The evening times., 1899-03-24
PROGRESS OF RED CROSS
OPERATIONS IN CUBA
Cable Message From the Rev.
Alexander Kent.
Nurses and Hospital Supplies to Be
Sent 10 Havana.
Plans to Combat Yellow Fever Dur
ing the Coming Summer.
Homes for Children.

A cablegram was received yesterday al
the National Red Cross headquarters from
the Rev. Alexander Kent who recently
| went from this city to Cuba at the head
of the Red Cross expedition for the pur-
pose of establishing hospital in the west
ern part of Cuba where there is now a
great deal of suffering The cablegram
states that the work has progressed rapid
ly, and that large building has been Sc
| cured in Havana for hospital service.
There are now $50 beds ready for those
persons requiring treatment.
The officials of the society in this city
ber of nurses and supplies. 1t is under
stood that five nurses will be sent in tao
or three days. Three consignments of hos
pital supplies have already been Sent.
The present hospital. it is thought, will
accommodate only small portion of those
who are in need of treatment and as fast
as possible the facilities for caring for
the sick will be increased.
Provision has been made by the Govern
ment and some societies for the relief of
the Cubans OF the eastern section of the
island in the vicinity of Santiago and this
territory has been pretty thoroughly COW
cred and the suffering in large measure,
reduced. The territory in which the Red
Cross is now engaged was the last TO be
evacuated by the Spanish forces and as a
result there has not been time TO organize
and carry out work for the relief of the
natives in that section. The Red Cross So
ciety has undertaken to give relief in the
western part of the island at the request
of the natives, General Brooke, and the
Government officials. The operations of
the Red Cross expedition are confined to
giving medical attendance and relief to
those outside of the army
The Red Cross Societies all over the
country are taking great. interest in the
work of relieving the Cubans and are aid
ing very materially with money, hospital
paraphernalia and supplies. The Red Cross
OF the State of Louisiana has consented TO
act in conjunction with the national society
in the work of maintaining the hospital
service. 1t will receive supplies at New
Orleans from the States bordering on the
Mississippi and will forward them as fast
as received 10 Cuba. The sanitary commits
sion OF Indianapolis. which was organized
last spring for the purpose of raising funds
and supplies for the relief of the soldiers
OF the American Army in Cuba has offered
| to donate a carload of hospital supplies
contributed by the citizens of that city
| The National Red Cross Society has ac-
cepted the offer and the goods will be Sent
| TO New Orleans for immediate shipment.
Ii has been definitely decided TO erect a
| large permanent home for Cuban children
| in the suburbs of Havana, under the aus
pices of the American Red Cross Society
AT present there are no American schools
| or homes for the care of the native children
| on the island. and the Red Cross is The
| first to attempt TO fill this need. The prop
| osition has been made since the evacuation
| OF the Spanish forces 10 bring the native
| children TO this country for education, but
| this suggestion is considered impractical
| and the Red Cross officials have thought il
| best to sanction the establishment of a
/ school on the ground where il is thought
| 1t will do most good. In this way it will
| be possible to reach a larger number OF
| children than would be possible if they
| were brought TO the United States. Ac-
| cording to the plans in contemplation, the
| school when completed win accommodate
several thousand. 1t is the intention te
use the buildings first as hospitals, and a:
| the need of such service diminishes pro.
| vision will be made for teaching and car
| ing for the children. Work on the build
ings viii probably begin within thirty days
| The Government is now able to TAX,
| care OF the soldiers. During the past few
months great improvement has beer
made in the Government hospital service
| in the vicinity of Havana. Work is nov
in progress on several large buildings fol
hospital purposes and when completed will
be as perfect in point of equipment ant
service as any in the world. The yellow
fever season has not begun. but ii i:
thought that in a few months It will bt
raging with as much violence as last sum
mer and 1t Is with the view of meeting tn,
plague halfway that the improvements ar,
being made With an efficient hospita
| service the danger of an epidemic of vel
low fever among the troops will be yer!
materially lessened.