New-York tribune., 1917-07-27
Allied Charities
Consider Plan to
Ignore Red Cross
May Make Own Shipping
Arrangements Unless
Dispute Is Settled

John Moffat. executive secretary OF
the Federal Council of Allied War
Charities, yesterday declared that in
event of failure TO come to an agree
ment with the Red Cross for the eX-
portation ana distribution of relief
supplies in Europe it is possible the
allied bodies may make their own
shipping arrangements and continue
their enterprises independent of the
Red Cross. Some council organizations
are reported to have already taken
steps toward such project.
Mr.. Motfat's statement followed
meeting at $50 Madison Avenue OF the
Federal Council. where the fruitless
conference of the day before with
Judge Robert s. Lovett and members
of the Committee on Cooperation Of
the Red Cross was held. He said the
Red Cross had agreed that money con-
tributed by the allied societies for
specific purpose would be employed for
that purpose.
Wanted to Control Goods
Mr. Moffat described this as a great
concession" on the part Of the Red
Cross. The Federal Council demanded
tie Red Cross also promise to dis
tribute goods-as well as funds-for
the purpose for which they were do
mated. This the Red Cross would not
promise. 1t seeks the right to deter
mine the purpose for which the goods
may be best applied. Both sides are
ademant.
"We have apparently reached dead
lock on that point" was Mr.. Moffats
comment.
Meantime, however, Judge Lovett was
in conference at his offices at l65
Broadway with representatives of the
American Fund for French Wounded,
one of the largest of the seventy-four
organizations comprising the council.
Having failed TO reach an agreement
with the council as a whole, he adopted
the eXpedient OF treating with the or
CARNATIONS separately.
Eve have about agreed" said Judge
IONtLl, sptdhlUS VI TIE OuICOIue Ol lNe
latest conference. "But be sure TO put
IT. the word about"
Judge Silent on Outcome
Judge Lovett was more reticent than
Mr.. Moffat regarding the issues which
still separate the Council and the Red
Cross. He said nothing could be given
out until the agreement, if such is at
-, - L., L. i
War Council in Washington. Judge
Lovett was shown Mr. Moffat's state
ment.
What is stated respecting the atti-
tude of the Red Cross toward gifts
made for designated purposes may be
misleading, though | am sure Mr.. Mof-
replied. "The Red Cross, think, has
as much regard for trust obligations
as anybody. II wouldn't think OF di-
verting gifts from a specific object
without the consent of the giyers.
Here is what Mr. Moffat mad to say
regarding war relief gifts:
"The Red Cross insisted on abso-
lutely controlling distribution In
Europe and upon the right to distribute
supplies to other objects than those for
which they were specifically given. In
the interests of efficiency it is pos
sible that such an arrangement is wise,
but, unfortunately, it would probably
be illegal TO divert goods in this man
ner, and the effect on the givers would
be such that collections in this coun-
try would be made extremely difficult,
if not impossible in some cases.
Expects Red Cross to Concur
American women will exert every
effort to send whatever is needed for
the men fighting in the American army,
but they would not be willing TO have
their contributions 60 70 the Armenians
or Syrians. for instance. 1t is the
same with the Italians and the British
living in this country.
at is to preserve the interest and
enthusiasm of individuals we arc con-
testing. and we have no doubt the Red
Cross ultimately will see the matter in
our light"
Mr.. Moffat corrected the report that
the Red Cross had declined 10 deal with
the Federal Council as a body. The
council, he said, would become a per-
manent organization and carry on its
work as before.