ORPHANS’ CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 16467, 4 July 1917, Page 6

ORPHANS’ CLUB

There was a large attendance of members and visitors at the fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Orphans’ Club held last evening. This took the form of an “American Night,” and. honor was done to Britain’s latest ally in music, song, and story. . Bro. A. Sligo was in the chair, and amongst tho visitors was Mr P. O. Bridgoman, ViceConsul in Dunedin for tho United States. Bro. D. Cooke proposed the toast of “ Our Now Aliy, America.” There were people, he said, - who accused tho United States of acting in a selfish manner; of supplying the Allies with munitions so long as there was-market available, then, and not till then, coming into the war. This view was a wrong one to take of the motives of our new ally. She had, perhaps, been a bit slow, but there was no question as to what the result would bo now sho was in.

Mr F. O. Bridgoman, in responding to tho toast, said ho thought President Wilson knew what he was about when he was sending his Notes to Germany, and perhaps he had helped the cause of humanity by standing out, and being in a position'to help the Allies with money and munitions, although doubtless the Americans had’ made some dollars out of it. However, America had decided to come into the straggle for right. President Wilson had made a very fine speech on April 2, and was very different in tone from tho Notes he had_ been sending. “ I guess,” said Mr Bridgeman, “ America, now she is in, will bo pretty slick with men, ships, and money in saving tho world from Prussian militarism and tho brutalities of tho Bodies.” Tho bond, continued the s pen Ivor was tho relationship of blood. Tho largo-majority of the American people had strong British blood in their veins. Then tho language of the States was British, although some people. thought the Americans were mutilating it. But that was not so. The Americans were_ a progressive nation, and they were just trying to improve upon the language. He mentioned that 25,000 Americans had been serving with the Allies before America had joined in, and referred to tho Red Cross work she had done, and the raising of loans for the benefit of the Allies. Those who contributed to the evening’s entertainment wore: Bros. T. W. Dobbio, P. Young. A. Sligo, B. Wardrop (songs), H. Russell and Henderson (recitations), Banehop and Reid (duet), J. Wren and Captain Stevens (stories). ’The club orchestra and club quartet party also lent assistance.