East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-07-23

with the doctor and nurses from Nesls,
The relief STAFF from Ham, Nesle, ana
| Grecourt, with the Society Of Friends,
was In Montdidier. A small stock Of
supplies, hastily sent from Noyon was
at Lassigny. Noyon itself had come
under the guns and was in the centre
of feverlsh activity. Here, as every
where else, passenger-cars and motor
trucks were evac1atlng civilians and
their goods under the general direc-
tion of British officers and the French
Sous-Prefet of the Department of the
Oise. Between the third and fourth
days of the battle, Montdldier, Las
signy and Noyon had to be evacuated,
and on the fifth day Amlens came
within range of the guns and more
than fifty thousand people left the city
and poured out on TO the roads.
The American Red Cross during this
time had served civilians chiefly, al
though mare than one of its trucks,
with mattresses placed at the bottom
to prevent too much jolting. had gone
back and forth, time and again, haul
ing out wounded Tommles and wound
ed Americans. A portable kitchen, In
stalled on the exact spot at Compiegne
where Joan Of Arc was captured. pro-
vided tea, coffee and other refresh
ments to ten thousand soldiers and
civilians daily. At the Red Cross
headquarters chocolate, figs and meat
were served to hungry soldiers on pass
ing conveys.
A temporary infirmary was installed
In, h.tfF ne he raNT nNo ne
Compiegne to take care OF persons
wounded by bombs and other cases OF
wounded men, soldiers or civilians,
while they were waiting to be sent to
regular hospital. Four American
doctors remained at their post until
the last patient had been removed.
Then, with assistance, in conjunction
with the French, they established an
other hospital In a secure place. In
two days this hospital contained two
hundred and fifty beds and all neces-
sary equipment.
More than once a camion brought In
its last load of helpless old people
from a village where the advancing
columns were so near that shots from
the machine guns were already patter-
ing in the deserted streets. At Mort
milk was supplied on an hours notice
to four hundred people who had been
without food for six hours.
The American Red Cross at Annel
was evacuated with the aid Of the hos
Dital barge. and its patients were TAX
en- to a place of safety. The DAILY
Unit, working under the Service da
Sante of the French Army, evacuated
Its patients from a hospital near Com
Dlegne aud then offered It's personnel
FOR soldier canteen service. At Besu-
vnls a refugee hospital was opened Inn
with American doctors In
charge. Lodgings we're provided for.
,evernl hundred fugitIves. and the in
,essant land ferry service. which had
,een =inaugurated at Croix-M MolIeuaux
IN the first day of the battle ws6 con-
inued In the west.
Little Lost by Red cross.
The Red Cross stores at Ham. Neshe
md Lasslgny had been lavlshly used
or the benefit of British and French
rOops. When the warehouses were
Inally given up there remained IN
hem'only few heavy things, such as
toves, that could not be carried on or
sed on the spot, and some small
tocks OF civilian clothing In dollars
nd cents, or In pounds and tons. the
.mericaB Red Cross lost little In Its
In closing his report .he chief Of the
'ureau OF Reconstruction aud Relief,
citing Field Commander OF the Ameri.
nm Red Cross in the War Zone, whose
'ork of nine months had been swept
way, said with absolute confidence
nd optimism:
''rhe same old needs OF shelter, food,
othlng, tools. medicines. and the
-iendly fellowship which have been
le blood and bone OF our work IN the
devastated lleginns-these remain.
he voice OF America has been heard
! France. Il is being heard moe
'uhly and more clearly every day. Il
ust be heard until we win the vie
'ry. and along with the voices Of ths
shtlng men the voices OF the builders
ust be heard-ihe men Of the plouEe
ld pruning hook and saw and han
er and lathe side by side with us
en- Of the sword"