The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-07
RELIEF TRAINS
TO HALIFAX BY
U. S. RED CROSS
Three Specials Already Dis
patched; More if Needed.
Carry Doctors, Nurses, Food
and Relief Supplies.
.RESCUERS WORK THRU NIGHT
Relief Work Handicapped To-
day by Heavy Snow Storm.
NeighbOring Towns Send Food,
Blankets and Clothing.
U. S. SAILORS AMONG DEAD
Report Seeing Bodies Wearing
American Navy Uniforms.
Hundreds of Injured to Nearby
Towns in Special Trains.

Washington, Dec. Promptly re-
spending to the cry of human suf-
fering from horror stricken Halifax,
the American Red Cross already has
dispatched three special trains-two
from Boston and one from New York
and stands prepared to send more
relief if necessary The first train out
of Boston last night carried 5 doc
tors, 80 nurses and large supplies of
medical necessities and carloads of
clothing and bedding and food.
John4F. Moors will be in charge of
the Red Cross relief work in Halifax.
All supplies will be directed to him
and the work of surgeons, nurses and
social workers will be under his di-
rection. Surgeons and nurses are be-
ing rushed to the scene of devastation
in three trains and more will be sent
forward if Mr.. Moors considers them
necessary.
Send Full Hospital Unit.
From Boston a base hospital unit
has been ordered to Halifax with a
full corps of surgeons and nurses
whose work will be supplemented by
that of an organized body of social
workers. The train from New York
will not arrive there before midday
tomorrow.
The report received by the navy
department that perhaps 5000 had
been killed by the explosion also was
received by the Red Cross from its
in Boston who had re-
ceived it from the military command
ant there.
Jesse H Jones, director general of
the military relief of the Red Cross
continued his Investigations today of
the conditions in order 10 do all his
organization can to alleviate the situa-
ton It was regarded as probable that
other relief trains would be sent soon.
The train ordered from New York
will carry a greater quantity of sup
plies than sent on either OF these
from New England.
Carloads of Food, Clothes, Etc.
Several carloads of clothing, bed
ding and foodstuffs have been packed
and a large amount of surgical in
struments, dressings and other medi-
cal supplies have been included.
Many Fires Still Burning.
Halifax, Dec. Fires are still
burning in the sections of Halifax
which were devastated by yesterdays S
disastrou munitions ship explosion. A
heavy snow set in early this morning,
seriously impeding the work of rescu-
ing the injured and recovering the
bodies of the dead.
The snowfall, however, comes as an
aid to the firemen in quenching the
flames in ruins. Special trains bring
ing doctors, nurses and medical sup
plies arrived here today from Mono
ton, Truro and Windsor. Other spe-
cial trains have been sent with in
jured persons to Windsor and other
places where there are large hospitals.
There is wreck and ruin on every
side. Every building in the city is
damaged, glass broken, plaster down,
windows and doors shattered. Busi-
ness is suspended and will be for days.
All schools and colleges have been
closed until after New Years.
Influx of Refugees at Truro.
Truro. N. s., Dec. no accurate
statement of the number of persons
killed and wounded as a result of the
blowing up of the French munitions
steamer Mont Blanc in Halifax har-
Dor yesterday after collision with the
Belgian relief steamer limo was avail
able here early today. Estimates made
by hundreds of survivors who came
here during the day and night varied
from 800 to 2,o0o killed. The prop
erty damage chiefly along the water
front and in the manufacturing,
wholesale and residential districts will
reach several millions of dollars
Truro, a manufacturing town of
5000 inhabitants, the nearest place of
importance to Halifax, was made a
center of relief activities 1t was i'm
possible to care for all the injured
persons in Halifax where the hospi-
tails were quickly over burdened, and
a large number were sent to Truro
for treatment. One train brought
two hundred. Arrangements were
made hastily to care for these and to
extend hospitality to the many home
less men, women and children who
came here as quickly as they could
get away from Halifax Railway
facilities were taxed to their utmost
Canadian government railway officials
and employees worked all night and
put into service every available piece
of rolling stock.
Much Suffering in Cold.
Steps were taken today to rush to
Halifax all the food that could be OBJ
tanned. Refugees said many people
were without food and that the need
of a large supply from outside was
urged. Supplies of clothing and
blankets also were sent forward
Altho the weather remained fair,
the temperature was below freezing
and there was much suffering over
night among the thousands whose
homes had been wrecked The work
of the railroad men included making
arrangements to expedite the move
ment across the peninsula Of relief
, trains from St John. N. B., and other
Continued on Page Two.l