The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-09

There is possibility OF an early disso-
luton of the National Society of the White
Cross. and at meeting of the board of
directors. to be held shortly, Mrs. Jane
Creighton. the President General will be
| asked 10 render an accounting OF all funds
received by her from the various branches
OF the society since its organization
At the meeting of the board few days
ago, the designations of Mrs. Nelson a.
Miles and Col. Edwin b. Hay were handed
in and accepted Mrs. Miles has held
the office of secretary general since the
inception of the organization.
The history OF the National Society Of
the White Cross dates back about eight
cen months. Mrs. Jane Creighton OF Port
land, Ore, is said. to have been the NOV
ing spirit, and associated with her was
Miss Kate Thomas of New York During
the summer OF 1898 these two ladies'
called upon Mrs. Miles and asked her to
aid in the work. outlining their plans for
sending trained nurses and medical hos
pital and other things of like nature to
the Philippines. to be utilized In the cam
paign there. The organization was to be
modelled after the Red Cross Society, but
its primal work was to be for the relief
of American soldiers. Mrs. Miles was
urged to accept the Office of secretary gen.
eral. and after some persuasion. during
which she insisted that her duties would
not permit her to undertake the work
she accepted, being assured that her name
would be great aid to the work. The
board of directors included Mrs. Miles,
Mrs Hatch, Mrs. Ceighton. Miss Thomas,
Mr.. John W. Ross. and Edwin d. Hay.
Auxiliary branches OF the society we're
formed throughout the country and sub
scriptions poured in for The work. corps
Of nurses was sent TO Manila. where they
remained for a short time and then re-
turned to the United .3tates.
In discussing the matter Mrs Miles said
10 reporter for The Times: ~ was never
actively engaged in the work of the So
'ciety, and Only accepted the Office OF sec
rotary general because Miss Thomas and
Mrs. Creighton were anxious that lend
my name. The motive OF the work appealed
to me, and. being always in sympathy with
such things, allowed my name to be used.
/ have been too much engaged with other
duties TO have given IL my attention and
should not have connected myself with IL
had I not been assured that my duties
would be merely nominal The other day
Miss Thomas came to me and told me that
there was some dissatisfaction among the
members, and that they intended to hold
a meeting for the purpose of requesting
from Mrs. Creighton q rendering Of the
accounts Of the Office held by that lady.
She also said that IL / wanted to resign
my Office she would prepare the resignation.
This she did. and | signed II. / know
absolutely nothing more of II. have not
given 1t a thought, and did not know that
any nurses had been sent to Manila
Colonel Hay was seen at his residence
and said that. SO far as he knew. the
society would be dissolved. II have never
given II any active attention and my resig-
nation went in on Friday night LAST. while
| was at the theatre. The society sent
some nurses to the Philippines. but they
were not needed there. and. being unused
to the climatic conditions rs well as the
military methods Of conducting affairs.
were only in the way. So obey came back
| believe there has been a considerable sum
of money subscribed toward the conduct of
the society. but cannot say 10 what Uses it
has been put. This will probably be fully
explained by Mrs. Creighton. when the
meeting is held for the purpose of re-
ceiving her statement as president gen.
eTal.'