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Show MEMBERSHIP OF ' THE RED CROSS - -- i Henry P. Davison, the chairman of the war council of the Red Cross sent out today a message to the nearly four 1 thousand chapters and millions of members of the Red Cross all over the country, outlining the future policy of : the Red Cross. In substance he said that it is confidently con-fidently believed thero need be no further fur-ther campaign for Red Cross funds, but instead the annual Roll Call which takes place this year commencing with December 16th, will be the foundation foun-dation of the Red Cross. Therefore the people should be informed as definitely def-initely as possible the plans for the future conduct of the great humanitarian humani-tarian society which they arc asked to Join. Since tho armistice was signed, Mr. ' Davison has conferred with the heads of all Red Cross commissions, both in Europe and America, and it is now definitely assured that tho work is to go forward on a great scale, as an; agency of peace ami permanent human 1 service. During the war the primary purpose was to aid our own soldiers first, then the soldiers of our Allies, and tho civilian populations of Europe. Eu-rope. "The Red Cross will stay with i our soldiers until they are demobilized! leaving nothting undone that can be done, for the men overseas, for those I returning, for those in camps and hos-! pitals and for thoir families at home. The problems of reconstruction, involving in-volving feeding and caring for the distressed dis-tressed civilian populations of Europe, are of such magnitude that they must be met largely by the governments of our Allies, with whom our government will cooperate. The government will assume the great tasks of fighting tuberculosis and other relief work, assisted as-sisted by the Red Cross and other relief re-lief societies. TJius the work of the Red Cross will rapidly merge into a I peace program the American Redl Cross, acting in co-operation with the I National Red Cross and relief societies of other nations, will have its opportunity oppor-tunity to demonstrate that the heart of America and the heart of all mankind man-kind may be mobilized on behalf of suffering humanity. Thus the plans of the American Ked Cross will be formulated specifically at a later date, to conform with the general relief program of tho Allied governments. With the Idea in mind of being ready for tho great work before be-fore it, the Red Cross is planning to develop its permanent organization in this country upon a scale never before contemplated In time of peace. Many of the men and women of great business ability who came into tho Red Cross organization at the outset out-set of the war have expressed thoir desire to become a part of the permanent per-manent peace organization and therefore there-fore it is assured that the peace activities activ-ities will be conducted under able and Inspiring leadership. Tho chapters will maintain their organizations upon a scale adequate to the new demands to be mado upon them and the divisional di-visional organizations will bo maintained main-tained ready for service; National Headquarters will have a largo and officient personnel to direct activities. activi-ties. Study Is being made by the National organization not alone to problems of international relief, but to plans in this country for enlarged Home Ser- ivice, the promotion of public health. ' education, development of nursing, the care and prevention of accidents, and other correlated lines, which may contribute con-tribute to the health and happiness of men, women and children. Such plans will provide both for world relief and for home community service, and thus constitute a channel for the continued and useful expression by Red Cross workers and members of those qualities quali-ties of sympathy and love which our whole people have poured out so unstintedly un-stintedly during this war. For the completion of its war work and for the Institution of Its peace program, the Red Cross is fortunately In healthy financial condition; yet abundant occasion for the use of large funds of money and great quantities of garments and other supplies will continue to arise, but it is believed that there will be no further need for Intensive campaigns for 'funds. The work of supplementing governmental activities, which the Red Cross will be called upon to do In all parts of the world, will be upon a great scale, but it will call for human service rather than for large expenditures. What the Red Cross needs now Is not so much contributions of money, as the continued devotion and loyalty of its members. Annual membership involves the payment of only one dollar. dol-lar. The moneys thus received not only defray all the administrative expenses, ex-penses, but leave a- substantial balance, bal-ance, which, together with all funds subscribed directly for relief, are devoted de-voted solely to that purpose. The Roll Call of the nation Is thus to be called at Christmas time, that through enrollment in thoir Red Cross the American people may send a message mes-sage to our soldiers still overseas and to the peoples of tho world, that we are not merely content with seeing our arms united with our Allies in victory vic-tory but that our abiding purpose si tha't the love, the sympathy and the intelligence of all America shall bo re-dedlcated to the permanent service of mankind. nn |
