100 years ago in Spokane: Local Greeks for American Red Cross

About 70 Greeks, “representing practically the entire colony in Spokane,” showed their patriotic spirit by donating a total of $250 to the American Red Cross.

“In 1897, when the Greeks were fighting the Turks, the American Red Cross sent money and clothes to Greece,” said Tom Lentgis, chairman of the Greek meeting. “Now the time has come when the Greeks who are making their homes under the protection of American laws and earning their living here can show their appreciation.”

From the war beat: Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, a prominent New York minister, delivered a rousing patriotic address to a “vast concourse of citizens” at the Spokane Armory.

“I am not a pacificist, and I am not a pussyfoot,” said Dr. Hillis. “There is no place left in the world for a kaiser or a sultan. Are we going to stand idly by and see the dream of Lincoln shattered, or are we going to fight for the right and see that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish?”

He also issued a dark warning.

“God once let a republic die, and 1,400 years of dark ages intervened,” he said. “What God has allowed once, God may allow to happen again. As Athens was looted by the Macedonians, so the nations of today may be looted by the Germans.”