The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-10-08
HOW YOUR RED
CROSS Is SEEKING TO
AID THE FRENCH

ana DaDleS, the SICK anu aHllcLeQ--
and providing them with food, cloth
ing, shelter and medical attention.
BY maintaining the morale of the
soldiers families and, as q result
that of the armies in the field.
By helping in the fight against tu
berculosis.
And by reconstructing ruined cities
and villages reconQuered from the
foe.
This has been the most stupendous
task to which the American Red Cross
ever set its hand. Since the war
began and including appropriations
up to Jan. LIST, next, more than $42.
100000 will have been expended
among the civilian population in
France. (This sum does not include
any disbursement or appropriation
for military relief)
Refugee Relief and reconstruction
Of Devastated Areas.
On March LIST, 1917, before Ameri.
can participation in the war, there
were more than 100000 destitute ref.
ugees in France, made homeless by
the German campaigns of 1914 and
1916.
They have all been provided for
by the American Red Cross.
Up to December 31st, 1917, grants
of goods for refugees had been made
through Is organizations and % pre-
fects, mayors and other local officials.
74,372 articles of clothing, 257 lay
cites for children, over $4,000 yards
of cloth and dress making supplies,
sewing machines, etc., in addition to
food-tuffs and medical supplies were
distributed.
More than 20 departments Of
France were canvassed by Red Cross
workers-sanitary homes were pro-
vided for 1000 families almost i'm
mediately, either by renovating unoc.
cupied buildings, or completing un-
finished houses.
The retreat Of the Germans to the
so-called Hindenburg Line witnessed
the systematic destruction by the
Germans Of the cities and villages
evacuated.
Houses which remained standing
were roofless, windowless and all
furniture had been removed or de-
stroyed.
AS many of these houses were made
habitable as possible and homeless
! refugees were induced to return to
their former homes.
Seven villages were entirely recon
structed and accommodated an aver
| uSO pOpuluJiOl VI oUV.
nj the agricultural districts, nipple.
ments, seeds, building materials, etc.,
were supplied.
Up to July LIST, 1918, $5,557,75 was
expended in this work among the
refugees, retaining devastated areas
and in the reconstruction of villages.
The appropriation for the current six
months calls for disbursements of
$6,212, 2S0,7O for the care Of refugees
and $1,O94,912.2S for the rehabilita-
ton of villages.
Fighting tuberculosis
So severe had been the privations
Of war among the refugees of the bat
tie area that tuberculosis had gained
great Roadway. The fight against
this scourge began Immediately upon
the arrival of the Red Cross in
France. The disbursements up to
July LIST this year were $2,147, 1927 90
Seventy-six tuberculosis hospitals
have been completed.
acquisitions for goods have been
approved for SO provisional hospitals
containing 500 beds, all to be in op.
Grafton by Fall.
The appropriation for the current
six months is $685., 456.14.
Caring for Children
Up to July LIST, 1918, $1,149, 1897
had been disbursed in the care of
French children. The appropriation
for this fine and most satisfying of
all Red Cross work to January 15t
next in $2,775,S771s.
More than 100000 have been
reached by American Red Cross aid
through its hospitals and assistance
given to French societies.
Under the slogan visit every baby
in France, the Red Cross campaign
for 1918 has had three main objects
To increase nursing service in the
direction of child welfare work.