is, Alaska, Porto Rico, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, the Philippines, Guam, and even the island of Yap, which came under our flag as a result of the world war. For the year 1920 this division reported 80,808 paid up members. The main object of this division Is to give our citizens everywhere the opportunity to participate In the work of the organization which stands for the best national ideals. Americans In far places Intensely loyal and patriotic, treasure their membership in the Red Cross as the outward expression of their citizenship. It is another tie to the homeland and to each other. There are chapters of this division in Argentine, Bolivia, Brazil, Canal zone, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Japan, Manchuria, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Porto Rico, Siberia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela and Virgin Islands. During the war these scattered members of the Red Cross contributed millions In money, and millions of dollars’ worth of necessary articles for the men in service, and sent many doctors and nurses to France. At the same time they carried on an excellent Home Service in their respective communities for the families of those who had gone to war, and In some regions gave large sums of money and immeasurable personal service to the relief of disaster and disease victims. The division Is now establishing service clubs in foreign porta for the benefit of sailors In the American Merchant Marine, making plans to aid Americans In trouble in foreign lands and completing arrangements for giving immediate adequate relief in case of disaster. It is the Fourteenth Division’s part in the great Peace Time program of the American Red Cross.