New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-18
REAL HUMANITARIANISM.
MRS. J. ELLEN FOSTER TELLS WHAT RED
CROSS WORK HAS BEEN AND IS.

1.-THE WAR HAS PROVED AMERICAN SHOP
KEEPERS TO RE WARRIORS PATRIOTS
AND TRUE PHILANTHRoPIsTs"
Mrs J. Ellen Foster. vice chairman OF the Red
Cross Committee for the District Of Columbia,
said IN talking 10 a Tribune reporter. yesterday:
.-rhe Red Cross. which undertakes to carry tho
nn,n,s.rations OF peace 70 the bloody fields or
war; IS, OF course. greatly rejoced az the declara-
ton Of peace and the cessation OF actual hostl-
tiles The work however Is but Just commenced
and II Will continue its services TO the men In camp
and hospital until they furloughed or mustered
out which will not be for many weeks. possibly
months
I'VE are greatly retoced a the confidence shown
IN the Red Cross by the people Of the country
Az no time have we been unable through lack OF
funds 10 DO what We desired in answer to the
demands Of the suffering. II has been sometimes
touching in the extreme when we have asked sur
reons and other officers OF the Government what
we could do TO aid them. TO see them Loyalty
hesitate 10 make known their needs lest an adms-
sion that they lacked anything should seem re-
Election on the willingness and power OF the Gov
eminent 20 supply every need Of the enlisted men.
sick or we'll The lack Of medicines and supplies
has been the result not Of inability or unwilling
ness but OF the conditions which war brings For
instance the Medical Department OF the Govern
nent REQUIRES that all supplies either regular or
emergency shall be secured through acquisitions
that must come in proper form and through Official
routine This necessarily takes time-meanwhile.
the men may suffer The Red Cross agent. trusted
by the society and free from the routine neces-
sary in Government service. Is able at once 10
supply the demand
Yesterday morning was Informed through one
Of our visitors that there two men desperate
" III with typhoid fever In an adjacent hospital.
The surgeon In charge suggested that stimulant.
not included IN Government medical stores. might
possibly DO what regular drugs had failed in ac-
complishing The stmulant expensive. and
could not with propriety. be included In general
medical supplies for the Army. but was just what
the Red Cross coul1 furnish and desired 10 fur
nish: therefore, secured the needed quantity. and
went myself put II in the hands OF the surgeon.
so that there should be no delay. The physician.
eminent as specialist IN typhoid cases. received
Il with eager thankfulness. and hopes with II and
the regular hospital service 10 pull tho men
through This rs but illustration OF how the
Red Cross gets its work in at once, without tho
delay doubtless necessary but sometimes fatal.
that is encountered through Government routine
Even the most generous contributors TO the Red
Cross would be astonished at the scope and num-
Der Of supplies furnished and services rendered.
which has special care of eight hospitals and
ssmgs has reeve. sd thTGuSh h 9f
the relief associations oil New-lork. Philadelphia
Including ambuiances with teams and drivers
Army wagons. tents; clothing. food stuffs, dccn-
lows. slippers ana an almost endless variety OF
possible convenience for human need.
Our field agent at Camp Alger, Captain Lewis,
since the removal OF that camp. has followed tho
soldiers TO Manassas Junction and Thoronghfare
al Bristow. which is now included within Red
Cross work. He gives unbounded praise to the
Army surgeons ard officers III their care for the
men. and says the already show an improve
nent in health and snirits on account OF the re-
moval from Camp Ager. Captain Lewis VIII
continue his work with the men there. and Will
probably accompany the regiments which 20 10
MiG0letown. Penn. IN the line OF Red Cross work
Not knowing how permanent these camps VIII he.
only know that he viii follow wherever they
90. having won for himself and for Red Cross
work hearty approval Of the officers.
When Mrs Foster asked II She would ex
press herself IN relation 70 the controversies SEEM
ingy waged between the Red Cross and other so
ceiies. she said:
Il haven't had time 20 read much. and know
little about these controversies What do know
IS that the Government has done its part in
nffordng Miss Barton and those who labor with
her every facility for the conduct OF their work.
The President OF the United States. the Secretary
o! War and the Secretary OF the Navy have
shown b. their official action and personal APP
proval their estimate OF tho value or the work.
The great heart OF the American people has
poured ont its treasures OF money and supplies.
work and agents and tho providence Of God has
guided the work. II mas accomplished what It
claims TO do. What more coud We ask?
This Nation has astonshed The world with the
power OF It's Army and Navy and with the ad-
rnistrative and executive force OF It's Govern
nlent. The world knows now that American shop
keepers also warriors and patriots. and that
they are capable OF practising n huma nita rianism
boundess as the prairies and deep as the sea-