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I am so very happy to see [[strikethrough]]so many of [[/strikethrough]] you here tonight. Your response to our appeal on behalf of China is deeply and humbly appreciated. In the face of great crises such as this, we are reminded [[strikethrough]]learn[[/strikethrough]] again and again, how warm the heart of humanity really is. And may I say a special word on behalf of these fine people who have so generously donated their time and talents to make this evening a success. Their assistance has been invaluable.
I do not wish to harrow your feelings by dwelling on the horrors of this undeclared war that is now devasting my country. Nor to paint a picture of the tragedy and desolation in its wake. Daily in the press - over the radio - your eyes and ears are assailed by these  [[strikethrough]]somber[[/strikethrough]] distressing facts.
I simply want to say that the greatest danger facing China today is not from the invader. China will never be conquered by an invader. No physical force brought against her can ever break down her magnificent courage or her resistance to injustice. But she is poorly prepared to meet her greatest and most insiduous enemy - disease; and enemy that strikes combatants and non-combatants alike. She will resist to the last the barbarian that hammers at her portals. But how much longer she can carry on with no bandages for the wounded, no opiates for the suffering, no antiseptics to combat the ravages of infection and gangrene, no one can say. Reliable reports tell us so great is the need that doctors and nurses are forced to resort to the use of filling in cotton mattresses and to unsterilized waste to staunch the flow of blood and bind up the wounded.
And that is the purpose of this gathering tonight - to answer this call for medical supplies to China - a call that knows no bounds [[strikethrough]]bouds[[/strikethrough]] of creed or nationality. A need as old as the race itself, and as fundamental as that of food and shelter. And I want you to know also that every cent collected here will go toward the purchase of medical and surgical supplies for China - there is no overhead. The enormous task of handling these supplies for the Pacific Coast region(?) is being undertaken by a great and good woman, Dr. Margaret Chung of San Francisco, who is wholeheartedly devoting her time, her energies and her resources to this vital work. Dr. Chung says that fifteen cents worth of serum may save a human life - truly[[?]] - your effort has not been in vain.