Evening star., 1915-03-07
American Red Cross and
Rockefeller Foundation Plan
Sanitation Expedition.
WILL SEEK TO CLEAN UP
FEVER-INFESTED AREAS
Epidemic of Disease Is Said to Over
shadow Actual War
Conditions.

Very serious epidemic both of tvphus
and of typhoid fever exists in Serbia
so serious that two of the American
Red Cross units assigned there had to
he temporarily withdrawn The Rocke-
feller Foundation and the American
Red Cross are planning TO cooperate
in sending Il sanitation expedition into
Serbia to clean up the fever infested
areas.
Confirmation of this was received
from Miss Ma bel T. Boardman. chair
man of the national relief board. and
Maj. Robert L. Patterson, L. S. A., in
charge of the medical relief work, fol-
lowing a meeting of the executive
board of the American Red Cross last
evening,
The report made by Ernest +. Bick-
hell. national director of the American
HE'D Cross. who has been member of
the Rockefeller Foundation commission
investigating conditions in the Euro
rean war area. SAYS that the epidemic
in Serbia now overshadows war con-
ditions. Reliable advices to the Ameri
Red Cross headquarters show that
the conditions are very serious and that
there are thousands of persons suffer-
ing from the epidemic.
Red Cross Worker Victim.
1t is known that DIR. James F. Dom
nelly. who was with one of the Amer
lean Red Cross units in Serbia, died on
February %, and though the cause of
his death has not been announced it is
generally understood that he was
fever victim. Others connected with
the Red Cross units have also been suf-
ferers.
Recognizing the urgent need for hu-
manitariau work to stamp out this cpl
demic, the Rockefeller Foundation is
willing to generously contribute to the
maintenance of a sanitation expedition
If the American Red Cross will act as
its administering agency. At the meet
ing of the executive board last even
ing the question of the legal rights of
the American Red Cross to participate
was considered and nothing was
brought forward to discourage such ac-
tion. Mai Patterson said after the
meeting that the cost of the expedition
is now being considered, that latest
and accurate reports as to the present
conditions are being sought and that
within a week it is probable that the
machinery for an extensive sanitation
expedition into Serbia under Red Cross
auspices will be set in motion.
Can Act as Agent
Maj. Patterson pointed out that while
The American Red Cross cannot appeal
for funds to carry on it's work in any
one of the belligerent countries, it can
properly act as the agent in admin
fstering any funds designated for work
in any particular country, and that the
fever epidemic in Serbia can be con-
strued a humanitarian work in
dependent of war conditions.
The purpose of organization of the
american Red Cross clears this n0inf
IL is the volunteer aid society of the
United States. chartered by the Con-
Eress of the United States ito furnish
volunteer aid to the sick and wounded
of armies in time of war and to carry
on system of national and inter-
national relief in time of peace and to
apply the same In mitigating the suf-
1erings caused by pestilence, famine,
fire, floods and other great national
calamities.''
Washington has particular interest
in the ravages of epidemic throughout
surgeons are in charge of American
Red Cross units there-Dr. Ernest F.
Magruder. director of unit 3, and Dr.
Ethan F'lagg Butler, son of Charles
Henry Butler. 1885 ] street, in charge
of unit .. Latest messages received
from them by their relatives here. both
directly and through the Red Cross
headquarters, state that they are well
gical supply depot at 1920 F. street, in
charge of the Misses Randolph and Nc
Cannon. last week sent a large con-
signment of surgical supplies and hos
pital garments to DIR. Butler, the funds
for which had been contributed by his
friends in Washington.
DR.. Ryan at Belgrade.
The American Red Cross unit 1 at