The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-10-27
Quick War Relief
Given by Red Cross
ShipWrecked american Citizens,
Wounded Poles, Refugees,
Repatriates Aided

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Cross moved quickly at the onset Of
hostilities in Europe to organize relief
for war sufferers and give aid to Ameri-
can citizens stranded in danger zones
or rescued from sea-warfare catas-
trophe.
Red Cross officials pointed out that
following contact Of German-Polish
forces on September /, the organiza-
ton made available medical relief for
civilians and armies Of Poland; pro-
vided aid for Americans repatriating
from Europe as they landed in the
United States ports; granted medical
and maintenance assistance to Ameri-
can survivors of the Athena" first
sea casualty Of the war; gave financial
aid to the American Hospital In Paris,
France; and developed comprehen-
sive communications system to allay
the fears of distraught relatives.
Norman H. Davis, chairman, cabled
the International Red Cross Committee
In Geneva on September 1 asking what
relief would be needed from the Ameri-
can Red Cross. In first step In con-
solidating Red Cross relief forces
throughout the nation, 1900 Red Cross
chapters were authorized to begin pro-
ducing refugee garments and to &C
cept contributions for war relief.
A quick response from the Polish
Red Cross to Chairman Davis cable to
the International Committee resulted
in an American Red Cross appropria-
ton Of $4,000 for the purchase Of AZ
items Of medicines, and for army
blankets and quantity Of large hos
pitai tents capable Of housing 90
streteher cases each.
A grant Of $4,000 was also made to
the American Hospital in Paris to
evacuate American patients from the
hospital and to purchase in the United
States a 100 bed hospital unit for ship
ment to the American organization, 1t
was said.
To meet needs which were thought
likely to result from bombardment of
rural villages and the passage Of hostile
armies, the Red Cross called upon 81
of it's large city chapters to roll sur.
gical dressings of special new type
for European warfare injuries. More
than 100000 yards Of gauze were pur-
chased and 10000 pounds Of cotton,
enough to make $4,000 surgical Dress
ings.
On September 2, the American Red
Cross announced 1t was organizing to
meet repatriating American citizens
at seaport cities through chapter re-
ception committees. Citizens without
resources were given temporary shell
ter, and aided to resettle in their former
homes or work.
Between September and z, the
American Red Cross cabled $4,000
through the State Department to help
American survivors Of the Athena"
who had been taken into Irish and
Scotch ports.
1.-THE Red Cross is not interested in
the origins Of the present conflict"
Chairman Davis declared following his
cabled offer Of assistance to the Inter-
national red Cross Committee. "As
part of the great international Red
Cross it Is our duty to do what we can
to aid the helpless civilians who will
suffer during the hostilities."
An inquiry and Information Service
was organized through which contact
would be made with relatives Of Ameri.
cans in the belligerent countries.
Red Cross chapters were instructed
to accept funds for the purchase Of
supplies for impartial distribution and
funds for purchase of supplies for q
designated country to be expended
through the Red Cross society Of that
nation.