davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Red Cross Mobilizes
Help for Halifax

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-Onc hun
drcd surgeons and physicians, more
than $50 nurses and number Of social
workers are being modified by the
American Red Cross IN the stricken
city OF Halifax. Some OF them already
have arrived and the remainder are
On route on special trains, including
one which left Providence, +. l., to-day.
", Frank Persons. director Of civi-
liam relief OF the Red Cross, made in
quiries OF the Halifax authorities to-
day whether anti-pneumonia serum was
needed. IL was feared that the expos
ure Of the destitute 70 the blizzard
raging over the city might result in an
epidemic Of pneumonia. lf the serum
is desired. a large quantity will be
sent tomorrow by express
+ 7. Macileltc, chairman of the
Halifax Relief Committee, teleGraphed
Mr. Persons TO-DAY that he believtd
the doctors, nurses ard supplies now
there or en- route would be sufficient TO
meet the needs OF the situation.
Secretary Daniels to-day offered the
Red Gross a quantity Of supplies At
Portsmouth for relief at Halifax. Two
ships. under the direction Of the navy.
already are at Halifax doing what they
can 10 relieve the situation, and another
has been sent from Provincetown Mass,
with a hospital unit TO cooperate with
the relief corps. The supplies al Ports
mouth include 25,000 blankets and 600
-4Dv.c
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
China Anxious to
Fight With Allies
She Is Willing to Send
Force Commensurate With
Aid She Receives
TStaf Correspondence


WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The Chinese
government has informed the Allies
that it desires TO participate actively
and extensively in the European war.
Fresh representations, it was learned
on authority to-day, have been made by
China in view of the Russian collapse
and the Italian reverses. China, a high
authority declared, stands ready 10
transport an army to Europe, and is
prepared to Immediately dispatch large
numbers of men for work behind the
lines in France.
China" this authority asserted, 'has
informed the Allies that she is willing
to do anything in the war in view Of
the Russian and Italian situations, and
that her cooperation will be limited
only by the assistance given TO her.
China has not the funds necessary for
creating armies and provisioning them,
but she has men and raw materials
which she will furnish in unlimited
number and quantity"
Although their names did not appear
in the published official lists, the Chi
nese Minister to France, Hu Wei-Teh,
and Lieutenant General Tang Tssi-Li,
vice-chief of the Chinese General Staff,
represented the Chinese government at
the Inter-Allied Conference in Paris
II is understood that they reiterated
the assurances OF the Peking govern
ment.
The Chinese military commission
now in Washington has no diplomatic
status and is not authorized to negoti-
ate loan, but is empowered TO contract
for war supplies, such as ordnance and
munitions, and it was considered prob
able to-day that it would award con-
tracts to several American firms before
completing its work here.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

u,i,,.es have been centred on the con
"ar,,a,;on of food and merchants nave
.n,rsndered ali their available suppHes
gor the common need. MIX is slmos.
.unobt,inable and fears are eHpresseu
for tho lives Of babies in arms unless
an adequate supply is assured from
outside sources.
At all hospitals, regular ana I'm
nrovi-ed, every available spot ~ ocCu
nied bv the wounded. In addition 70
the Nova Scotia General ana oamp mn
bosnitals and the inhrmary. the 1oung
Mems Christian Assoclaton' hhlEnIi <, ~
Of Columbus building, 81. Pauls hai,
and public places have been converted
into temporary hospitals. Doctors anu
nurses have worked increasingly slnSe
the first hours OF the explosion WIN
little or no sleep. ,
The Academy Of Music, the theaIeS
and halls of fraternal organiIatoh5
have been thrown open TO care TOT tne
homeless. Private citizens nave
opened their homes and gwen ther
extra clothing 20 the unfortunate
The newspaper Offices are tho cIehr-
ing houses for information, and tncy
Lave been besieged all during the
storm by throngs Of persons ANXIOUS
fo- news Of relatives. The city c'erh
Office ia the official headquarters Tor
lists of the dead and missing:
The spontaneous action OF tho United
states in Offering aid has awakened
new bond OF sympathy between the
two peoples. Relief also has been
promised from every town in Nova
Scotia and from all parts Of Canada.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Wounded From Halifax
Die on Trains Held Up
Hours by Heavy Storm

ST. JOHN. y. B.. Dec. s.--Contrary
TO the practice in Canada, trains vii.
be operated tomorrow TO expedite
supplies for Haitian. Arrangement
have been made 10 send a steamship
from here across the bay TO plgb>,
where its cargo OF supplies VIII be
forwarded by special train.
The local relief headquarters VIII
be open tomorrow and appeals for
donations will be made from all the
pulpits Of the city. There arc accom-
modations for additional injured here.
The weather improved tonight and
gave promise Of better service on the
railways.
Trains from Halifax and other
points east were reported a. hours
behind" and there were no promise
made regarding them. These trains
arc loaded with injured persons and
deaths upon them arc altogether prob
able. as scarcely trainioad Of in
iured has arrived heretofore without
bringing the bodies Of some who died
after the journey TO the hospitals at
Truro was begun.
The telegraph and telephone com
panjes we're in fair way 70 restore
ready wire communication with Hall
fax Yesterday. when tho storm set in,
VIII not only undid all their repairs,
but made matters worse than they
were Immediately following tho cXplo-
sion ir the harbor.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Military Has Situation
AT Halifax in Hand

OTTAWA. Dec. S.-A telegram say
ing the military authorities at Halifax
have the situation there we'll in hand
was received at military headquarters
here to-day. Tte message came from
Major General Benson, commanding
the military district in which Halifax
is located.
The list of those connected with the
naval service killed at Halifax, ac-
cording 20 adviccs received here to-
day, includes Commander Murray, for
mer harbor master of Quebec, recent
ly transferred from the Canadian to
the imperial service.
Cities throughout the Dominion raj
lied day to the relief of the stricken
city. From Hamilton, Ont. draft OF
100 men from the Second Central On
tario regiment was dispatched TO Hall
fax tonight. The party included bak-
crs, glaziers ard carpenters. From
Toronto Sir John Eaton, wealthy manu-
facturer, sent a special train carrying
medical supplies, .foodstufs, clothing
and other necessaries.
Three hundred injured are being
cared for in improvised hospitals IN
Truro, and an equal number in Wind
sor. Two hundred more injured per
sons were expected in Truro to-day.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Author of Charges
Against Red Cross
Called UntruthfuI
Accuser, High in War De
partment," Merits Severest
Censure, Says Ex-Director

+. A. Morec, former director OF the
Atlantic division Of the American Red
Cross, took up in detail yesterday the
accusations o. ineficiency recently
brought against tho Rcd Cross in
Washington and reached the conclusion
that the man high in The council Of
the War Department VINO made the
charges had wandered fer from the
truth.
"This anonymous person aid Mr.
Moree, says that the plain truth rs
that the Red Cross is femiH.-od 20 an
unbearabc degree. This is q plain lie
and plain nonsense. As matter OF
fact, the women Who before the war
gave such loyal and devoted service TO
the Red Gross have been so absolutely
relegatcd TO subordinate positions and
shorn Of their authority TO such an ex-
tent as 10 cause criticism based on al
legged unfairnoss.
"if il be true, as / very seriously
doubt, that requi5itiou has been made
upon the Red Gross for nurses which
has not been met. Red Cross officials
should explain what has become Of
nearly sixteen thousand nurses on their
rolls. There cannot be more than two
thousand in France. This unnamed ef-
fciency expert should have been ia
miliar with the fact also that from
sixteen to twenty-five Of the best train
ing schools Of the country have actual
ly shortened their courses one year for
college graduates who have a minimum
equipment of scientific training. As
matter of fact, forty thousand nurses
are in training schools. There are now
three thousand more pupils in training
than there were last year.
at is absolutely untrue also that
there are amateur nurses in France
under the supervision Of the Red Cross.
There are many unframed volunteers
doing civilian relief work of various
kinds, and there may be interesting so
ciety amateurs doing more or less in
teresting and important tasks under
the supervision OF other agencies. but
to state that there is 'veritable
plague of American amateur nurses in
Red Cross units or doing Red Cross
nursing work is worse than a lie, and
if 1t were made by newspaper with
out the authority of some army official
backing it, the newspaper very proper
ly would be subjected TO severe censurc.
"May | suggest that such anonymous
criticism of what amounts practically
to one bureau Of the War Department
by an official of the War Department
merits the severest censure? If such
abuse Of its functions and failure 10
live up to its obligations exist in the
Red Cross. the charges should actu-
ally be filed, published and thrashed
out publicly. The Red Cross belongs
to the American people more truly than
does any other department or bureau
of the government"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Governor General
Thanks Wilson for
u. S. Aid to Halifax

OTTAWA, Dec. s.-The Governor
General has sent the following reply
10 the message Of sympathy and offer
Of assistance from President wilson
to the city of Halifax: .......
81 desire TO thank your Excellency
for your message, which the Canadian
government and ! have received. with
profound appreciation and gratitude.
We recognize in it and in the generous
offers of assistance TO the stricken city
of Halifax which have been received
from many quarters of the United
States a further proof of that commu-
nifty of feeling which unites the two
peoples in a bond Of mutual sympa-ny
and interest so particularly appropriate
at the present time, wherT both arc en-
gagged I'm a common purpose TO Ylndl-
cate the principles Of liberty and JUS
tice upon which the foundations OF
both governments rest
The Governor General has received
the following message from the King
expressing sympathy in the HalifaH
disaster:
buckingham Palace,
London, December s, 1911.
Most deeply regret to hear OF Sc
rious explosion at Halifax, resultlns IN
great loss of life and property. Pieise
convey to people of Halifax, where !
have spent so many happy times, my
true sympathy in this grievous calAm'
ity. (Signed) George, H. =
kilograms Of sympathy have been re,
ceived also from the Governor General
of Australia, the Governor Of South
Australia, the British naval commander
in chief on the North American Sta
ton, Edouard de Billy, Deputy frerch
High Commissioner, New York, ana
Governor Carl Milliken of Maine.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Women's SocialClub
Cloaks Shoplifters
Arrest of Two Leads to
Startling Discovery in
The Bronx

Somewhere in The Bronx there is an
exclusive little organization Of ten
women who divide their leisure time
between card playing and robbing the
tig department stores. Rainy days are
spent in card playing; pleasanter days
are given over to the equally thrilling
pastime of shoplifting.
Two Of the members Of this organza-
tion are believed TO have been ar
rested in the persons of Mrs. Bertha
Crossman" and "Mrs. Anna Goodman" I"
who appeared in the Jefferson Market
Court yesterday to answer % charges
of shoplifting. They were held in $4,000
bonds for hearing next Friday. The
women gave fi2 LongfellOw Avenue and
l42 Madison Street, Brooklyn, as their
addresses. butthese, like their names,
were found TO be fictitious.
Miss Ethel Neyar, department
store detective, told Of her discovery
Of the operations Of the ten women
who make up the bizarre social club
while awaiting the calling Of the cases
of the two under arrest. She is hope
full that the entire club roster may be
transferred to the arrest book of the
West Thirtieth Street police station,
where these two names have been en-
rolled, in the near future.
It was not until o'clock in the eve
ming that a patrolman. noticing an au-
tomobile with unlighted lamps at
Fortieth Street and Fifth Avenue,
aroused a small boy who was doing in
II. and inquired as TO the owners where
= bouts. Peter Bardenian, the sleepy oc-
cupant of the car, explained that he
lad been watching the machine almost
daily for weeks while the two women
owners Of the machine "shopped" in de-
partment stores. Later IL developed
that Bardenian was the wstchman for
The imn woman under arrest.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

knees by her cot, saying her morning
PRAYER. The house collapsed. Hours
later Lola was found in the midst of
the wreckagc, hemmed in by fallen
timbers and surrounded by broken
glass, but quite unharmed, still on her
knees and praying fervently.
In cellar at Richmond soldier in
uniform was seen digging frantically
It was Private Henneberry, who had
been overseas with the SD Battalion
and recently returned home wounded
Here was my home," explained the
soldier briefly, while he continued 10
dig, "snd I am sure | heard moan a
moment ago" Others gave him a
hand, and presently from under a
kitchen stove, the protruding ashpan
of which had protected her, was re-
vealed Henneberry's eighteen-months-
old baby, Olive. Her wounds were su-
perticial. But the private's joy LAS
shortlived. A little more digging ex-
posed the bodies of his wife and five
other children.
At one hospital several children were
listed as negroes from their general ap-
pearance. Later il was discovered that
they had been white before the flames
reached them.
Word has come from st. John that
more injured can be accommodated
there. Among the injured already in
that city, the cases Of twenty are crit
ical. In one morgue in Halifax are 800
bodies.
The latter were viewed by multi
tude to-day, but only few were iden-
titled. There are probably 200 other
bodies on view awaiting Identification.
In the greater number of cases this
will be impossible.
II is estimated 500 bodies have been
recovered and that only half of these
have been identified. With the proba
bility of other snowstorms soon, and
considering that many persons were
killed beneath the ruins of their homes
and in the collapse of other buildings.
it is believed possible many weeks may
elapse before all the dead are recoy-
cred.
The whole devastated district is un-
der strict guard, Canadian soldiers be-
ing assisted effectualy by American
bluejsckets. The search OF the ruins
is greatly delayed by the heavy snow,
though many injured had been removed
TO nearby towns before the storm set in.
Premier Thanks United States
Sir Robert Borden, the Premier. VINO
has arrived here. conferred with local
committees and this afternoon issued a
statement expressing thanks to the peo-
pie of the United States for their gem
erous aid. The Premier referred CRATE
fully to the arrival of the Massschu-
setts relief train.
With every building in Halifax and
Dartmouth more or less damaged, men,
women and children huddled together
as best they could last night. The
chilling wind whistled through smashed
windows, there were scarcely blankets
enough to cover wounded bodies and
many were unable to obtain food. Fires
we're almost out of the question and
the only lights obtainable were from
oil lamps or candles
Out of the chaotic conditions rich
and poor have rallied gallantly to
their duty of caring for the injured
and homeless and accounting for the
dead.
Perhaps the most serious Of the
many problems to be met is the food
situation. There is enough food in
the city for immediate needs, but un-
less communication is opened soon
the city faces the possibility of fam
inc. The energies of local relief COM
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

in the war zone. Debris from shells
steel plates and shrapnel have been
found over an area of ten square miles
with a five mile radius.
Two American vessels. one Of them .
naval cruiser, were forty-fye miles on
shore. making for port at the moment
of the catastrophe. The shock was /"
great that the chief officer Of the var
ship believed at first, THE Star cor,
respondent says, that the cruiser had
struck a mine. Then, seing another
vessel on the horizon, ne concluded Do
had been fired upon.
AT Sydney, 200 miles distant IN On
airline, the shock was like that o.
severe earthquake. Windows in TIE
Hotel Learmont, at Truro, more than
sixty miles away, were broken and .
clock was shaken from the wall OF ths
train dispatcher's Office. A barn o.
Meagher's Grant, thirty-fve miles from
Halifax, was lifted from its found'
tions.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Local Division Appropri-
ates and Expends $4,000
for Clothing
Medical Supplies Sent
Enough Doctors and Nurses
on Way to Handle Relief,
Says Washington

The Atlantic Division OF the Aneri-
can Red Cross yesterday morning ap-
propriatcd $4,000 FOR the purchase OF
clothing Tor the stricken Of Halifax, at
meeting in headquarters, - East
Twenty-third Street By nlghifal'
agents OF the Rcd Cross had expended
10 in the purchase Of shoes, stockings,
ruhbcrs and clothing.
These articles. together with ether,
surgical dressings, other hospital sup
Plies and clothing sent into the Red
Cross from various local organizations,
will be shipped from this city to-mor-
row morning. IN all. two carloads Of
materials viii leave for Halifax, John
Magee. director OF military relief for
tho Atlantic Division, announced last
night. Hc stated, too, that large sup
ply Of ether and dressings was expressed
from this city 30 Nova Scotia yesterday.
No New Medical Forces
Following A telephone conversation
with the headquarters Of the Red Cross
in Washington, Mr.. MaGee announced
that the plan 10 send additional doctors
and nurses 10 the stricken city had
been abandoned Washington, he
stated, had declared that the medical
forces already IN Halifax we're sufi-
Ocut TO adequately handle the situa-
ton there.
90 want 10 correct the impression "
said Mr.. MaCee, that the Red Cross is
collecting secondhand clothing FOR
Halifax. VIC are purchasing brand new
stuff. That only will be Of value there.
Furthermore. while VIC are making no
direct appeals for funds, We will be
clad 20 look after the forwarding OF
money sent Us. Checks should be sent
10 the Tweqty-third Street headquar-
ters. Hospital supplies and contribu-
irons Of new articles OF wearing ap-
rarcl also will be forwarded They
should pe sent TO the Fed Cross ware
houses A. Ffty-seventh Street and the
North River.
Mr. NAcpe announced last night that
in addition to supplies already scknowl-
edged. the Atlantic Division has re-
ceived a donation Of 81 900 from the
Van Cortlandt Chapter and two boxes
OF new clothing from the Colonial
DANES. The British War Relief So
,ctv has donated ten cases Of clothing
and twenty cases OF hospital supplies.
The Brooklyn and various New Jersey
chapters of the Red Cross are also pre-
Iaring shipments TO be forwarded here.
Christian Herald Helps
The Atlantic Division had released
for shipment tomorrow 1000 pairs Of
woollen pajamas and 1000 convalescent
robes. These were taken from the REQ
Cross warehouse At 12O East Fifteenth
Street.
'The Christian Herald" last night
csbled $4,000 TO the Lord Mayor of
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

MONTREAL. Dee. s.-A graphic story
Of the flight of surviving inhabitants OF
Halifax after the explosion was told by
the Rev. George Adam, pastor Of Mon
treal Congregational church, who ar
rived here to-day from Halifax, where
he was in a hotel at the time.
"All that had been pictured and writ
ten Of the fleeing Belgian refugees
flashed across my mind as ! witnessed
tho stampede" he said. The people
had been warned by shouted instructions
20 proceed 10 the south Of the town as
another explosion seemed imminent.
Nuns. who had left the clustered
Quiet Of their converts; old bed-ridden
women, who were being carried along
in sheets; half-dressed mothers, with
babies wrapped in blankets, hurried
past; blind men were being led By little
hoys. II was pathetic, too, to see the
little girls, clutching their cats and pet
dogs, hurry past. Cinnamon, shaken
out Of their Celestial calm, careened
southward. Bluejackets, hremen and
sailors Of all descriptions left their
ships in the harbor and we're making
for safety. There were motors, too and
carts and wagons and perambul lators IN
plenty in this flow Of frightened people.
Stay Out in Icy Cold
"Soon the story Of the disaster began
to shape in my mind as held converse,
tions with the people passing who had
come from the scene. The first actual
tale of horror was from ex-ContToller
McKeen, who. with many tears, spoke
Of deaths, maimings, burnines, IN the
north end district. The fear OF
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Stampede in Halifax Like
Belgian Refugees Flight
BedRidden Women Carried in Sheets Blind Led by Boys
Mothers With Babies and Children Holding Cats and
Dogs in Exodus as Flames Ragged, Says Survivor

further cxplosion passed. as the result
.oC Tho val,art efforts of the tre night
crs and. with that relief, some OF the
neonlo turned backward to their
wrecked homes. The majority could
mot Lowover. be treasured, and waited
ont iu the open. in the biting wind, for
many hours.
"Houseg had been blown over by the
bpndred. Fires in stoves had kindled
the woodwork. and many persons, un-
able 10 break their way out were
burned. Dead lay in the streets u
seemed as if some giant with seythe
had hewn the whole neighborhood down
with a mighty sweep and then spat
fire on II.
"On the outer ridge Of the circle
factories and shops were shooting
great tongues OF fame toward the
morning skies. Notably the cotton
factory, which is the centre Of the back
ground, sent IT'S leaping flames 200 feet
Many Families Destroyed
There are many stories of families
wine out. Of burned children seeking
vainlv 10 awaken dead mothers, OF
workmen husbands racing home to
find a ruin and their families dead"
Mr.. Adam said 90 per cent OF the
railway equipment was pounded 10
pieces by the explosion.
Great praise must some day be ac.
corded to the energy and enterprise OF
tho doctors and nurses for the smaz-
ing way in which they minlstered to
this mighty call Of bruised and bleed
ing human beings" the clergyman
added THE fremen, too. though their
chief work was among the dead, fought
with fidelity and fearlessness that
proved that they were of the same
stock as the fellows who are fighting
AT the front"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
$4,000 Is Pledged in
Chicago for Relief

CHICAGO, Dec. s.--At a meeting
here to-day of committee organized
90 rush relief 10 Halifax $4,000 was
pledged on the spot
National Bank, acted as chairman Of
the meeting
81 lived for seven years in Halifax"
he said. Halifax sent relief TO Chi
csgo in 1871 at the time of the great
fire. What we do must be done with
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
N. J. Woman Loses Four
Of Family at Halifax

WESTFlELD, n. j., Dec. S.-Ths
death of her mother, two sisters and
brother in the Halifax disaster has
been reported by Mrs. Joseph f. Man
thorne. of Florence Avenue, this place
Mrs. Manthorne's brother was wounded
while serving with the Canadian forces.
which he joined in 1914, and was in
valided from the trenches in France.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Shock Felt Like Mine
To Ship As Miles OFF

MONTREAL, Dec. s.-The tremen-
dous force exerted by the explosion
that destroyed the northern half of
Halifax is said by the correspondent of
THE Montreal Star" TO have been
greater, probably, than any explosion
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

Halifax for immediate relief work. The
money. 10 was stated, was forwarded on
lehalf Of the periodicals readers
throughout the country,
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Halifax Dead
Put at 1000;
10000 Homeless

Continued from page
New-York tribune., 1917-12-09

Tho Atlantic Division had released
for shipment tomorrow 1000 pairs OF
woollen pajamas and 1000 convalescent
robes. These were taken from the RED
Cross warehouse at 12O East Fifteenth
Street.
"The Christian Herald" last night
csbled $4,000 TO the Lord Mayor Of