Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-26
RED CROSS ACTIVITY
IN EUROPE TO STOP
Lack of Funds Makes It Nee
essary to Withdraw Doc
tors and Nurses October |.
ALL UNITS TO RETURN
EXCEPT POSSIBLY TWO
Those in Belgium, Where There Is
Greatest Neea May Remain-Miss
Boardman lakes Statement.

Decision of the American Red Cross
TO withdraw, October l, it's doctors and
nurses from the European battlefelds
was being discussed today by officers of
the society, who expressed regret at
the necessity for the action. Lack of
funds is given as the reason by Miss
Mabel I. Boardman, chairman of the
Red Cross relief committee, who an
nounced that on the date mentioned
the general fund, aggregating $780,
900, will have been exhausted.
OF the sixteen units, all will return
70 the United States with the possible
exception of the two in Belgium, where
there is the greatest need. The Serbian
sanitary commission and other work
supported by special contributions will
be continued as long as funds are
available.
Summarizing the record of the Red
Cross in the warning nations Miss
Boardman said that a total of 3S7 per
sons had been engaged in the work. in
GLIDING II surgeons, 253 nurses and 43
members Of the Serbian sanitary COM
mission, and in addition an enormous
amount of medical supplies had been
sent into the war zone.
This personnel, except the Belgian
units and the sanitary commission.
VIII October l have been maintained
The statement issued by Miss Board
man says:
Statement by Miss Boardman.
THE tour of duty required of each
surgeon and nurse does not exceed six
months. so that number have already
returned and substitutes been sent. BY
October a large number of those now in
Europe will return. The cost of the
transportation of these surgeons and
nurses going and coming makes con-
staant and considerable financial de-
mand upon the Red Cross treasury The
monthly pay roll is also a large item of
expense,
In view of these facts and because
It's funds are rapidly becoming ex-
hausted, the American Red Cross has
decided by October / of the present year
to withdraw the personnel now in Eu-
rope, possibly with the exception of the
units in Belgium. Much as 1t regrets
this necessity, it realizes that no Red
rendered so long and extensive service
In the way of personnel to nations en-
gagged in war.
Epidemic of Typhus Suppressed.
The work of the American Red Cross
sanitary commission, under DR. Richard
p. Strong, for which the Rockefeller
Foundation has made generous contribu.
lions has been most successful Dr.
Strong was appointed director of the in
ternational health board. composed of
Serbian health officers and the heads of
the English, French and Russian mis-
sions. The American minister at Buch-
arest reports to the State Department
that the epidemic of typhus has been
suppressed.
"A large number of persons also
have been vaccinated against cholera
and SO far no epidemic of that disease.
which was very serious during the
Balkan wars. has been reported.
THE American Red Cross is now ar
ranging for physicians, nurses and
equipment for a baby hospital in
Serbia. for which special contributions
have been received through Nine.
Grouitch.
Supplies Sent by Red Cross.
In addition to the summary of Red
Cross activities given above the report
sent to the belligerent countries shows
that the Red Cross has sent into the