The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-30

gladly accepted the services of trained fe-
male nurses for the division held nos
pitfalls. In our general hospitals we nave
employed them from the first. The gen
eral testimony from the surgeons IN
charge of these hospitals has been mat
their services have been of great value
Very many of these trained nurses have
been obtained through the kind assist
ance of the Red Cross Society Tor MAIN
tenance of Trained Nurses, Auxiliary NO
3, and desire to express my hlgh appce,
citation of the valuable services rendered
the medical department of the army by
this organization.
My attitude toward relief organizations
is shown by an Endorsement, dated May O.
upon a letter addressed by Rev. Henry 9.
McCook of Philadelphia to the President
and referred to me for remark:
May 5, 1S9S-Respectfully returned to
plan proposed for the organization of a
relief association appears to be well con-
sidered, and the object in view will com
mend itself to every patriotic citizen. But
1t is a question whether the President
should give special privileges to any par
ticular organization. Other prominent in
may be organized for the same purpose.
One such proposition has come from Chi
cago. While | approve in a general way
of organization for the relief work pro-
posed, it appears to me that 1t will be
best not to give any one oTgaaizatlo9n ex-
elusive privileges; In case ss of need, as
ganization prepared to give 1t.
Ths has 6een 9bbg pT naedpd
should be promptly accepted without ref
erence to the source from which it comes.
The relief afforded by the National Red
Cross at Siboney was promptly accepted
by the surgeons on the spot but it is evil
dent that it was entirely inadequate to
meet the emergency.
Red Cross Association called upon me in
my Office in Washington some time in
advance of the landing of our troops in
Santiago, making an offer of assistance.
/ received them most cOiIrtPOnGiV and
advised them to use their resources in
fitting up a hospital ship, telling them
up for the use Of the medical depart
ment, but that 1t was not at all fmprob-
able that an emergency would arise which
would overtax our, resources, and that in
such an event a hospital ship, properly
equipped, having on board a corps of
doctors and nurses, would be a valuable
auxiliary
Furthermore, the American National
Red Cross Association has had full au-
thorfty to send agents and supplies to all
our camps since June 8, 1898, and if there
supplies, they must assume the respon-
sibility with the medical department of
the army for such suffering.
The following letter sent by me to
every chief surgeon of a department or
independent army In the field on June
9. ISIS. l$S8: s. w. ~ ,,-u,,o -
the following proposition made by the
American National Red Cross AsSocia-
ton, and the chief surgeons of army
corps and divisions will cooperate with
the authorized agents of this association
for the purposes Indicated:
1--WE can put any desired amount of
hospital supplies-ice,. matted milk, con-
densed milk-into any of the volunteer
camps in a few hours. VIII you be kind
enough to bring this letter to the atten-
ton of Secretary Alger and ask him If
there is any objection to our appointing
q Red Cross representative to report to
the commanding officer and the chief sur
geons in every camp, confer with them as
to their immediate needs, and, if anything
of any kind is wanted, open a Red Cross
station and send in the supplies. We can
do this, not in few weeks or a few days,
but in a few hours, and can furnish any
quantity of any desired luxury or delicacy
for hospital use. We hereby tender our
aid and put our organization at the War
Departments service for cooperation in
this field
To show my cordial relations with the
National Red Cross Relief Committee.
venture to quote from letter of August
IL, received by me from Mr.. Cleveland III.
Dodge chairman of. the supply commit
tee Mr.. Dodge says:
81 want again to assure you personally,
on behalf of our committee, of our earnest
desire to assist you in every possible way
and to thank you for calling upon us so
In recent letter from Mrs. Winthrop
Cowdin, vice-president of the Red Cross