Arizona republican., 1915-12-09
WORK OF RED GROSS AT FRONT
 Is DESCRIBED
IRepubIican A. p. Leased wIreI


 WASHINGTON. Dec. S.-War relief measures and a description of the work of American surgeons and nurses in the European war were the chief topics at the annual meeting of the American Red Cross today. Former President William Howard Taft presided. Speak CTS described efforts of relief work iu Mexico.
 Reorganization of the society to meet the need of separate divisions in charge Of military and civilian relief work was the chief business of the meeting. The office of National Di- rector was abolished and in its place two offices were created-director gen eral of military relief and director gen eraI of civilian relief. Ernest P. BicE- reH, formerly national director. was placed at the head of the civilian branch and Major General Arthur Murray. retired. elected vice chairman of the central committee, were named directors general pro-tempore of miIi- tary relief.
 All other officers Of the society were reelected
 A resolution was adopted thanking the Rockefeller foundation for it's co- operation with the Red Cross in relief work in Serbia.
 President Wilson occupied the chair while Dr. Strong told of the American Red Cross sanitary work in stamping out tvphus in Serbia and during the address of Charles J. O'ConnOr special representative of the Red Cross. who brought word of famine and misery as he saw them two months ago in Mex ico City
 Dr Strong in concluding his address turned toward the president as he said
 We have heard much in the United States of the preparedness of our country for general defense. One i'm portant problem in this connection k the question of preparedness of our physicians to deal with epidemics of infectious diseases in the field and their knowledge Of the problems relat- ing to the hygiene of camp life and of large bodies of troops"
 Mir. O'COnnor replied to those who have charged Red Cross workers with giving untrue reports of conditions in Mexico by saving that he had data showing that in the federal district about Mexico City in October the daily number of deaths due to starvation was ahout 220. He added that he con- ! say that at least 2.00O were dying every day iE the whole Of Mexico for lack of | food or on account of disease attendant upon famine conditions Tn the streets" be declared. 'I often saw gaunt women and children claw ing in barren garbage heaps for scraps. ] saw groups of pathetic wretches waiting hours before doors of private Eouscs for q cupful of soup. I saw acres of pauper graves where the dead were buried SO fast that the tin name plates required by law. were not set g. boVe the graves"
 Frief accounts Of European war re- lief activities by American organiza- tions were given at a session tonight Mrs Robert Pacon told of work done by the American Ambulance Hospital in France and Mrs. Ethelbert Nevin spoke on the aid rendered by the French emergency wounded fund.
 Julius Goldzicr. representative of the German Austrian relief committee of Chicago. described relief efforts for the Teutonic allies directed from America.
 Miss Mabel T. Boardman urged Red Cross preparedness.
 Major General George w. Davis. T.. $. A. retired. who recently was suc- ceeded by William II. Taft. as chair man of the Red Cross Central commits sion. was presented with a gold medal in recognition of his eight years Red Cross service.