The Robesonian., 1918-03-14
GREAT RELIEF
WORK BY AMERI-
CAN RED CROSS
Report Being Prepared Which
Summarizes Stupendous Acti-
vities in France-Organization
Working Effectively in 4 Great
Fio1ds

Fields.
A correspondent Of the Associated
Press sends the following from Paris
under date of March 8:
The American Red Cross has won
unqualified approval Of the American
military authorities by its stupendous
activities in France Some Of the
facts concerning the achievements of
the American workers already have
been made public, but the officials now
are preparing a comprehensive sur
very OF the work, by summarizing and
compiling all the data.
The report will show that the Or
ganzatlon is operating with ever-in-
creaslng effectiveness and scope in
tour great fields. It is engaged in
military work; in civil work; it oper-
ates a huge transportation and ware
house department; and it is doing
more work with Belgian refugees and
repatriated children.
department of the organization the
report will show the following acti-
vities:
Twenty dispensaries are being op-
Grated in the American army zone to
care for the resident civilians and to
improve health conditions before more
troops arrive.
A total Of 3,423 French military
hospitals are being supplied by the
distributing service, which is also
laying large stock for future needs;
while 1000 French hospitals are be-
ing supplied with surgical dressings,
and immense supplies are being stor-
ed up for the use of the Americans.
| Twelve canteens are being operated
| at the front line in connection with
the French Red Cross, and 20 more
are planned.
Six canteens, serving about 10000
! French soldiers daily, are being oper-
ated at the larger railroad centers
Of France.
Sixteen further canteens are being
operated in Paris in connection with
the French and are serving enormous
numbers Of soldiers.
An artificial limb factory has been
installed near Paris, as we'll as spe-
cial plants for the manufacture of
splints and nitrous oxide gas.
A casualty service for gathering
information about the dead and
wounded, and a medical research bu-
reau, have been established.
| A large canteen for American SOL
diers has been inaugurated at the
largest of the American aviation 4
camps. At other camps the Red Cross
has supplied the canteen buildings for
the Y. M. c. A. to operate.
The work Of the civil department is
devoted chiefly to refugee and tuber-
culosis problems. In this field the
Red Cross has accomplished the fol-
| lowing results:
i Opened children's refuge and hos
pital at a point in the war zone where
several hundred children have been
gathered to keep them out OF danger
of shellfire and gas.
Established a medical center and a
travelling dispensary to accommodate
1900 children at a point among the
wrecked villages.
Undertaken extensive medical work
for the repatriated children at Evian,
about 500 of whom return daily from
Germany.
L Opened hospital and convalescont
home for children at Evian, where an
extensive ambulance service is also op-
Grated.
Taken over, carried on and develop
ed the extensive tuberculosis
work begun by Mrs. Edith Wharton
and other Americans
! Completed for the French an unfin-
ished tuberculosis sanatorium near
Paris, adding 1000 beds to the num-
ber already available in the barracks.
Arranged on a large scale to help
refugee families throughout the win
ter with clothing, beds and shelter.
For this purpose the entire devastated
district of France has been divided
into six divisions with resident Red
Cross delegate in each. Warehouses
have been established at four points
to which are shipped food, clothing.
bedding, beds, household utensils and
agricultural implements.
Begun repair work in four villages
in the devastated regions to enable
returned families to stay throughout
the winter.
Provided barracks to assist in the
work Of training disabled soldiers te
which will be added agricultural ex'
pertinent stations.
The transportation and warehouse
departments activities include:
The establishment Of large centra
warehouses in Paris, and distributing
warehouses at important points lIolI
the ocean to the Swiss border. II
these warehouses are stored hospita
supplies food, soldiers comforts, to-
bacco, blankets and household goods
kitchen utensils, clothing, beds ane
other articles Of relief.
The department is receiving sever.
al hundred tons of supplies daily, ane
is reshipping about Is per cent. Of
them to points nearer the front.
The warehouse capacity Of the de
!. partment exceeds 100, 900 tons, and ths
personnel of nearly 200 consists large
ly of volunteer Americans not liable
to military duty.
| The transportation department ha!
personnel of several hundred, ha: