Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-20
HERCULEAN TASK
FOR RED CROSS
American Society Undertakes to
Care for 100000
Refugees.
PROVIDE FOOD AND HOMES
Wonderful Work Accomplished
by Association Among
Helpless of Italy.
PROVIDE FOOD AND HOMES
BY ERNEST p. ORR.

PARIS, January 19.-Thanks to the
Cross. 100000 refugees from the Italian
invaded zones have been provided with
food. shelter and clothing: two ambu-
lance sections have already arrived be =
hind the front and third is on its
way. while two more arc being or
sanized IN Paris with all possible
speed; American doctors are pouring
into Italy; base and field hospitals have
been established and within six weeks
after the Austro-Germans broke
through the front the whole Italian
nation had received an overwhelming
demonstration OF the most profound
sympathy and cooperation of the
United States.
Major Grayson N. p. Murphy, in
charge of the Red Cross work on this
side. has just returned from the scene
OF activities with an account of the
work accomplished in stricken Italy to
which. without any preliminary or
ganization. food. money. clothing, hos
pital supplies and workers had TO be
rushed on the double quick to aid the
suffering population OF the Venetian
plains.
The condition OF che sufferers, driven
from their homes in many instances
at less than two hours notice. with no
means of transporting any OF their
| household effects, forced TO fee at top
speed to avoid capture by tho Austro-
German cavalry and armed motor cars
was pit!ful in the extreme. Exposure
hunger and lack OF sanitary arrange
ncnts threatened to create a serious
outbreak Of disease. Coupled with the
state OF disarray and confusion into
which the whole country has been
thrown by the suddenness OF the on
slaught, the Red Cross had Hcrculean
task to accomplish In the face OF fright
full odds.
1t began by establishing relief bases
all along the line OF retreat AS fast
as they arrived hundreds OF thousands
ofswomen, children and old men were
shfppEd "a 'rc'eHtfSf and Southern Italy
and some even as far south as Sicily
| and Sardinia. The Italian government,
co-operated In every possible way. de-
failing as many men as It could spare
from the fighting forces to aid in the
work OF getting tbs women and chill
deering transports where II was pos
sible and sending aid in the shape Of
cash without any red tape. The lines
OF interior communication that were
not damned as were the northern routes
were placed at the disposal OF the
Americans and the trainloads OF refu-
gees given the right OF way.
After the emergency bases came
emergency hospitals; huge field kit
chens were set up. dispensaries opened
that were free to all Corners. and. as
soon as the supplies began to arrive
from France, great warehouses were
opened where clothing was dealt out
to the needy. Within two weeks hos
pitfalls and bases had been established
in every important city in Italy, homes
for the dependent had been opened and
the work organized along the most sci
entifc lines. Signorina Garibaldi. a
direct descendant OF the great liberator,
threw open the doors OF her home in
Rome 10 90 of the poor people from
the north while Americans all over
Italy volunteered to receive as many
charges as they could find room for.
The city OF Rome appropriated on it's
own account 100000 lire for relief
work