Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-09
RED CROSS WORK
SURPRISED ITALY
American Relief in Ten
Months Has Brought In
estimable Benefit
IMMEDIATE HELP SENT
Organization Has Spent Mil.
lions Assisting People in
Last Ten Months
Special Cable to Epening Public Ledger

Special Gable to Euening Public Ledge,
Copvri0ht, 1913. by Nc,c York Times Co.
Rome. Aug. 9.
Ten months ago italy sent forth her
S. o. S. call The bulwark against which
! for twenty-nine months the enemy flood
beat in vain, suddenly, unexpectedly
and almost mysteriously had given way
The flood gates were teacherously open
ed and the enemy tide was rushing
through. 1t was the first time that the
solidarity on the Allied front was put
to the supreme test.
France and England poured their
troops into Italy. Americas striking
arm was not yet long enough to reach
to the Piave
1t Is gratifying and significant that
America first appeared to Italy, as to
France and Belgium, as the healer and
consoler before undertaking to be the
avenger. Figures showing the actual
extent of American relief are interest
ing. but 1t Is impossible to convey by
statistics the even more important re-
suits following the advent of the Amer
leans in Red Cross uniform in Italy.
These results are measured only by the
present universal brotherhood. and the
sincere good will for all Americans
throughout Italy
Chronologcally the American Red
Cross began work with the visit Of the
commission headed by George f. Baker,
Jr., in the summer of 1917, who recon-
mended a permanent organization here
but the real work started at the most
tragic moment when the country was
invaded by refugees, escaping from the
Austrian occupation.
Pestilence Kept Away
Local committees for relief did
miracles together with the courageous
volunteers and the able government and
municipal authorities 1t is a tribute to
their work that the death roll was not
large and that disease and pestilence
We're kept away
Under these terrible conditions Ambas-
sador Page asked Major GraSson NJ.
Murphy to send aid quickly. Thus the
emergency commission was dispatched
to Italy headed by Major Carey Tay-
lor, assisted by Major Brenan l.. Prentice,
who expended 100000 lire S2,200,-
0O0) for immediate relief. besides buying
many supplies from France and America.
placing orders for 100000 lire (s600.-
O00) of supplies in Italy. and opening
warehouses at central points, each with
a distribution capacity Of $1,000 tons.
Seven weeks later came the perma-
nent commission headed by Robert Per-
kins. It's work has been growing in the
six months following on an unprecedent-
ed scale. There are thirty kitchens,
serving $4,000 people: forty-three work
rooms, employing over 5000 women VINO
are producing about $4,000 garments
monthly; eighty-two nurseries caring
for over 1900 children; nineteen
health centers containing S046 children :
eighteen childrens homes and summer
colonies where sickly children are
restored to health and strength in the
mountains or at the seaside, containing
over 1000 children, constantly shifting
as each regains it's health; twelve adult
health centers containing over 500 people
and fourteen workshops employing about
400 persons who are making shoes, car
pentering, etc.
Money Gifts To Needy
There is another form Of relief, and
It consists of distribution of money gifts,
which. in the month of April reached
the exceptional sum of over 100000
lire ($l,2UU,OuUD granted especially u
the needy families of soldiers, as mate
rial evidence that America is giving her
full resources and is heart and soul in
the struggle.
This distribution was made by repre-
sentatives of the American Red Cross
Motoring day and night they covered the
whole of Italy in three weeks, visiting
over 1000 towns and villages. and aid
ing $4,000 families while $500 of these
families. especially deserving, receive
monthly small donations.
All the work Is conducted under the
supervision Of the Americans. many be-
ing volunteers, working as they never
have worked before. Here, close to
where men are giving. their lives for the
cause of the freedom of the world. comes
the realization that every minute counts /;
! that every second Is precious. and that
every effort contributes to final success.