The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-03
Outlines Preliminary Plans for Re.
lief Work in Europe Among the
AlIies-Publieity to Be
Given Plans

Henry P. Davidson, chairman OF
the Red Cross war council, at the
close of the weeks campaign for the
country's war fund, issued the fol-
lowing statement which suggests
of the ways in which the money will
be expended:
1.-The returns indicate that at least
$114, 900, 900 have been subscribed to
the Red Cross war fund. This as
sumes that stockholders in compa-
nes which have declared special d.
vidends amounting to some $2O,OOO,-
900 will turn their dividends over to
the Red Cross.
Local chapters of the Red Cross
are entitled to retain for their own
work 25 per cent of the total amount
collected, but it is very evident that
the National Red Cross will have
generous fund with which to begin
its tremendous tasks.
"The result which has been
achieved is indeed gratifying. New
er before in the history of the world
was such fund for the relief of hui
man. suffering raised by voluntary
subscription in so brief period.
This result was made possible by
surprisingly generous contributions
in many communities. The most in
spring, indeed the most extraordi-
nary feature of the campaign, has
been thenumber of contributors, as
well as their wide geographical dis
tribution. Many millions of our peo-
pie, representing every part Of the
country, have given and worked to
induce others to give
Nothing which has happened be-
fore shows so clearly as this cam
paign that the great heart of the
American people is in this struggle
with determination that our own men
shall be carried for, that everything
that can be done shall be done to
hearten and to aid the suffering peo
pies among our allies, indeed that
nothing shall be left undone to win
this war
No time will be lost by the Red
Cross in its efforts to accomplish re-
suits with the large resources with
which it has now been supplied.
Some of the plans which are being
developed and which we hope
promptly to carry into execution are
the following:
First and foremost we shall pro.
vide, as we may be called upon by
the army and navy, for the care and
safety of our soldiers and sailors
wherever they may be.
"We shall provide funds whereby
the American Red Cross commission
may take over administration of
American relief work in France.
Major Grayson NJ. p Murphy, head
of the French commission, has been
appointed by Gen. Pershng mem
Der of his staff. and the Red Cross
has appropriated at Major Murphy's
cabled request $l,OOO,OOO to take
+, care of immediate neds.
I'VE have cabled each of the al
lied governments seeking authority
to install an American Red Cross dis
pensary in each of their important
seaport cities-a measure of relief
urgently needed.
I'VE shall send to Russia a COM
mission of some twenty experts, un-
der the leadership of DR.. Frank Bill
ing of Chicago, to study the needs
and the best means of aiding the
Russian people
The commission will be equipped
with materials. instruments and ia
cilities for extending immediate re-
lief in urgent cases and the Red
Cross will meanwhile organized to
render large and effective aid along
the battle line and alse where in Rus
sia where there is acute distress. We
snail send similar commission to
make survey and likewise
equipped with supplies and instru.
ments to extend immediate relief to
the people of Roumania
THE war council of the Red Cross
is deeply sensitive of its very grave
obligation to administer the very
large sum of money instrusted to it
with all the wisdom and foresight
which can be mustered into service.
Our policies and plans will be
made known as they are developed.
1t will be our purpose to conduct our
work with the utmost publicity and
to take the public as completely as