New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Red Cross Moves
5000 Miles With
Czechs i'm Siberia
Difficulty in Keeping Apace
With Shifting Front Is
Described in Report by
Agent at Vladivostok
Ne,c York Tribune
W0shfn0tOn Bureau

WASHINGTON, March 30.-The ex-
traordinary difficulty Of keeping up
with the shifting front in Siberia dur
ing the successes of the Czecho-Slovak
troops, is described in report from
an American Red Cross representative
in Vladivostok received at Washington
Headquarters to-day. Distances are so
great that one achievement of the
Czecho-Slovaks under General Gaida
moved the front 5000 miles, or
about twice the distance from New
York to San Francisco, with one rail-
way line in poor condition as the only
means of transportation.
"The American Red Cross" said the
report, "hade established relief
front from Vladivostok to Buchedoo,
distance Of 800 miles, against which
the Czechs could lean with the as
surance of support. There was q hos
pital of $50 beds in Vladivostok, an
other of 80 beds in Harbn and still
another of $50 beds in Buchedoo.
There were supplies of various kinds
along the line, and two sanitary trains
In operation for the wounded.
"Then General Gaida and his VIC
torious army of 1000 suddenly emerged
out of the western wilderness, having
cut their way through the Trans Baika-
liza and dissolved the entire front, for
which the American Red Cross had pre-
pared.
at became necessary for the Red
Cross, as promptly as possible, TO ex-
tend its first line of relief to the Ural
Mountains. At that time the entire
Czecho-Slovak army of 10000 had but
fifteen doctors and nine nurses of their
own They were without drugs and
surgical equipment. The growing
American Red Cross organization in
Siberia met the new emergency to the
best of its ability, but found it neces-
sary to call on National Headquarters
in Washington for reinforcements to
the extent of twenty surgeons and sixty
nurses. These were dispatched to ST.
IBERIA from most convenient geograph-
icnl points as speedily as possible.
aside from its obligations to the
Czechs. the Red Cross found every
where in the vast released territory
conditions Of abject misery amcng the
civilian populhtons-re old mon,
women and children by the thousands
drfted into Siberia from tho valley Of
the volga. Urgent problems Of feed
ing, clothing and carihg for the sick
had to be met on d large scale. Tho
Red Cross then started series Of re.
lief trains into tho intorior-trains
laden with Wholesome food, clothing
and medical auppliaa Of tremendous
value TO tho hnIf starved and homeeHn
people
"With n second supply train, Dr.. r.
i. Teusler, chairman Of the Siberian
Commission of tho Red Cross, visited
Omsk and established there hospital
OF ], 900 beds for both Czecho Sovaks
and Russians, placing there staff of
five American doctors and ton nurses
"The greatest difficulty encountered
by the commission has been trans
portation, although 1t Is carrying on
its humanitarian activity to-day on a
we'll organized basis. The great prob
lem is getting relief stores moved
Despite this handicap, chain Of Amer
ican Red Cross hospitals now stretches
across Siberia into European Russia,
being located in Vladivostok, Harbin,
Buchedoo, Omsk, Tieumen, Cheliabnks
and Petropavlask."