| Show preparedness M a MERICAN AMERICAN RED CROSS TO 0 THOUSANDS of americans Tse seeking eking news of their families and friends in war torn countries 25 words on an official red cross form have meant all the difference between hope and despair ever since the outbreak ot of the war the american red cross has been for many people the only medium through which they could get news of their relatives in poland holland belgium and the other occupied nations even when the news has been bad even when it has been the worst possible it has at least meant merciful release from torturing anxiety and uncertainty for a while it was possible in a few cases to maintain contact by letter over long roundabout routes since americas entry into the war all remaining avenues of communication Inu muni cation have been closed today under the rules ot of the united states office of censorship personal messages to residents of enemy or enemy occupied territory may be lor jor warded ONLY through the red bed cross inquiry service here and the international reil red cross committee in geneva switzerland regulations governing the sending of one of these messages from the united states are that the communication muni nuni cation which should be filled in in at a local red cross chapter must not be more than 25 words and should be in engli english sh if it is written in a foreign language an english translation must be attached the united stites states office of censorship rules that no mention may be made of politics or military subjects defense materials shipping or weather conditions business matters or geographic names but even the strict regulations cannot rob the brief message on the international red cross form i of its human warmth and drama the tha original message made out in some local red cross chapter here goes on its long and slow journey across ocean and continents space is provided on it for a reply message to be returned to the original sender prepared exclusively lor for |
