Evening star., 1941-05-18

had never visited the country until
81 felt that 1 was going home,
she said. Il knew most Of the places
I visited from reading and studying
maps, but it was more wonderful
than 7 had anticipated. And its de-
velopment has just begun"
1t seems add that Miss Graves,
whose speciality is Alaskan affairs,
should have begun her professional
career in another part Of the hemi-
sphere through association with the
famous Clara Barton, founder OF
the American Red Cross.
She recalls with amusement the
attitude Of her friends in Alex
andria, her birthplace, when she an
nounced her intention back in the
eos" of taking job. She said she
was asked. Cant your father sup
port you?"
Miss Graves was considered lucky
however, by some of the more adven-
turous girls of that day when she
became Miss Barton's secretary.
Was Forbidden to Go
BY English Foreign Office.
when I first went to Miss Barton
they were having a lot of trouble
in Armenia" Miss Graves recalled
Miss Barton decided to go and take
me with her. We sailed for England
accompanied by one other woman
interested in Red Cross work, bu
when we reached London, the for
eign Office would not permit me Il
continue with Miss Barton"
Miss Graves returned to tht
United States. she said. to avail
Miss Barton's return, and her boss
had only been home short tint
when trouble started in Cuba. Sht
explained that shortly before thu
outbreak of the Spanish American
War, hundreds of Cubans, who hac
revolted against the Spanish regime
had been placed in concentration
camps where there was great suffer
ing and lack of food.
There was starvation and illness,
she said. "and Miss Barton planned
a relief expedition. She leased
ship to carry food and clothing anc
we were to meet 1t in Key West
Before We could sail, however, thu
war had broken out"
Miss Graves told how Miss Bsrtor
decided to follow the American fee
after it had sailed secretly for Cubar
waters and told the captain. Wei
hoist anchor and go and find th'
fleet
According to Miss Graves, they
found the fleet, but it was at dis
tance. engaged in battle with tht
Spanish feet.
Describes Suffering After
Battle of Santiago.
The Red Cross relief ship cam,
into its own" Miss Graves said
after the battle of Santiago. whel
its supplies of medicines and food
were welcomed for the American
wounded.
when We entered Santiago. !
was indescribable." she recalled. "I
was filled with starving. sick people
and the dead and dying were every
where"
Miss Graves told how for man,
weeks Miss Barton and her staff o
doctors and nurses remained il
Cuba. nursing the wounded ant
forming committees to carry on aftel
they had left.
Upon her return from the tropics
Miss Graves recalled the countr,
was discussing the Klondike golC
rush. 1t never occurred to her thel
that a few years later she would bt
engaged in work with the Alaskan
branch of the Interior Department
where she has remained ever since
Miss Graves remained with Clar;
Barton until the latter retired from
active service with the Red Gross
She then obtained a position with
the Smithsonian Institution. bein,
transferred later to the Interior De
partment.
Asked what she will do when sh,
retires, she replied, Il don't know
but I shall probably continue Il
travel. I will find something usefu
to do as don't ever want to lose m,
usefulness"
Miss Graves, who was the frs
president of the Business and Pro
fessional Womens Club of Alex
andria and a past matron of tn,
Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary
plans to remain active in club work
Il may also take up animal rescu,
work." she added. There is alWay
need for help there"
Y. w. 6. A. Official Here