The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-12-18
Red Cross to the Rescue.
The Order Will Help the
Christians in Armenia.

| Ing Omclal announcement was UaQe
from the national headquarters at the
Red Cross to-day
Owing to the unanimous and urgent
appeals from the friends of humanity,
representing nearly all Of the people of
this country. the American National
Red Gross has decided that it must &C.
cept the sacred trust of endeavoriog to
relieve the starving Armenians in Asia
Minor. According to conservative es-
Inmates there are 350,0C0 utterly des-
titute people in that country. who will
have to be assisted six or eight months
until next harvest.
Fully realizing the difficulties and
dangers to be met, the Red Cross will
start for Turkey as soon as sufficient
funds are placed at its disposal, or guar
an'eed to insure success.
Funds may be sent to Miss Clara
Barton. president and treasurer of the
American Red Cross. Washington, D.
G.
Authorized agents to receive funds
aud materials will be published 10 few
days. The Red Cross also suggests
tha, goods, grain and other material
may be sent by chartered steamer.
American National Red Cross,
Clara Barton, President.
IN RESPONSE TO APPEALS.
Washington, Dec 13'-The 6ual de-
termination Of the American National
Red Cross to 60 to the rell2f of the Ar
meoiaos though not wholly unexpected
in view of the numerous appeals for
such action Itch have come to them
frou, every direction in the past few
weeks, was not definitely reached until
to-day when i: became apparent that if
effectual aid was to be rendered it must
be commenced at once and no other
benevolent organization 10 the world
was in a position TO successfully under
take it. The action of the society is
regarded by its executive committee as
the N lost important any organization has
ever undertaken. Never before have
so many difficulties been presented or
such extensive measures been necessary.
For the first tine the field of the fa-
nous Red Cross will be transferred TO a
foreign country far from its main base
Of supplies and abouoding With dangers
The organization will be hampered by
an utter lack Of facilities for transport
ing food, clothing and other supplies ;
By unfamiiarity with the language and
5v general state of lawlessDess that is
known to exist 10 that part of Turkey.
Notwithstanding these conditions,
Clara Barton, 10 spite Of more than 50
years service 10 benevolent work, has
determined to 60 IN person into Ar
menia and coptrol tie disbursement OF
the fuuds subscribed for Red Cross re-
lief
The Red Cross in the past few weeks,
ever since the pressare for it to under.
take the responsibility became TOO
strong 70 resist. has been shoroug $
considering the character os the york
required and its estimate that $50, 600
people are absolutely destitute and
starving lis declared to be thoroughly
conservative. While It cannot be de-
teruiDed until the field is reached how
much money will carry these people
over to the next harvest. Missionaries
who are familiar with the country and
people ,bink S5,000,000 fair figure.
Of course oil of this will Dot be needed
at once, and the Red Cross officials in
Washington are confident that what
ever is needed with be forthcoming
They arc 10 close touch With benevol-
emily inclined people throughout the
world and the appeals that have reached
them leave 20 doubt that the people
generally will evidence their most per-
soDal sympathy with the movement
Miss Barton apd her staff will be
ready to leave for Turkey next week if
success be assured through responses
to the announcement made to-day. 1t
will take her two weeks to reach Con-
stantinope and two weeks longer to
initiate the actual work Of relief in Ar
meuia. In the meantime at least a
mouth of suffering aud distress is iue-
vitable. She regards every moment
lost as wasted, and is DOW engaged in
perfectiog every possible detail of
work that can be done in advance for
announcement to the public in few
days.