The Washington herald., 1917-09-08
RUSS WELCOME
RED CROSS AID
Party from United States
Gets Royal Reception
In Petrograd.

A letter just received at RED Cross
headquarters gives an interesting ac-
count of the arrival of the Red Cross
mission to Russia at Viadiyostok, and
its journey In the imperial train across
Siberia to Petrograd. Everywhere en-
route the passing OF the Americans
was greeted with enthusiasm and ex-
pressions of gratitude.
1.-THE party arrived at vladivostok
ON the morning of July 26," says the
letter. "As soon as the ship docked
1t was boarded by a large group of
officials and military personages who
made their way to DR.. Billings, head
Of our commission, TO offer a well
come to Russian soil There were
present the head of the provisional
government. the mayor OF the city,
the military commander, the military
medical officer, the officer of the part,
and representatives, OF the national and
local Red Cross.
''Dr. Billings words fell with graf
flying effect upon his hearers when ne
responded to the enthusiastic welcome
Land In tlH0tNOstOk. v
"The landing at vladlvostok was
made about noon. Then ensued ten
hours of hard work incident to the
landing of a large party and a con-
siderable cargo from ship TO shore and
thence TO train. This work was greatly
facilitated by the American Consul
Mr.. Caldwell, and his assistants. The
Russian Red Cross sent Col. George
Landon to have charge of the tram.
It was the train which had brought
Mr.. Root and the members of his
commission back from Petrograd only
few days before. The minister OF
communications sent as his repre-
sentative, Gen. Vibold Ertel, who had
been with the Root mission through
out its travels, and we were also pro
vided with the interpreters who had
served the Root mission.
at was a hot afternoon and evening
in Vladivostok. There were cables TO
be answered and hundreds of details
to attend to before we could proceed
westward. Finally at 9:i5 o'clock that
night the imperial train departed fer
Petrograd bearing our party.
Throughout the journey through the
noble landscapes of Manchuria and ST.
IBERIA at every stop the greatest in
terest was shown by the people. The
train was decorated with a large pla-
card bearing the Red Cross emblem
and the following inscription in Rus
sian: American Red Cross Mission to
Russia. Hospital Supplies As the
train left each station it was roundly
chered, and at Harbln there was
great demonstration.
Supplies from Japan.
''The train consists of nine cars, four
OF which are laden with supplies and
baggage. The stock of serums ana
medicine brought from Chicago and
New York was amplified by large
purchase of vaccines and other ma
terials at Yokohama. One box con-
tains enough cholera serum to iTnnu-
hize 10000 persons.
Everywhere the mission has gone
II has been received with open arms.
Much light has already been obtained
as to the medical needs Of the Rus
sian people, and these facts are being
promptly communicated TO the Red
Cross war council in Washington
Though written on July q, the let
ter has just arrived in Washington. 1t
Travelled by courier from Siberia to
Pekin, and from there by diplomatic
pouch. finally reaching destination by
the Pacific route.