Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-05-08

VI tdSil yCdI
l9la S,ItZl0
i9!o ...........'.. '........ iS'25..US
1914 1s ...........'......... 5s'5l6.So
1916 iii monthsj ....... 43.9i1.6S
From the above figures it will be seen
that the receipts from the sale of sup
plies for the eleven months of 1916 ex-
ceeded by s12S4024 the entire receipts
for the first three years and it is .esti-
mated. that upon the conclusion of the
present year the cash receipts from the
sale of first add ald ooo boxes. etc. will be in
Ef s gain over 1915 of
Owing to heavy. advances in the cost
Of materials which go to make up our
first aid boxes; it is found necessary to
revise our selling prices and an ad-
dendum giving this information is now
being prepared for insertion in our cata-
4a2: Supply Division: U. s. Military
ReNef-With the mobilization of our
troops on the Mexican border last May active
steps were taken to provide for all contingen.
depots for receiving and forwarding supplies
were Immediately established at the following
central points:
New York. n. Y. Kansas City. Mo.
Cincinnati. Ohio Denver, Colorado
Chicago. III San Francisco California
Thfra additional depots which also served
through the receiving depots, were opened at
San Antonio. Texas Douglas, Arizona
While an appeal for storage space and other
facilities met with prompt and substantial
support from patriotic individuals in most of
these depots involved very considerable ex
pense. and as soon as it became apparent that
the needs of our troops would be limited to
minor accessories all were closed with the
ception of the one at Ell Paso. Owing to the
large number Of troops located in that vi
cinity this depot has been indispensable. but in
ing supplies available space has for several
months been utilized and equipped as read
ing and writing room for the men, and the fa
cilities so afforded have been constantly taxed
and greatly appreciated.
OF the supplies distributed to the troops on
the border a large proportion have been sent
plete reports regarding these have. no1 as
heen received. The records show. however
warded and the actual total doubtless greatly
exceeds this number. In addition to the above
it is known that funds in excess Of $4,000
have been contributed and there have been
important special donations, including a field
kitchen and an ambulance
As this report is being written the various
Christmas gifts for the regular troops in Mex-
co and the marines in Haiti. Response to the
Acting. Chairman's appeal he's been so gen.
erous from certain Chapters that it is believed
every serving with these evolutionary
forces will receive a personal token Of re.
membrance and esteem.
niles several thousand troops We're served at
Refreshment Stations established by Red Cross
CHAPTERS located at .i points en- route to the
Quoted most successfully, and considering
the expenditure involved have been of excep
4aa. Base Hospital units-During
the past four months three complete outfits
have been purchased and stored and nine
more are now being assembled The question
barrassing one which has caused delav. bu5
it is believed that in most cases a, satisfactory
solution is now in prospect and that add-
fjOnal units will he cOmDlpted the
sary funds being already pledged or available
434. European Relief-In view of the
enormous demands from abroad. which stead
lily tend to increase in volume. l regret to re-
port that the work of this Society in affordng
relief within the war zone. shows = marked
diminution as compared with that of the pre-.
ceding twelve months. the total value of all
SHIPMENTS ses in 1915 81 o. being $55s 56o25, and
the records. however shows that this fan g
off is due almost entirely to the unfortunate
fact that since last January it has been i'm
practicable to forward relief supplies to the
Shipments have. however, been made to the
following countries: Belgiums England
Serbia. and in addition there are now supplies
awaiting shipment at the Red Cross Ware
house in Brooklyn. amounting in value to
Appended hereto will be found detailed
statement covering all shipments since the
first frs made ,o,s on September = 1914, to Novem-
As i. has been impossible to afford relief
within the Central Powers special efforts have
been made to compensate for this by sending
from funds not otherwise Obligated to pris
oners Of war in Siberia; and although trans
portation has presented a serious problem
the following shipments have been made dur
ing the past twelve months
No. OF shipments ............ IL
No. of packages .......... 4o15
Total value ............. S7641242
Through the cooperation of the Navy Navy De.
rpartmsnt the 2. s. $. Caesar. will sail from
cargo Of supplies to be distributed to civil
sns in Syria Included therein will be a
shipment na. OF medicines. surgical instruments
lean Red Cross at cost exceeding $40 900
Every effort has been made to obtain ac-
tion Of supplies and this information when
obtainable has been promptly furnished to
contributors While this has involved a great
OF the utmost value in stimulating interest in
this work and special efforts are being made
to. obtain such information from certain coun
tries whence, detailed reports have heretofore
been incomplete or lacking.
Cpon various occasions this Society has
oners of war either individually or collectively
within certain areas owing to uncertainty in
transportation or delivery It is believed.
great measure, been relieved and that such
supplies may be forwarded to prisoners Of
war in England. France. Belgium Germany,
Austria and Russia tincuding siberia). New
ertheless: difficulties in transportation cause
great delay. particularly in shipments to Rus
sia and Siberia, and this must be reckoned
upon in contemplating deliveries. Further
more. 1t must be realized that for various
reasons personal Acknowledgements not al
ways forthcoming and failure to receive the
same in due season does not necessarily i'm
ply lack Of delivery
While the distribution Of supplies in many
parts Of Europe has now become thoroughly
systematized and is being conducted on an
immense scale. there is reason to believe that
distress has never been more widespread and
that reYfain civilian communities md
prison camps il is truly appalling.
cannot close this report. therefore: with
growth Of this Society in numbers and influ-
ence its benefcent activities may vastly ex.
pand. bringing new life and hope to these
sufferingt multitudes
435. American Red Cross Shipuasuts
. from Sept. 2, 1914 70 nov. !, 1sle-(De-
tai figures Of report omitted and totals only
given:
To Allied Powers-
Shipments .......... ora
Packages e........... aS la6
Purchased Supplies ..... e42e. <sI 90