New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-31
Ambassador Page Appoint
ed President at Dudley
House Meeting
ToGiveAid in England
American Wives of English
men To Be Eligible-British
Society Approves Move
By ARTHUR s. DRAPER
tBy Cabs 10 The Tribunel

London, May SO.--A crowded meet
ing representative Of all the Ameri-
cans in London held in Dudley House
to day inaugurated the London chapter
Of the American Red Cross. AM
bassador Page was appointed president
for the time being and Mrs. Whitelaw
Reid temporary chairman.
Ambassador Page, presiding, said
that the institution OF London chap
ter met with the full appreciation of
the American Red Cross. which is now
a war organization as well as the
British Red Cross and the Order of St
John. He said the chapter would in
clude as members all the Americans in
London. while the rules would be
altered to include the American wives
of Englishmen and British citizens
eligible as associates.
The objects of the chapter are fye:
To provide hotels for nurses and &C
commodation for soldiers and sailors.
To receive and distribute contribu-
tions.
To become the headquarters for the
American hospital units.
To organize American hospitals in
England if and when needed.
To institute work rooms for vo!un-
tary workers engaged in war work like
the manufacture of hospital dressings
Temporary Officers Approved
1t will be impossible to elect per
manent officers until the membership
roll is begun. but those temporarily
designated have the full approval OF
the American Red Cross, which SEM
kilograms Of congratulation.
The Hon. Arthur Stanley, chairman
Of the British Red Cross, offered the
gathering the heartiest welcome Of the
British organization. He especially
approved Ambassador Pages statement
that all voluntary aid for forces in the
field must be given through the Ameri
can Red Cross ana that alone. At the
beginning of this war the British Wal
office adopted contrary policy. The
result was that all kinds of individual:
went to France, ard subsequently com
plants were received that spies were
operating under the gu.se OF hospita
workers.
The War Office then gave full con
troll to the Rel Cross, with the result
that all work ard the entire personne
in any war zone are now under th'
sole supervision of Red Cross com
missioner. who is entirely responsible
The American Red Cross, he said
would work under similar system.
Mr. Stanley told how the British Red
Cross at the start of the war consisted
of secretary, two boys and $4,000
Nevertheless they launched themselves
unhesitatingly into all manner of com
mitments, with the result that to-day
they have 1000 motor ambulances OPP
erating-the American hospital al
Neully showed them what motor am
balances meant-a feet of motor boats
operating on the Tigris, Charlie Chap
lin films provided for Malta, billiard
tables for Alexandria and even lost
wedding dress for girl going to marry
her fiance, prisoner in Switzerland.
Wide Scope for American Aid
This alone shows the extent of the
work, but. Mr.. Stanley declared, in no
previous wars had The wounded re-
ceived such good treatment as in this
and there is scope for American aid in
every direction. He and his associa-
ton were proud to be associated with
Americans in the work of relieving the
wounded and the suffering.
Sir Robert Hudson, treasurer of the
British section, then said that the Red
Cross had raised s35,000,000 during the
war Answering an inquiry as to what