The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-28
RED CROSS DENIES
IMPAIRED SERVICE
Wounded Soldiers and Moving
Troops Well Cared For,
Report Says.
WITHDRAWAL PLAN TOLD
Readjustment Of Activities in
Europe Approved by
Pershing.

The partial withdrawal of the Amerl-
can Red Cross from activities in Europe
has not impaired the necessary service
for wounded and moving troops. It was
stated in a cablegram received yesterday
from Lieut.-Col. George II. Burr, Red
Cross Commissioner to France. Com
munication canteens will continue in op-
GRAFTON until the American forces are so
reduced that they will no longer be re-
quired. and home service work among
Americans and the repatriated people of
France and Belgium is going forward as
usual.
Lieut-Col. Burr said that on May 10
tho Red Cross suspended all canteens
run for the exclusive benefit OF officers
and gave up participation in all officers
clubs and hotels except for the officers
hotel In Paris which will operate until
the end OF June, and other clubs on
which the lease has still a few months
to run. The organization has with
drawn entirely from eleven hospitals,
but will continue at others as long as
there Is need.
Answer to Criticism.
The message was sent in answer to
criticisms of an announcement that Red
Cross work was being rapidly cut down.
II said that the readjustment of activ-
tiles has been approved by Gen. Pershing
as far as the military aspect IL con-
cerned, and that the American Red Cross
will remain in France to continue relief
work until the end of the necessity.
In Paris. aside from the Officers Hotel.
the Red Cross Is operating seven hotels
for enlisted men on leave and six can
In n ri x,ill ha
tinued as long as warranted by the
volume Of troop movements and fur
loughs. The Students Club, maintained
for A. e. #. men at the Sorbonne, will
'Sbe operated until the lease expires on
June 30 unless the university cohrses
are completed before that date.
The photographing or graves is to be
completed, but wherever possible OPP
erations are being contracted and with
drawn. This IL done, however. with full
consideration Of the responsibility for
care OF wounded and sick Since May
10 one American Red Cross worker has
heen left with each combat division for
personal search, home service and home
communication work. The distribution
Of miscellaneous supplies has been
somewhat checked.
Statement by Burr.
Lleut--Col. Burr made this state
ment:
For the relief Of suffering and desti-
tuition existing In various parts of Eu-
rope the American Red Cross Is read
Justing its organization 30 that the main
effort in Europe will be concentrated In
Its primary capacity as a relief organiza-
ton. Based upon present Indications
that great numbers of American troops
will be removed from France more rap
idly than was expected. the American
Red Cross Is taking steps toward elm
mating activities that will no longer be
required.
The services rendered the A. e. F.
during hostilities and Immediately at
terward which were then warranted as
relief operations, are now being con-
s!dered as no longer essential under
peace conditions. Both of these cir
cumstances are factors in the pro-
gramme that Is being carried for the
gradual but effective elimination of
certain American Red Cross services
Although many activities OF depart
ments and bureaus OF the organizations
have been discontinued. the American
ReT Cross Is continuing home service for
the American soldier and his family,
and relief work for the civilian popu-
lation in devastated areas OF France
and Belgium.
While constantly adapting it's pro-
gramme to rapidly changing conditions
the American Red Cross will have in
view at all times its obligations to the
American soldiers and to the French
ami Belgian civilians"