The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 4, October 1909)

The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 4)

Vol. IV. OCTOBER, 1909. No. 4.

American Red Cross Bulletin

National Headquarters Washington D C

Yearly Subscription, 50 cents. Single Copy, 15 cents. (Issued Quarterly.)

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The American Red Cross

Officers

_President_, HON. WILLIAM H. TAFT.

_Vice-President_, ROBERT W. de FOREST.

_Secretary_, CHARLES L. MAGEE.

_Treasurer_, HON. CHAS. D. NORTON.

_Counselor_, HON. LLOYD W. BOWERS.

_Chairman of Central Committee_, MAJOR-GENERAL GEO. W. DAVIS, U. S. A. (Ret.)

_National Director_, ERNEST P. BICKNELL.

Board of Consultation

BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE H. TORNEY, Surgeon-General, U. S. Army.

REAR ADMIRAL PRESLEY M. RIXEY, Surgeon-General, U. S. Navy.

SURGEON-GENERAL WALTER WYMAN, U. S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service.

Central Committee 1908-1909

Major-General GEORGE W. DAVIS, U. S. A. (ret.), _Chairman_.

Brigadier-General GEORGE H. TORNEY, Surgeon-General, U. S. Army, War Department, Washington, D. C.

Hon. HUNTINGTON WILSON, Assistant Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, D. C.

Hon. CHARLES D. NORTON, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, U. S. Treasury Dept., Washington, D. C.

Medical Director JOHN C. WISE, U. S. N., Navy Department, Washington, D. C.

Hon. LLOYD W. BOWERS, Solicitor-General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.

President BENJAMIN IDE WHEELER, University of California.

Mr. JOHN M. GLENN, 105 East 22d street, New York, N. Y.

Miss MABEL T. BOARDMAN, Washington, D. C.

Hon. JAMES R. GARFIELD.

Hon. A. C. KAUFMAN, Charleston, S. C.

Hon. H. KIRKE PORTER, 1600 I street, Washington, D. C.

General CHARLES BIRD, U. S. A., Wilmington, Del.

Col. WILLIAM CARY SANGER, Sangerfield, N. Y.

Judge LAMBERT TREE, 70 La Salle street, Chicago, Ill.

Hon. JAMES TANNER, Washington, D. C.

Mr. W. W. FARNAM, New Haven, Conn.

One vacancy.

[Illustration: CONTENTS]

Page

Table of Contents 1

Red Cross Officers 2

View of Armenian Quarter, Adana 3

Preface 4

Turko-Armenian Relief. _Illustrated._ 8 By G. Bie Ravndal.

Italian Earthquake Relief. _Illustrated._ 45

Portuguese Earthquake Relief 61

Canal Zone Red Cross. _Illustrated._ 62 By Major C. A. Devol, U. S. A.

Use and Abuse of the Red Cross Brassard 66 By G. H. Richardson, M. D.

Repression of the Abuse of the Red Cross Insignia 67

The Story of the Red Cross 69

Tuberculosis Department. _Illustrated._ 71 1. Christmas Stamps. 2. District of Columbia. 3. Indiana. 4. New York. 5. New Hampshire.

Red Cross Nurses’ Department 81

First Aid Department. _Illustrated._ 84 1. California. 2. Illinois. 3. New York. 4. Pennsylvania. 5. Germany. 6. Great Britain.

Notes. _Illustrated._ 99

List of Red Cross Branches 3d page of cover

Entered at the Post Office, Washington, D. C., as second-class matter.

[Illustration: DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN QUARTER IN ADANA]

[Illustration: WILLIAM H. TAFT.]

Preface

With the October number of 1909 the RED CROSS BULLETIN brings its fourth volume to a close. Those who recall the dry little report which constituted the first BULLETIN, issued in January, 1906, will find a strong proof of the growth of the American Red Cross by contrasting the former with the BULLETINS issued during the last year. The Red Cross is fast becoming a very vital force throughout the world, a force that is bringing the nations closer together in the bonds of human sympathy, brotherhood, and peace.

During 1909 our people, by means of the American Red Cross, have been able to express their sympathy and give their help to thousands of their fellowmen who have suffered from earthquakes in Italy and Portugal, from massacres in Turkey, and, just as this BULLETIN goes to press, from floods in Mexico. In San Francisco the Relief Home and the thousands of little cottages built after the fire are monuments beside the Golden Gate to our Red Cross. Again, in sunny Italy the American Red Cross Orphanage and hundreds of little cottages are witnesses of its zeal and its sympathy. A picture in this BULLETIN shows some of the cottages it has helped to build in Portugal, and the Red Cross Day Camps that are beginning to dot the country over show its unforgetfulness of those who are victims of the “Great White Plague.” The transport that carried to China the generous cargo of food supplies provided by the _Christian Herald_ floated the Red Cross flag; the relief ship _Bayern_, sent out by the American Relief Committee in Rome under the American Red Cross flew again that wonderful emblem, and from Beirut comes the news that the steamer on which our Red Cross committee there shipped relief supplies to the sufferers from the Armenian massacres sailed under the Red Cross flag. The ferryboat given by Miss Mary Harriman to the Brooklyn Red Cross for its tuberculosis work is another ship in what has been called “The Red Cross Navy.” So the water as well as the land has seen the beneficence of its labors.

[Illustration: ROBERT W. DE FOREST.

Copyright, Harris-Ewing, ’08.]

Our American Red Cross has suffered a serious loss in the death of Mr. John C. Pegram, of Providence, Rhode Island. Due to the interest and energy of Mr. Pegram, Rhode Island founded the first State Branch of the Red Cross after its reorganization in 1905. From this time until his death Mr. Pegram was its President, and he has also been a most faithful and valuable member of the National Central Committee.

We regret that the new plans for a reorganization in regard to State Branches are not yet in such shape as to be presented in this BULLETIN. Experience has shown the difficulty of maintaining efficient State Branches under present regulations. Our States are generally too large for the officers and members of Committees of a State Branch to hold frequent meetings, and in many cases it is not wise to concentrate all officers and members of State Committees in one city. The new plans leads to the creation of skeleton State Branches, to act only in case of disasters. The local, county, city, or town chapters will be brought directly in contact with the National Headquarters at Washington. In case of disaster in a State, it has been the custom of the Governor of the State to take prompt action for relief measures. For this reason it is probable that the Governors of States will be asked to act as Presidents of their respective State Branches. In appealing to the President of the United States for assistance, as has been the custom when the calamity has been of such magnitude that it was not possible for the State to render all the aid required, the Governor will appeal to the President of the American Red Cross, so the stricken community will be assured of assistance from the Government and also from the great national organization of the Red Cross. The new plans will soon be formulated and sent to all State officers of our Branches.

[Illustration: MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE W. DAVIS

Copyright, Clinedinst, ’08.]

Arrangements for First Aid Courses on a large scale are fast developing. In October, under the Red Cross’ auspices, will be held a competition in First Aid among a number of Miners’ First Aid Corps from different mines in Pennsylvania. A prize, to be won three times, will be awarded, and bronze medals to the individual members of the winning team. Plans for the Nursing Department will receive much consideration. The new Christmas stamp for the tuberculosis work we trust will prove even more successful than that of last year, and so our Red Cross sees the future looming large and vigorous before it.

[Illustration: HON. CHARLES D. NORTON]

If, having proved to our people and to the world at large the use and value of our American Red Cross, we can now raise our Endowment Fund to a million dollars, so that by its income we may be always ready to render First Aid when great national or international disasters occur without having to wait for contributions to come in, and so that we may continue and carry on measures of teaching the hundreds of thousands of our men and women engaged in manufacturing, in mining, in railroading, etc., to be prepared to help themselves and each other in cases of the innumerable accidents of every day life, our Red Cross will take its place among the greatest, most efficient, and most blessed forces not only of our own country but of the world itself.

Turko-Armenian Relief

American Red Cross Beirut Relief Committee.

By G. BIE RAVNDAL, American Consul-General, Chairman.

BEIRUT, SYRIA, June 5, 1909.

Your Committee desires to express its profound appreciation of its recognition by the American National Red Cross as the latter’s authorized agents in the matter of extending relief to the sick and destitute of Asia Minor and Syria in consequence of recent bloody disorders.

Such recognition strengthened our appeals for aid. It implied a thorough audit of accounts, and also that distribution to the needy would be made, irrespective of race or creed.

As Americans we have wished that credit for whatever we might be able to accomplish along the lines of alleviating suffering and destitution should be given to the American National Red Cross. For this reason, as well as for purposes of protection, we have displayed the Red Cross flag in the field as well as at our headquarters in Beirut, and we have also marked supplies as shipped by us to various local relief agents with the Red Cross insignia.

Commercially and otherwise, the stricken districts form part of Beirut’s tributary territory. This city, therefore, is especially suitable as a point of distribution of relief supplies in the present emergency. Your Committee, accordingly, was able to and did reach Adana and other afflicted points before any other relief agency. As soon as other instrumentalities had been provided for the Adana region, your Committee concentrated its efforts upon the less favored districts of Alexandretta, Latakia, Kessab, Antioch, and Marash.

We take pleasure in inclosing herewith a synopsis of the report of Prof. Harry Gaylord Dorman, M. D., of Beirut, who, while there, was called upon to superintend the entire medical relief work. Some of Dr. Dorman’s photographs show the Red Cross well to the front in Adana. We are grateful to the authorities of the Syrian Protestant College for granting Dr. Dorman the leave of absence required for the purpose indicated.

Inclosed financial statements, prepared by E. G. Freyer, Esq., our Secretary and Treasurer, who, as the executive member of your Committee, has displayed the most commendable zeal and tireless activity, explains the Committee’s operations up to the present time. Fuller accounts of the manner in which our cash remittances to Alexandretta, Marash, and Antioch were used will accompany our final and detailed settlement with the American National Red Cross. In every instance we have availed ourselves of the services of American, British, and German missionaries in the field, individually known to and fully trusted by your Committee, as distributing agents. Most of them “went through” the massacres of 1895, and thus acquired experience in relief work. Among such field agents we would especially mention Rev. Chambers, at Adana; Rev. Dodds, at Mersine; Rev. Kennedy, at Alexandretta; Dr. Balph, at Latakia; Rev. Maccallum, at Marash, and Rev. Trowbridge, at large, as having rendered valuable assistance.

While this is only the American Relief Committee at work, we are fully aware of the important services rendered by the International Committee at Adana, of which the British Vice-Consul, Major Doughty-Wylie, is chairman; Rev. W. N. Chambers (American), Secretary, and the Imperial Ottoman Bank (French), Treasurer. The latest letter received from Rev. Mr. Chambers, of Adana, shows that the relief work at that point still remains at its initial stage (feeding the hungry and nursing the wounded), and that fresh relief measures are imperatively required.

Rev. T. D. Christie, D. D., President of St. Paul’s College Institute (American), at Tarsus, under the date of May 29, 1909, indorses an “Appeal for Help to Cilicia,” issued by an Armenian Bishop, in the following language:

[Illustration: RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, BEIRUT.]

“The above is not mere rhetoric; it understates rather than overstates the case. The needy refugees in these two Provinces of Adana and Aleppo now number about seventy thousand; the value of the property looted or destroyed is fifty million dollars. I trust there will be a generous response to this cry for help. Something is already being done, for which the men and women on the ground are most grateful; but much more must be done if disaster is to be averted.”

Your Committee is not prepared to confirm any specific estimate of the number of destitute refugees. While in some places the devastation is complete, in other places the crops are left and may yet be saved. We do know, however, that the general situation in the stricken belt is extremely pitiable, and that we are perfectly justified in calling upon the American public for further help.

[Illustration: A SHIPMENT OF SUPPLIES LEAVING RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS AT BEIRUT FOR LATAKIA.]

In the case of Kessab, we have supplied some mechanic’s tools and agricultural implements as the best means of obviating the necessity of issuing rations indefinitely. This policy will be pursued in other villages which were looted and destroyed, and where the inhabitants are utterly destitute. Photographs show the steamer which carried our fairly large shipment for Kessab, and boxes composing the shipment. The steamer (Italian) flew the Red Cross flag in honor of the occasion.

Your Committee is deeply grateful for the opportunity of doing this kind of work under the inspiring auspices of the American National Red Cross, and would assure you that we constantly have in mind performing our task in such a manner as not to lower the high standard of efficiency and fidelity to duty set by your noble organization.

_Supplementary Report of July 15._

In continuation of my report of June 14, 1909, I have the honor to submit the following further observations:

To begin with, the most pressing need called for food and medical aid. We, therefore, sent doctors and nurses and medical supplies to Adana and provisions, or cash wherewith to buy food, to various stricken centers, such as Adana, Tarsus, Alexandretta, Kessab, Antioch, and Marash. Kessab we also supplied with implements and tools of various kinds, as the village was utterly looted before being destroyed, and practically nothing but ruins was left of it. At Aintab and Beirut we have provided clothing, shoes, and bedding for some destitute orphans.

[Illustration: RED CROSS SUPPLIES, INCLUDING PLOWS, PICKS AND OTHER TOOLS, BEING TAKEN TO THE STEAMER SAILING FOR KESSAB.]

Fortunately, in many districts the crops were saved. The food problem, except at certain points, including Kessab, which is not an agricultural village, will therefore be deprived of its worst terrors until the winter sets in. There has been and still is a general demand for clothing, quilts, and blankets, especially from the mountainous regions between Latakia and Marash. We shall hear more about the need of clothing and bedding and shelter as the season advances and the cold November rains begin beating down upon the mountains. Kitchen utensils are urgently wanted in many districts in which the marauders carried off everything portable.

But while the initial and most palpable suffering and destitution may be said to have been provisionally checked, and while preliminary steps are being discussed with a view to establishing orphanages and asylums for the fatherless and factories in which to give the widows employment, we feel that the real pinch is yet to come. After careful investigation, we are satisfied that relief on an extensive scale will have to be furnished for months to come, and that the coming winter will to the utmost tax the capacity of all the relief agencies at work, even if the funds at their disposal are very materially increased beyond the present ratio of contribution.

[Illustration: ITALIAN S. S. “ORIONE” FLYING RED CROSS FLAG, LEAVING BEIRUT FOR LATAKIA.]

Confronted with so many unsolved problems of relief and of rehabilitation and feeling that some 25,000 destitute fellow-beings in the district between Marash and Latakia are looking toward this Committee for help, both for the present and during the approaching season of inclement weather, we are in duty bound to persevere.

As late as July 8, Rev. Kennedy reported from Alexandretta:

“Nothing has been done in the district so far to reinstate the refugees in their homes. They have been ordered back to their villages repeatedly, and even threatened if they did not obey, but they say they can not go back as long as they have no houses to return to. What the outcome will be I can not predict. To rebuild 746 houses, even though many of them are little better than huts, is no small thing.”

[Illustration: TENTS FURNISHED THROUGH THE RED CROSS RELIEF COMMITTEE FOR ADANA.]

[Illustration: THIRTY-FOUR ORPHAN GIRLS FROM ANTIOCH BROUGHT TO BEIRUT UNDER RED CROSS AUSPICES FOR THE GERMAN DEACONESSES OF KAISERSWERTH. BEDS, BLANKETS, SHOES AND CLOTHING WERE SUPPLIED.]

On July 3 this Committee received an appeal from Miss E. Chambers at Kessab for $500 for shoes, $250 for cotton cloth, and $5,000 for wheat, while urgent requests were made for money with which to rebuild houses. More than 600 houses in Kessab had been ruined by fire and other means of destruction. We have supplied the money necessary to buy the shoes and the cloth, but we are unable as yet to provide winter stores or to assist in rehousing the people.

Regarding the matter of contributions, I would invite attention to the report of July 12 of the Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. E. G. Freyer, inclosed herewith. Your Committee’s first call for aid met with a surprisingly generous response from Syria, enabling us to be the first on the scene of devastation with help from the outside. The contributions were not large, but they came in promptly, and as shown by the financial statement of June 24, from numerous sources.

In the matter of distribution, this Committee has exercised very special care. We have dealt exclusively with American, British, and German missionaries in the field, men and women personally known to ourselves, and in whose trustworthiness and good judgment we had implicit confidence. We have full assurance that the supplies and the cash forwarded have been employed where they would accomplish the greatest amount of good. In that way the piasters or piasters’ worth furnished have been made to serve important ends. We, therefore, feel that we have not striven in vain, although the summary of receipts and expenditures does not run into very large figures.

The number of killed during the recent disturbances is variously estimated at 15,000 to 30,000, leaving thousands of widows and orphans. Business practically is at a standstill in the disturbed region. Hundreds of families wish to emigrate, and some have applied to American consuls for assistance to that end. It is a sad state of affairs. But emigration on a large scale at this time, when brighter days obviously are dawning upon this empire, unquestionably would be both a mistake and a misfortune.

Everywhere the Red Cross has been respected and honored, although the emblem of official relief work in Turkey is the red crescent.

Your Committee considers it a special and precious privilege to be permitted to help so many of these afflicted people under the inspiring auspices of the American National Red Cross. We once more appeal for further funds.

Medical Relief Work In Adana

The Adana massacre was in two sections, the first massacre lasting from the morning of Wednesday, April 14, for three days, until Friday afternoon, April 16; the second followed after an interval of eight days, and lasted for two days, Sunday and Monday, April 25 and 26. The second massacre was followed by occasional killing of Armenians for five or six days more.

The feature of the first day was the plundering of the shops in the Armenian quarter by the Moslem mob. There was much shooting in the city, and some killing on both sides.

Thursday the shooting and killing was continued with more violence. The resistance of the Armenians in the Armenian section of the city was, to a certain extent, successful in preventing the pillaging of a large part of the Armenian quarter. But in the suburbs, where the Christian houses stood isolated, in their little vineyards or gardens the mob and pillaging soldiers had full play. Houses were entered, their inhabitants shot regardless of sex or age, and then, after having been plundered, the buildings were set on fire. On this Thursday afternoon the first assistance to the wounded was given by Mrs. Doughty-Wylie, the wife of Major C. H. M. Doughty-Wylie, British Consul at Mersine. These two had come up on the last regular train from Mersine the previous day because of the report of trouble at Adana. However much of credit may have been, and rightly, given to the Major for a heroism and courage in these days of terror that was the means of saving the lives of thousands, his wife is no less deserving of credit for a brave and tireless devotion to the needs of the wounded, which has done much to mitigate the suffering that followed these awful massacres. To this work she brought not only a love for the details of nursing, but a genius for organization as well, and a training that prepared her in a peculiar way to fill the need. She had seen service as army nurse in the Boer war, and for six years she personally supported and conducted a hospital in Bombay, where she has nursed through famine and through plague. It surely was a special Providence that brought these two to Adana at such a time.

[Illustration: RUINS IN ADANA.]

Thursday afternoon it was reported at the Consulate that nine wounded women and children from the ruined houses of the adjoining suburb had been brought into the Turkish guard house near the Consulate. A message to the guard house to ask if medical help could be given was answered by the curt reply that no assistance was needed as all would be dead by morning. There was firing on the street and murder abroad, but Mrs. Doughty-Wylie, taking with her a Greek woman and Dr. Danielides, who had taken refuge at the Consulate, went over to the guard house. The nine wounded were on the floor of a small room, lying in pools of blood. In an adjoining room were two wounded soldiers, one with a broken leg and one with a flesh wound. After a trip back to the Consulate for dressings, Mrs. Doughty-Wylie and the doctor dressed the wounds, caring first for the wounded soldiers. The women and children were then brought over and placed in a woodshed adjoining the Consulate, while the soldiers were left to the care of the proper military authorities. This formed the nucleus of the hospital relief work. There might have been ten instead of nine in this nucleus but for the fact that even while Mrs. Doughty-Wylie was at work in the guard house a wounded Armenian seeking its protection was stabbed to death by the bayonets of the soldiers in full view of the English Consulate. Of the nine, two died of peritonitis in the course of a few days; two were discharged cured within two weeks, and others were convalescing in the hospital five weeks later.

A tenth was added to the list of wounded in the Consulate that afternoon by the wounding of Major Doughty-Wylie in the right forearm, who, in the role of peacemaker, was frequently between the fire of the contending parties.

_End of First Massacre._

Friday morning, about nine o’clock, the bugles sounded the call to cease firing, and the first massacre ceased. Some four or five wounded men were brought into the British Consulate, and the little hospital overflowed into an adjoining Armenian house, where the patients lay in a little dark room with a mud floor.

On Monday a better house was engaged from a Greek. Here were four small rooms and a broad veranda, which for three weeks did service for surgical dressing room and operating room. The hospital was established with fifteen inpatients and a number of outpatients, who came for dressings. Dr. Danielides left in the middle of the week, and the work was carried on by Mrs. Doughty-Wylie, assisted by Miss Alltree and Miss Sinclair (English), and Miss Avania (Greek), until the arrival of Sick Bay Stewart Shenton and five first aid marines from the British cruiser _Swiftsure_. These came on Saturday, eight days after the end of the first massacre, and with a reinforcement of four more marines two days later they did thorough and efficient work until they were relieved after three weeks by a similar crew of men under Sick Bay Stewart Weiber from H. M. S. _Minerva_. The work of these men, and especially of Mr. Shenton, in caring for the wounded and in the daily dressing of what, after the second massacre, amounted to some 200 suppurating wounds, is deserving of the highest praise.

[Illustration: RUINS IN ADANA.]

In the interval of eight days that elapsed between the first and second massacres, confidence had begun to be gradually restored. The wounded were gathered in several places and cared for by Armenian doctors under the supervision of foreigners. Many of the wounds had gone four days without being dressed and were in bad condition.

_Work Organized._

On Monday, April 9, three days after the end of the first massacre, work began to be organized, as follows:

Under the care of Miss Wallis, in the upper Gregorian Church, 60 wounded women and children, and in the Protestant Boys’ School, 15 wounded men, together with over 15 outpatients.

Under the care of Miss E. S. Webb, in the Armenian Girls’ School, and in the lower Gregorian Church adjoining, over 40 wounded, besides 30 sick.

Under the care of the Soeurs de Charite de Ste. Leon, in a large Armenian house, 25 wounded, besides 130 outpatients.

[Illustration: RED CROSS HOSPITAL (SURGICAL) IN CHARGE OF MRS. DOUGHTY-WYLIE. IN SIMEONIDES’ HOUSE.]

There were also about a dozen wounded in the Turkish School, and among the 2,000 or so refugees in the New Market Armenian Boys’ School there were 50 sick.

In all there were 330 wounded Armenians under treatment, of whom about half were able to come and go for their dressings. Besides this, there were some 100 sick among the crowded refugees. The small proportion of wounded relative to the total number of Armenians killed in the city during the first massacre—a number estimated at 2,500—is indicative of the vindictiveness of the killing. The chance of escape was small for a man, woman, or child once disabled by a wound.

Wounded Moslems were cared for in the government charity hospital outside the city. There were about 50 inpatients, among whom were said to be a few Christians, and about 150 outpatients. In the Turkish Military Hospital there were also about 40 wounded. From 50 to 60 other wounded Moslems were cared for in their homes. The number of Moslems killed is unknown, but is said to have been 200, more or less.

_Second Massacre._

[Illustration: AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL (MEDICAL) ADANA.]

On Sunday, April 25, the aspect of the medical relief work was abruptly changed by the occurrence of the second massacre. This began at 4 in the afternoon, with a determined fusillade on the New Market Armenian School, accompanied by the firing of the building, and followed by the massacre of most of its 2,000 or more helpless refugees as they sought to escape from the death trap. Carts piled high with bodies were busy for the next three days emptying the school playground of its dead. The acute stage of incendiarism and killing lasted only until the following night, Monday, April 26, but frequent fires and the shooting of stray Armenians continued for a week after. This massacre differed from the first in the absence of any effectual resistance on the part of the Armenians, the prominent participation of the soldiers in the killing, and in that it ended with the complete destruction by fire of the Armenian section of the town, representing something over one-fourth of the city’s area. It seems also to have been characterized by a peculiarly relentless cruelty; sick and wounded men, women, and children fell alike before the shots and bayonets of the pitiless soldiery. The 2,500 who are roughly estimated to have been killed in this second massacre are, for the most part, victims of the Armenian School massacre, together with those who were killed the same afternoon in the lower Gregorian Church and adjoining girls’ school. Of the 70 sick and wounded among the refugees here, most were either killed or burned. The hospital of the French Sisters was burned at the same time. Some of the patients were burned with it, but some were saved by two of the Jesuit Fathers, who carried as many as they could over to the Church of the Jesuit Boys’ School. Even this proved for them an uncertain refuge, for the following day the buildings of the Jesuit School were burned, and its refugees, together with the Jesuit Fathers themselves, were saved from the blood-thirsty mob only by the timely intervention of Major Doughty-Wylie. In spite of his fractured arm, he had a guard from the Vali, and rode about in the endeavor to save life and restore order.

Monday morning, April 26, it was announced that government protection would be afforded only to those Armenians who should present themselves at the Konak or government house. So through the day refugees by the thousand, among them the sick and wounded, fled to the open space in front of the Konak, until the Armenian quarter was deserted. Many were escorted there by Major Doughty-Wylie with a guard of soldiers. Here they stood waiting helplessly, without food, for many hours. The women and children were commanded to stand apart from the men, and all were subjected to a thorough search for arms or valuables. Toward evening they were told to go, but no provision was made for their going. Like a herd of frightened sheep, turning back here and there as some new terror faced them, with a number trampled to death at every fresh panic, husbands separated from wives, and children separated from parents, dead bodies lying in the streets, and darkness coming on, they gradually drifted to the new quarter of the town near the railroad station, where they finally found refuge in the two great cotton factories—13,000 in Trepanni’s factory and 5,000 in the German factory. In this flight they were partially protected by the Macedonian soldiers. Some of them were cut and wounded as they passed by Arab soldiers, but none were killed.

[Illustration: DOCTORS AND NURSES SENT TO ADANA UNDER AUSPICES OF AMERICAN RED CROSS AGENTS, BEIRUT.]

The four emergency hospitals in the Armenian district were thus broken up. On that Monday 120 wounded from these hospitals came down to the hospital of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie for dressings, most of them destitute of beds or bedding. The next day, Tuesday, there were over 60 inpatients under the charge of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie; 100 wounded among the 5,000 refugees in the inclosure of the German factory were segregated in a good building intended for the use of foreign employees of the factory. There were no beds for these unfortunates at first. Of this 100 many were but slightly wounded, so that when the factory was emptied of its refugees a week later only 50 were left as interne patients. Besides the 60 or more patients in Mrs. Doughty-Wylie’s hospital, 200 outpatients were also cared for.

There were thus in the three hospitals about 375 wounded under the care of foreigners, after the second massacre, not many more than the number of wounded before the second massacre, for the newly wounded were hardly more than enough to take the places of the wounded who had been killed or burned. Besides, the nature of the second massacre was such as to leave few wounded among those attacked. The kill was usually complete.

Dr. Connell, of H. M. S. _Swiftsure_; Dr. Bouthillier, of the French cruiser _Victor Hugo_; Dr. Bockelberg, of the German cruiser _Hamburg_, with a number of sailors and marines from their ships, gave much assistance.

A number of the native physicians likewise gave their services, though at first it was hardly safe for the Armenian doctors to do so.

The German Emperor had sent his own ship, the _Hamburg_, post haste from Corfu to Mersine soon after the first massacre, and the supplies needed for the German Hospital were to a large extent furnished from the ship’s stores.

[Illustration: DR. DORMAN MAKING HIS ROUNDS OF THE CAMP. ADANA.]

_Conditions of Refugees._

In the four days following the second massacre the condition of the refugees in the factories was pitiable. A little raw flour was given out, even on Monday evening, but for most of the people it was two and a half days before bread was distributed to them. The suffering was great. Conditions were not as bad in the German factory as in the Greek factory, because the inclosure of the former was spacious, and the number of refugees less. In the Greek factory the 13,000 filled all available space. The buildings were packed, with people sitting everywhere on the floor; many crawled under the machinery to find a place to lie. Out in the yard of the factory the last comers were jammed together tightly, so that for many there was actually “standing room only.” Among the refugees here few were wounded, but many sick. There had been an epidemic of measles in the town before the trouble began, and in the crowding of refugees from the first massacre there had been a thorough spread of infection. The two weeks that had elapsed since the beginning of the first massacre gave time for the incubation period, and now many children broke out with the rash of measles.

A smallpox scare was of benefit, in that it hastened the evacuation of the factory. This early turning out of the crowd from the factory was one of the best steps taken in all the relief work, for although it caused some few deaths by pneumonia from exposure, it avoided the awful calamity of an outbreak of typhus fever, such as occurred after the Armenian massacres of 1895. The moving of refugees into camp from the Trepanni factory was superintended by Commander Carver, of H. M. S. _Swiftsure_. By Thursday noon the 13,000 had been divided up into about 30 sections to facilitate the distribution of bread. On Friday, when it was desired to empty the factory, it was announced that bread would no longer be given out in the factory, and each section, according to directions, followed its own particular bread cart out to the place of encampment, at the Yenemahalle. Here, without sufficient covering, and for a time without any tents, families were required to pass nights still cold and chilly, and days rendered intolerable by exposure to the intense heat of the sun at midday. Children in the acute stage of measles passed the night on the bare ground without any covering, and exposure to the chill air resulted in many cases of broncho-pneumonia, from which, for a time, they were dying at the rate of ten a day.

[Illustration: AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL IN CHARGE OF SURGEON MILLER, OF U. S. S. “NORTH CAROLINA,” ASSISTED BY THREE HOSPITAL CORPS MEN AND LADIES.]

Two days after the establishment of the camp an attempt was made to separate the families with measles, and between 300 and 400 of such were collected by Commander Carver in an orange grove, a quarter of a mile away from the main Yenemahalle camp.

Tuesday, May 4, eight days after the second massacre, the German factory was cleared of its 5,000 inmates, and these were located part in an open camp and part in adjoining houses, which, although rented by Armenians, had been spared the general destruction because belonging to Turkish owners. This location was nearly half a mile distant from the Yenemahalle camp. The people here were fed by German funds, and the place was known as the “German camp.”

At this time the allowance of rations was doubled in the large Yenemahalle camp, so that from this time on the people had sufficient food. But the bread from the emergency bakeries of the first two weeks was often poorly baked, and many people had diarrhœa, approaching dysentery, from eating the raw dough that for many was the only food available during the first two days in the factory. Tuesday night and Wednesday 500 blankets and 100 quilts, sent from Beirut, were distributed to the most destitute of the sufferers in the Yenemahalle and measles camp, but when half of the 13,000 refugees were without covering for the night, it can be understood that the 600 pieces were woefully insufficient to go around. A week later 300 more blankets were received and distributed.

[Illustration: GERMAN HOSPITAL IN GROUNDS OF GERMAN FACTORY WITH KAISERSWERTH DEACONESSES.]

On this Tuesday a request made to Ashraf Bey, municipal sanitary inspector, for aid in medical inspection was answered by the sending of two Turkish doctors and two pharmacists, who, the following day, opened an emergency pharmacy near the measles camp.

_Red Cross Sends Medical Aid._

Immediately after the second massacre, a call for medical assistance was sent by the Adana Relief Committee to Beirut, where a Red Cross Relief Committee had been constituted by Hon. G. Bie Ravndal, American Consul General; Mr. E. G. Freyer, of the American Presbyterian Mission, and Dr. Geo. E. Post, of the Syrian Protestant College. This was answered by sending an Armenian physician, Dr. Armadouni, on Wednesday, April 28, who, on arrival at Mersine, found that it was impracticable to proceed farther on account of government restrictions of Armenians. Surgical supplies sent with him were forwarded to Adana, and he returned to Beirut.

Another still more urgent appeal for doctors came from the Adana Relief Committee on Friday, April 30. The surgeons from the English and German ships were necessarily irregular in their attendance, and soon to be compelled to leave; Armenian doctors were not available, and severe epidemics were to be expected among the crowded and poorly fed refugees. In response to this call the American Red Cross Committee at Beirut sent a medical commission, which reached Adana on Wednesday, May 5, consisting of two students of the fourth year of the Syrian Protestant College Medical School, Dr. Kamil Hilal and Dr. Fendi Zughaiyar; Miss MacDonald, a Canadian, who had been teaching in Jerusalem, and Dr. H. G. Dorman, of the Syrian Protestant College, who is the writer. With us was a complete hospital outfit of surgical instruments, sterilizers, sterilized dressings and sutures, and a supply of condensed milk, tinned soups, drugs, etc. Miss MacDonald was succeeded later by Miss Davis, who arrived May 10. The size of the Beirut delegation was increased later by the arrival, on May 12, of Mr. Bennetorossian, of the third year in the Syrian Protestant College Medical School, and on May 20 by Dr. Haigazum Dabanian, who had been released by Dr. Torrence, of the Tiberias Mission, from his engagement in the English hospital there that he might assist in the Adana relief work. The two senior medical students were Syrians who spoke Turkish; the last two men were Armenians and deserving of especial credit in coming to Adana at this time, for they knew that in so doing they ran the risk of government suspicion and arrest.

[Illustration: FRENCH FLAG FLYING OVER FRENCH DISPENSARY.]

With the delegation going from Beirut, although not sent by the Red Cross Society, were two Kaiserswerth Deaconesses from the Johanniter Hospital in Beirut, Sister Louisa and Sister Hannah. These two sisters were sent in response to an appeal from the captain of the _Hamburg_. They took the German hospital in charge from the time of their arrival in Adana and inaugurated a reign of cleanliness and order that made the German hospital a pleasure to behold.

On Tuesday, May 6, as the doctors from the English and German ships were compelled to leave, the writer was asked by the Relief Committee to take entire charge of the medical work. I began with a survey of conditions.

In the German hospital were 23 men and 25 women and children now under the care of the two German Deaconesses; 15 or 20 outpatients were coming in for daily dressings.

In Mrs. Doughty-Wylie’s hospital were 17 men and 20 women and children, and in the railroad freight house, under her care, were 21 men and 4 women; 160 outpatients were having their dressings done at this hospital.

In the American Girls’ School were 15 women and children, under the care of Miss Wallis and Dr. Salibian. Some 10 or 15 wounded outpatients were also dressed at the daily clinic held by these two in the Yenemahalle camp.

Thus there were at this time, in all, 305 wounded under the care of foreigners.

[Illustration: PHARMACISTS AND DOCTORS IN FRONT OF ARMENIAN EMERGENCY PHARMACY IN YENEMAHALLE CAMP.]

Except for the need of a surgeon in charge of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie’s hospital, the surgical work seemed well in hand and likely to be of lessening urgency, while the medical need was just getting into its prime and had been so far almost entirely neglected. In the Yenemahalle and German camps some 200 were reported as sick, while in the measles camp between 75 and 100 children were suffering from the sequence of measles, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis, and from diarrhœa and dysentery, as the result of bad food. A discouraging feature of the outlook was the lack of bedding to protect the sick from exposure, and another difficulty was the absence of milk or soup for the hundreds who could eat nothing else. When people die from starvation, it is usually not for lack of something to put in their stomachs. Their hunger compels them to swallow things unfit for food and a fatal diarrhœa or dysentery is the result. For the children, made sick by eating dough during the days in the factory, the rations of the camp, consisting at first of coarse and half-cooked beans (fule), were as impossible food as is grass to a healthy man. Only a limited supply of milk at famine prices was at this time available. There was sometimes two cups of milk a day, sometimes one, and sometimes none for the sick babies, and consequently the little ones were fading away quickly. Happy were the mothers who were nursing their own children, but it was sad to see little ones starving where the mother was too sick to nurse. I was reminded of the work of thoughtless hunters, who kill the parent birds in nesting time and leave the little ones to starve in the nest. Day by day the rows of little unnamed graves were lengthened near the measles camp. Heart rending scenes of mothers beseeching help for their dying babies were common. Some babies were killed in the massacres by cutting and shooting, and perhaps there the Turks were the more merciful.

The camps were rapidly becoming foul from lack of sanitary restrictions. Swarming flies were zealous to convey infection, and it only needed a good hard rain, such as is common in Adana at this time of the year, to spread an epidemic of typhoid or dysentery that would have been impossible to combat.

These were the needs of the camps: Cleanliness, milk, bedding, efficient medical attendance, medicines, and pharmacists. All these needs were gradually supplied in the course of the next ten or twelve days.

[Illustration: CAMP LIFE, ADANA.]

The first week’s work after our arrival seemed rather discouraging, although constant progress was made. The camps were rigorously cleaned under threat of short rations. Fortunately the rain held off, and in time the camps became relatively sweet and clean. After a week and a half the refugees began moving back to their ruined homes, and the relief of the congested condition of the camp was a constant lessening of the menace of epidemic outbreak. Until medical force became reinforced, we had to cover the field among us as best we could. Sickness was on the increase, and once the daily reports handed in by the head men of the camp sections showed 400 sick in camp, of whom 75 were reported as “very sick.”

The medical staff at first was quite inadequate for the work of visiting all these sick. The two Turkish doctors and the two pharmacists found the life too strenuous for much more than half a day’s work at a time. It was several days before we were able to do more than make sure that the very sick were seen by a doctor each day.

There was also a shortage of drugs. The remedies needed were few and simple, but they were needed in large quantities. This lack was soon supplied from the drug shops in Mersine. There was a shortage of bottles to put fluid medicines in, and medicines when not taken on the spot were dispensed in finjans, old tin cups, or anything that would hold fluids. One man at the dispensary, whose prescription for castor oil had been filled, in spite of protestations, into his own mouth, when he was told to go finally made clear that it was for his wife that he wanted the medicine.

_Conditions Improve._

These rough and ready methods gradually passed as better organization became possible. Dr. Peoples, newly arrived for American mission work in Mersine, joined the medical staff in Adana on May 9, and gave valuable assistance in various branches of the work. After a week, on May 12, the returning French Sisters of Charity, among whom were two experienced nurses, opened a pharmacy and clinic for the refugees of the German camp.

On Sunday, May 16, an Armenian delegation, sent by the Armenians of Constantinople, consisting of three senior medical students, one doctor, and two pharmacists, opened a well-equipped pharmacy, which they had brought with them, in the Yenemahalle camp.

In the meantime the conditions of hospital work became greatly improved. On May 8, three days after our arrival, the surgical hospital of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie was moved from the little cottage and railroad sheds, where such excellent emergency work had been done under such adverse circumstances, to a large commodious house, which had been generously offered for the work by its owner, Cosma Simeonides. In the well-ventilated, spacious rooms of this building 60 patients were comfortably housed, and sufficient space was left for an admirable operating room, for accommodations for help, and for kitchen needs. To care for the patients in these improved quarters, and to relieve the work of the British marines, the necessity for whose withdrawal was anticipated in the near future, a corps of 15 young Armenians and Greeks were enrolled as hospital assistants. These volunteers were for the most part students of St. Paul’s Institute, at Tarsus, and their knowledge of English facilitated the work for the English speaking doctors and nurses. Under these new conditions work which before was arduous and imperfect became a constant source of satisfaction and pleasure. A large debt of gratitude is due to the owners who so generously devoted their beautiful home to this work.

The transfer of the surgical patients left the first emergency hospital free for the accommodation of medical patients. It was soon filled and overflowing, and within a week it was found necessary to accept an offer of the use of the Greek School for the accommodation of patients. On Saturday, May 15, this building was opened as a medical hospital with 50 patients, the most part cases of pneumonia, enteric fever, and dysentery. These patients, too, were under the general care and oversight of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie. In this building also were housed the four American first-aid bluejackets who came up from the cruiser _North Carolina_ the following week; and here, too, was instituted another pharmacy to supply the needs of the hospitals under the care of the sailors who had had training in pharmaceutical work.

_Work of Trained Nurses._

In connection with the improvement of the hospital work should be mentioned the noble work of several trained nurses, whose services were early volunteered. Miss Yerghanian, sent by the King’s Daughters Society of Smyrna for this work, arrived on May 5. Miss La Fontaine, of the British Seaman’s Hospital at Smyrna, came soon after. These two, in conjunction with two Armenian nurses who came with the Constantinople Armenian Relief Commission, undertook the nursing of the medical hospital. Miss Davis, of the Jessie Taylor Memorial School, of Beirut, furnished Mrs. Doughty-Wylie most acceptable and skillful assistance in the work at the surgical hospital.

It has been said that perhaps the greatest need of the medical work for the Adana refugees was the lack of sufficient supply of milk. Accordingly the most encouraging day of our work was the day, ten days after our arrival, when arrangements were made to secure huge quantities of goats’ milk from peasants at less than half the famine price of cows’ milk that prevailed in the first days of the camp life. Distribution of the milk and soup in the camps had been early assigned to the Misses Webb, of the American Girls’ School in Adana. The work of these two ladies in their constant, tireless devotion to the relief of discomfort, sickness, and trouble incidental to the distressing conditions of the camp life, calls for the warmest admiration. To the sufferers, whose constant appeals to them were never slighted, these sisters were veritable ministering angels of mercy. Another assistant in this relief work was Mrs. Kuhne, of Mersine, who, while her health permitted, helped in the work of the upper camp.

[Illustration: BUILDING TO BE ALTERED FOR MORE PERMANENT AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL.]

On Monday, May 17, twelve days after we reached Adana, medical assistance was arriving in such force that I felt justified in returning the three medical students who were with me to Beirut, where their approaching examinations necessitated their early return. On this day, in addition to the helpers already enumerated, Dr. J. T. Miller, surgeon of the American cruiser _North Carolina_, arrived with four first-aid bluejackets. Dr. Gogel, of the British cruiser _Minerva_, arrived with four marines to take the place of the _Swiftsure_ marines, who were leaving.

_International Feature of Relief Work._

I remained in Adana five days longer to make sure that the work was all apportioned and running smoothly. When I left, on Saturday, May 22, the medical work was well in hand and fully manned. Dr. Miller was in charge of the medical hospital, which it was agreed to call the American Red Cross Hospital, and also in charge of the sick children in the measles camp. Dr. Gogel was in charge of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie’s surgical hospital, and a ward for sick babies that had been instituted in an adjoining building, under the care of Miss Alltree. The patients in the hospitals were improving and being discharged, but other patients had been admitted, so that the original numbers were maintained. Some wounded had come in from outside the city. The German hospital, under Dr. Phanouriades, had not taken in new patients, and the number there had diminished to 25. Responsibility for the German encampment was turned over to the French clinic and pharmacy. On May 20 the French opened a little hospital of 12 beds, for medical cases, near their pharmacy. In the Yenemahalle camp rounds were being made by the Turkish and Armenian doctors; the Armenian pharmacy was in full operation and two daily clinics were being held.

[Illustration: THE ADANA RELIEF COMMITTEE IN SESSION. MR. CHAMBERS ON LEFT AND MAJOR DOUGHTY-WYLIE ON RIGHT.]

The Turkish military doctors were continuing the clinic at their pharmacy near the measles camp. There were thus in operation four hospitals—English, American, German, and French; four dispensaries—Turkish, Armenian, French, and American, and five daily clinics—English, French, Turkish, and two Armenian. The staff of workers included 25 doctors—English, American, French, Greek, Syrian, Turkish, and Armenian; 11 trained nurses—English, German, and Armenians; 8 first-aid men from the English and American ships, and 12 Armenian assistants. In all this work one of the pleasantest features was its international character. No friction or international jealousies were seen. Before the great need and common aim, distinctions of race or nation fell away, and one helped another with a single desire for service. While I have spoken of the surgical hospitals as English and the medical hospital as American, the distinction is only in name, for the English and Americans have worked together indiscriminately in both hospitals.

The provision for the medical wants of the refugees was sufficient, and it seemed only a question of time until the emergency relief work should grade off into the permanent medical work required for 20,000 homeless and penniless people. When the time for this change should come, it was desired that some permanent good might remain as a memorial of the relief work in Adana, and it was planned that the patients remaining from the American Red Cross Hospital, together with whatever hospital equipment might have been accumulated, should be left to the care of the American Mission in a large building belonging to them, which is now being altered for use as a hospital. There is no hospital in Adana, except one poorly equipped and totally inadequate charity institution, and the field of usefulness for a good hospital would be great. There could be no fitter legacy of permanent help to the Adana sufferers than the founding among them of such a permanent hospital.

The evacuation of the camps, forced by the government on all those who had remaining houses or vineyards, while it worked hardship in some cases, was a necessary precaution for the avoidance of epidemics, and at this time the campers had been reduced by about one-half.

A share in the Adana relief work has been a privilege not alone as an opportunity for service, but it has been a still greater privilege to see the men and women there who, in sublime unconsciousness of self, are daily giving themselves to fill the swarming needs of thousands of destitute people. Especially is this true of Major Doughty-Wylie and Mr. Nesbit Chambers. Credit for the high personal bravery shown by them at the time of the massacres is surpassed by admiration for their devotion now that, acting as directors of the Adana relief work, and showing foresight, discretion, and economy, they have established themselves to bear the burden through the hot days of the long summer. Honor may well be given to those who couple courage in danger with humanity in time of need.

(Signed) HARRY G. DORMAN, M. D., _Of the Adana Relief Delegation of the American Red Cross Committee in Beirut._

The Sack Of Kessab

By STEPHEN VAN R. TROWBRIDGE.

Kessab was a thrifty Armenian town of about 8,000 inhabitants, situated on the landward slope of Mount Cassius (Arabic, Jebel Akra), which stands out prominently upon the Mediterranean seacoast, halfway between Alexandretta and Latakia. Kessab is now a mass of blackened ruins, the stark walls of the churches and houses rising up out of the ashes and charred timbers heaped on every side. What must it mean to the 5,000 men and women and little children who have survived a painful flight to the seacoast and have now returned to their mountain home, only to find their houses sacked and burned! There were nine Christian villages which clustered about Kessab in the valleys below. Several of these have been completely destroyed by fire. All have been plundered and the helpless people driven out or slain.

On Thursday, April 22, serious alarm reached the people of Kessab. It was known that a massacre of the Armenians had taken place in Antioch, 36 miles to the north, and that attacks were being planned on the Christian villages of the mountains. A parley was arranged with the Mudir (magistrate) of Ordou, the nearest seat of government, and a telegram asking for military protection was dispatched to the Governor of Aleppo. The Mudir, whose name is Hassein Hassan Agha, met the Kessab delegation halfway down the mountainside and assured them that he had already scattered the mobs that had gathered with evil intention. But his pledges soon proved to be idle tales, because that very Thursday evening he permitted crowds of armed Moslems to come into Ordou from Jissr Shoughr, Kusayr, Antioch, and even from Idlib, far to the east. Early the next morning, after entertaining the raiders overnight, he sent them on their way to the sack of Kessab. Moreover, the Mudir detained the eleven gendarmes which were ordered by the Aleppo government to protect American and Italian interests in Kessab. The Mudir instructed the gendarmes that they should remain in Ordou.

[Illustration: STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER TROWBRIDGE.]

Thursday evening the Kessab scouts brought word into the town that great crowds of armed Turks and Arabs had gathered in the nearest Moslem village. It was an anxious night. Before daylight, Friday morning, rifle shots told of the enemy’s advance. By three separate mountain trails, from the north, northeast, and east, thousands of armed Moslems came pouring up the valley. Their Martini rifles sent the bullets whizzing into the Kessab houses, while the shotguns of the 300 Christians who were posted on the defense could not cover the long range. It was a desperate struggle, and the Kessab men realized their straits. The plan which they thereupon made is to their honor and credit. They resolved to hold out as many hours as possible, so as to furnish time for the women and children to escape into the clefts and caves of the mountains to the south. For five hours the fusillade continued with fierce determination. By midafternoon Turks from the Antioch villages had circled around Jebel Akra on the north, so as to command a position above Kessab. The Arabs had flanked the town on the southeast. Meanwhile the vanguard of the Ordou Moslems had captured and burned the adjacent villages just below Kessab, and had set fire to three of the houses at that end of the town. Their cries and frantic threats could be heard distinctly. The women and girls gathered up the little children on their backs and in their arms, hastened along the west trail over the ridge toward Kaladouran, and clambered up into the cliffs and crevices which overlook the sea at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Some in small groups, others entirely alone, hid themselves underneath the thorny underbrush or in the natural caves. Toward evening the men had been compelled by the overwhelming odds to give up the defense. They fell back without any panic or noise. And the Turks and Arabs who rushed into the streets of the town were so seized with the lust of plunder that they did not pursue the rear guard of the Christians. Angry must have been the scenes as the plunderers fought with one another over the stores of raw silk, the chief product of Kessab. Cattle, mules, copper kettles, bedding, clothing, and rugs were carried out by the Turks in feverish haste, as one after another the houses were set on fire. Some of the aged Armenians, who had not the strength to flee, were caught in their houses and barbarously put to death. Others, who had delayed flight in order to gather up and rescue a few valuables, were likewise put to the sword. Axes and knives finished up what the rifles had spared. But the instinct to escape had been so strong among the Christians, and the greed of plunder so absorbing among the Mohammedans, that in all the day’s fray only 153 Armenians and a handful of Turks were killed.

A Kessab girl named Feride, 20 years of age, had a remarkable escape. She had gone over to the village of Ekizolook (Twin Hollows) to save the little bridal trousseau of one of her friends. It was well on in the afternoon when she had gathered up the garments into a bundle. And when she hurried out into the street to join the fugitives she found, to her dismay, that everyone had gone beyond sight and hearing. A moment more and she saw a host of Arabs rush up through the street. She dashed through several little gardens and reached the rocks and underbrush above the village. On and on she made her way without being discovered. In a deep cleft between the rocks she hid and listened. She had dropped the precious bundle, but kept in her hand her New Testament, which was more precious than anything else. As she listened and watched many Arabs and Turks ranged past the entrance to the cleft. Then came one who peered in closely. Their eyes met. He gave a cry to his comrades, “There is a maiden here!” and sprang forward. She summoned her whole strength and leaped up the side of a great rock which rises up above the village. It was a feat which no athlete could commonly have done. At first the Arab could not follow her. He cried again to his companions. They replied by shouting to one another, “Surround her! Surround her!” She was now standing on top of the rock in full sight of fifteen or sixteen Arabs, all in her pursuit. They called fiercely to her to come down. She answered in Arabic, “You may shoot me, but I will never give myself up.” Then they ordered her to throw down to them the purse she had in her hand. She told them it was not her purse, but her Holy Gospel. And she held out her hands in prayer to God. Just then the Arab who had first seen her made a spring up the side of the rock. She leaped in the opposite direction down into some brushwood, but was caught at the side of the rock by branches of briar. The Arab came on over the top of the rock and had reached out his arm to seize her, when a Christian young man, who had taken refuge in another part of the brushwood, fired and shot him dead. He gave a long groan, threw up his arms, and fell prostrate upon the rock. The other Moslems were startled by the unexpected shot and retreated for a time. This gave Feride time to escape into the caves farther up the mountainside, where she remained entirely alone all night and part of the next day. When I was in Ekizolook the Arab had not yet been buried. I took his headdress—a coil of black wool and the “keifiyye” which goes with it—as a trophy. Feride herself told me the story of her escape. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed as she recalled the dangers through which she had passed. She said that after she was discovered in that cleft of the rocks all fear left her. A strange courage came over her, and she felt sure that God would save her from being captured.

One of the school teachers, named Mariam, was caught by the Arabs not far from where Feride had hidden. The Arab who captured her ordered her to become a Moslem. When she refused he threatened to kill two little boys she was trying to protect. Then he raised the axe which he carried and placed the edge against Mariam’s neck, threatening her three separate times. Each time she said she would never become a Mohammedan, nor deny her faith in Christ, nor surrender her honor. The Arab snatched the money which she had with her and tore off the dress and shoes which she was wearing. He told her he would make her his slave. Just then some Turks from Ordou came up and recognized among the women the wife of Dr. Apelian. The doctor had often served these Turks medically. A sharp skirmish ensued, which ended in the defeat of the Arabs. The women were that night taken in safe conduct by these Turks to a Greek house in Ordou, where they were kindly cared for until the fighting was over and they could return to Kessab.

One of the saddest experiences was that of Azniv Khanum, wife of the preacher in Kaladouran. Ten days before the massacre she had given birth to twin children, a boy and a girl. When the flight to the mountains took place she had not the strength to climb with the others, so her husband hid her and their four children among the rocks near the edge of the village. The babies were wrapped in a little quilt and the other children clung to their mother, while the father hid in a cave close by. Before long Azniv Khanum and the children were discovered by the Turks. One of the plunderers snatched up the quilt, despite the mother’s entreaties. The two babies rolled out, one in one direction and one in another, over the rough stones. Then the Turk rudely laid hold of the mother, and, holding his revolver against her breast, ordered her to become a Moslem. She bravely refused. “You are my slave,” he said, and beat her with the flat of his sword. He commenced to drag her down in order to tie her on his horse. Her foot tripped, she fell, and rolled over and over for about eight yards. There she lay on the rocks, bruised and exhausted, in the hot sun. The Turk seeing a chance to plunder, abandoned her. Afterwards other Turks took her money and her dress and shoes and her little girl about four years old. It is wonderful that she lived through it all. One of the little babies lived a week, the other about ten days, after that. When I was in Kaladouran we buried the little boy. It was a very touching service out under the trees.

Now, to return to the narrative. Friday evening it occurred to Dr. Apelian that if he could reach the seaport of Latakia, forty miles to the south, he could telegraph for assistance by sea. With a trusty guide he set out that same evening for the house of a Moslem chief in the mountains. This Turk agreed to ride with him to Latakia, and thus give him protection along the way. Without this escort the doctor could never have made this trip. Even as it was he took his life in his hands. They arrived in Latakia at 2 o’clock at night, called the British and French consuls to Dr. Balph’s home, sent telegrams to Alexandretta and Aleppo, and at dawn notified the Mutasarrif (Lieutenant-Governor) of the attack on Kessab. Turkish soldiers were dispatched at once, and a Messageries steamer started to the rescue from Alexandretta.

Meanwhile, all day Saturday the sacking and burning went on. The large village of Kaladouran was devastated. The Moslems increased in numbers as raiders from distant villages arrived. In the afternoon Selhan Agha, captain of gendarmerie, arrived with forty cavalrymen. He joined in the sack of the town, taking for himself and his company the most valuable share of the booty, the raw silk found in the merchants’ shops. He and the cavalrymen were afterward intercepted at Idlib, on their way to Aleppo, and their saddlebags were found to be crammed full of plunder. Selhan Agha, with the forty horsemen, had been dispatched from Jissr by orders from Aleppo, Thursday afternoon, to go at once to protect Kessab from any mob violence. He could have gone in eight hours, or even less, from Jissr to Kessab. At that time the attack had not yet commenced. Instead of going directly to Kessab he went to Sheikh Keoy and spent the night there. The next day all the Moslems from that village were out on the warpath, while Selhan Agha turned far out of his way and made a sixty-mile detour to many other Mohammedan villages and to the city of Antioch. Finally he reached Kessab, forty-eight hours after receiving his orders, and when he arrived he did not stop the burning and looting, but himself became a plunderer. This whole disgraceful affair has been probed by the Aleppo Commission, and their findings substantiate all of the above statements. I have most of the evidence, however, directly from one of the gendarmes named Mehmet Ali.

[Illustration: BOYS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL, KESSAB. BURNED APRIL 23-24.]

By Saturday night there was not much valuable plunder left. The iron bars were wrenched out from the windows and the household pottery smashed to pieces out of sheer vandalism. As the loot became exhausted the Moslems commenced to range the mountainsides, exploring the caves, and firing into the bushes in the effort to exterminate the Christians. One woman’s husband was cut to pieces before her very eyes, and she herself was severely wounded in the side. She escaped to the deep ravines near the summit of Mount Cassius and lived on snow for twelve days. She is now in the American hospital at Latakia.

All the tradesmen’s shops and merchants’ storehouses in Kessab are burned. In fact, the whole market is in ashes. The Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches are completely burned. The latter was a spacious building, seating a congregation of 1,800. The American Mission residence, occupied by Miss E. M. Chambers, was burned; so, also, the Girls’ High School (American property), the Boys’ Grammar School, and the Protestant parsonage; 530 houses, including the homes of all the well-to-do families in Kessab, are also destroyed by fire. The 700 houses which remain, plundered, but not burned, are small one-room or two-room houses, belonging to laborers and other poor people. In Ekizolook 38 homes are burned; 22 remain. In Kaladouran 65 are gone; 135 are left. In Duz Aghaj 24 are burned; 1 remains. In Keorkine 55 are burned; 45 remain.

On Saturday one of the Latin priests, Father Sabatine, made the journey to Latakia, at considerable risk, in order to appeal for help. Whether it was by the influence of his telegrams or the ones sent twenty-four hours before by the Protestant physician, Dr. Apelian, I do not know, but at all events on Sunday morning a Messageries Maritime steamer came down the coast toward the cove at Kaladouran, at the foot of Mount Cassius. The news was carried from mouth to mouth to all the hiding places among the crags and ravines, so that within a few hours the fugitives began to pour in streams down the Kaladouran gorge to the seashore. The painfulness of that descent can scarcely be imagined. Most of the people had not had anything to eat for two days. Many of them had become separated from their families and were now plodding down toward the sea with a strange blend of hope and despair. The suffering of many of the women was severe indeed. Fourteen children were born during that flight, and the mothers had no alternative but to press onward as best they could in the wake of the multitude.

An 8-year-old little boy was captured by the Turks and carried off to become a Moslem. He was given a Mohammedan name and made to wear a little turban. He acted very demurely and kept quiet. But when a chance offered, as he had permission to go to a nearby well, he ran for dear life and got away. With an instinct as keen as that of a wild creature of the woods, he made his way among the mountains and across the maritime plain forty miles, to Latakia, where he found his mother.

The Messageries steamer took aboard about 3,000 and brought them to Latakia, where they were divided up among several churches and schools. On Monday, a French cruiser brought 4,000 more. The largest number were cared for in the grounds of the American Presbyterian Mission. The hospital was crowded with wounded and sick under the care of Dr. James Balph. Miss Elsey, the trained nurse, opened a maternity ward, and all the Americans worked hard in relief measures. The days in Latakia, under the hot sun and with the constant fear that the Turks of the town might rush in and attack them, were days of exile and hardship, in spite of all that could be done for safety and health. They gathered quietly in the evenings for prayer and for the singing of the hymns that they all know by heart. After a few days sickness began breaking out rapidly. Several smallpox cases were discovered, and the crowded conditions threatened still further disorders. The Mutasarrif, who is chief magistrate in Latakia, had from the start done everything in his power to protect and provide for these fugitives. He himself patrolled the streets at night, and, with the few soldiers at his command, dispersed the angry Moslem mobs which repeatedly made attempts at disorder. He furnished a ration of flour for all and expressed his sympathy with those who were in sorrow. When he saw the rapid increase of sickness he advised that they should all return to Kessab, and to give the people assurance of safety on the road he went with them in person. The courageous and kind-hearted action of this Turk saved Latakia, and the thousands of Kessab people sheltered there, from the dreadful event of a massacre. His conduct stands out in strong contrast with the criminal behavior of Hassein Hassan Agha, the Mudir of Ordou.

[Illustration: INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH IN KESSAB. SACKED AND BURNED APRIL 23-24.]

Can you imagine the feelings of the Kessab people as they climbed on foot the long trail up the mountain, and then as they came over the ridge into full view of their charred and ruined dwellings? Their stores of wheat, barley, and rice had been burned; clothing, cooking kettles, furniture, and tools had gone; their goats, cows, and mules had been stolen; their silk industry stamped out; their beloved churches reduced to smouldering heaps. The bodies of their friends and relatives who had been killed had not been buried. And yet the love of home is so strong that the people have settled down there with the determination to clear up the debris and rebuild their houses. If generous gifts arrive from England and America the Local Relief Committee hopes to put into the hands of the Kessab men such tools as shall enable them to earn their usual livelihood by one of the trades or by farming. For the present food supplies and clothing must also be forwarded from Latakia and Beirut. But as soon as a man begins to earn a daily wage, no matter how small, his name is struck off the ration lists. I insisted upon this rule in the case of muleteers, who were paid for carrying up the first shipment of relief supplies. Two capable doctors are ready to give their services for the sick, but they have lost all medical and surgical supplies. It would be of the utmost benefit to furnish them with instruments and medicines. In this, as in other needs, we heartily appreciate the prompt cooperation of the Beirut Relief Committee. Miss E. M. Chambers, who was in Adana during these troubles, has now returned to Kessab. She has lost everything, but is quite ready to share the lot of the people. She is secretary for the Kessab Relief Committee, of which Dr. James Balph, Latakia, is chairman and treasurer.

On Sunday afternoon, May 23, the first preaching service for four weeks was held out under the trees near the burned church. My heart went out to the people as I spoke to them and looked into their faces. I realized then a little what they had been through during the past month. May God’s blessing be richly poured out upon them!

_Supplementary Report._

For the first few weeks we were all compelled to do emergency work, the doctors to treat the wounded, the rest of us to secure flour, rice, and water for the throngs of homeless people. But now the attention of all of us is directed to construction work, providing for the industrial needs of the sufferers, rebuilding wherever possible and reorganizing the agricultural work of the peasants. For the orphan children homes are being established, chiefly by the missionaries, and for the widows whose livelihood has been cut off by the killing of husbands, fathers, and sons, the establishment of embroidery, rug making, and silk culture, the materials and tools furnished by the relief committees, the wages to be paid daily to the earners. Where many men have survived, the common trades of carpentry, masonry, stonecutting, tailoring, and weaving may be reestablished by a sufficient financial backing from relief societies. There is also great need of men to specialize in relief work and administer the large funds required. Missionaries can not rightly give up all their regular work, nor can navy officers nor consuls, but a few American volunteers, such as those sent to southern Italy and Sicily after the earthquake, could do a wonderful amount of good.

Perhaps the most effective and wide-reaching relief work thus far has been done by Dr. F. D. Shepard and his wife in the large villages of Hassan Beyli and Baghche. This American surgeon could use to excellent advantage a staff of young men from the homeland. The work of the Beirut Relief Committee in providing hundreds of the men who survived the Kessab attack with tools and implements, so that they might commence earning a living at once, deserves note as a typically American plan, financed chiefly through the generosity of the American National Red Cross. To avoid pauperizing the people is one of the most difficult feats. Here in the city of Aintab, where there has been practically no loss of life, but great economic loss and resulting increase of poverty, I have furnished some of the unemployed weavers with twelve looms for six months. Twelve stonecutters, who were out of work since April 16, I have set to work digging pits or holes in the limestone of the hospital grounds, so that trees may be planted in the pits next spring. The earth is only a few inches deep here.

Although the American people have helped very generously, the work of relief has only just begun, and a more thorough effort to put the people here on their feet again and to make kindly provision for all the helpless persons, the old women and little children, requires large plans and large appropriations from such societies as the American National Red Cross.

_An English Woman’s Heroism._

Mrs. Doughty-Wylie, wife of the British Vice-Consul, in a letter to her mother, describes with the vividness of an eye witness the horrors of the last days of the rule of the late Sultan, Abdul Hamid.

Major Doughty-Wylie, a soldier who has taken part in many campaigns, was severely wounded while engaged in the work of rescue. His heroic services have won from the American missionaries laurels that will not fade. Mrs. Doughty-Wylie also, according to impartial witnesses, displayed the courage of her race, and by her devotion and energy saved many lives.

From a letter from Mrs. Doughty-Wylie we make the following extracts:

[Illustration: THE AMERICAN MISSION RESIDENCE. KESSAB. COMPLETELY DESTROYED.]

“We are having a perfectly hideous time here. Thousands have been murdered—25,000 in this province, they say; but the number is probably greater, for every Christian village was wiped out. In Adana about 5,000 have perished. After Turks and Armenians had made peace and the Armenians had given up their arms, the Turks came in the night with hose and kerosene and set fire to what remained of the Armenian quarter. Next day the French and Armenian schools were fired. Nearly everyone in the Armenian school perished, anybody trying to escape being shot down by the soldiers.

“In the French school a large number of Fathers and Sisters, with 2,000 Armenians, were rescued by Dick (Major Doughty-Wylie). Thirty, who tried to escape, were shot. Dick found their bodies at the gate, but he got the survivors out of the schools and brought them right through the Turkish quarter without losing a soul. Altogether he got several thousand people out of the burning quarter and encamped them near our temporary dwelling.

“I have the hospital—sixty-five beds so far and about 150 outpatients requiring surgical dressings. Fifteen thousand starving people are to be fed and we are running into debt nicely.

“The Turkish authorities do nothing except arrest unoffending Armenians, from whom by torture they extort the most fanciful confessions. Even the wounded are not safe from their injustice. A man was being carried in to me yesterday when he was seized and taken off to gaol. I dare not think what his fate may be.

“Nobody is safe. They murder babies in front of their mothers; they half murder men and violate their wives while the husbands are lying there dying in pools of blood. Then they say it is the fault of the Armenians, because there existed a revolutionary society of about sixty members, who talked and wrote a good deal of rot.

“We arrived in Adana from Mersine the first day of the massacre, April 14. The murderers boarded the train. There was a rush of Armenian passengers into our compartment. While I tried to buck them up a bit Dick went and tackled an assassin who was just going to shoot somebody else. At Tarsus they murdered two men who were coming from the station just behind us. One man made a rush and gained the guardhouse, but the soldiers shoved him out and watched him done to death in the road.

“Dick got into uniform the moment he arrived, and we saw no more of him till 11 at night. He had been rescuing all the foreign subjects he could find. The following day I saw more brutal murders. An Armenian quarter near us was attacked by Arab soldiers from our guard and was practically wiped out. Their officers and one or two decent soldiers stuck to the guardhouse and took no part in the murders. The officers, at my earnest appeal, even saved some women and children—but how dreadfully shot they were.

“After an hour’s argument I got a Greek doctor to come out with me to the guardhouse and dress the wounded women and children. The room was a puddle of blood, and while we were working there a wounded Armenian, who was staggering in to be dressed, was stabbed to death by some of the soldiers. I saw many murders, and nobody seemed to care.

“The authorities did nothing, and the soldiers were worse than the crowd, for they were better armed.

“One house in our quarter was burned with 115 people inside. We counted the bodies. The soldiers set fire to the door, and as the windows had iron bars nobody could get out. Everybody in the house was roasted alive. They were all women and children and old people. It was in that part of the town that Dick was wounded. They told him that some wounded Turkish soldiers were lying among the burning houses, and he went to rescue them, which they certainly did not deserve. The house from which he was shot had a garden filled with dead women and children, and I have no doubt that some Armenian, who had lost entire family and most of his friends, shot him in a sort of mad fit, probably taking him for a Turk.

_Slaughter in the Fields._

“Outside Adana every Christian village—Greek, Syrian, or Armenian—has been burned and every soul in them killed. Unfortunately, it was just before harvest, and thousands of peasants from the mountains and other districts were there to start work. From 100 to 200 men and women were murdered on every farm. Turkish farms were not burned or looted, but the Armenian servants were killed. I know of only one farmer—a friend of ours—who had the nerve to save his Armenians.

[Illustration: MRS. DOUGHTY-WYLIE IN UNIFORM OF ARMY NURSE ON BALCONY OF SURGICAL HOSPITAL.]

“The French engineer and an English traveler gallantly did some saving. They had escorts, and the Frenchman stood a three-days’ siege and made his escort fight some Circassians to save a dozen Armenians. It was gallantly done. The Englishman, whose name is Gunter, refused to save himself unless the Armenians who had thrown themselves on his protection were saved. It was touch and go for the lot, but British pluck won and he got his own terms.

“The Germans, however, who were shut up in a place called Bagche gave up the Armenians in their house as the price of their own safety. Here the Germans are working splendidly on relief work. They are all Saxons and had a factory full of Armenians, which held out all right. When the Armenians were being brought out of the factory to the camp, as soon as things were supposed to be quiet, the soldiers started killing them. I happened to be at the guardhouse and got my little officer to go to the rescue, and all were brought in safely except three, who had been already shot.

“Things are still very unsettled. Murders and fires continue; but, of course, it is not like the first days of horror.

“We have 15,000 people starving and without shelter. All we can give them is a fragment of bread or a handful of rice. We have nothing more to give. No milk for the babies—nothing. And measles and dysentery are rife.”

Report Of F. G. Freyer, Secretary-Treasurer Of The Beirut Relief Committee.

BEIRUT, SYRIA, July 12, 1909.

Mr. E. G. Freyer, Secretary-Treasurer of the Relief Committee, with his financial statements sends a special appeal for Kessab. He also says, in regard to the Committee’s work as American Red Cross Agents:

We realized, first, that under the American National Red Cross our Committee would take the field as a distinctively American undertaking, even though recognizing the principle which governs all Red Cross work—that its benefits should reach all in need, irrespective of nationality or creed.

Secondly, it gave the Committee a standing, a guarantee before the public which enabled it to raise funds in quarters where remittances under other circumstances might not have been forthcoming.

The sending of doctors and nurses to Adana in the name and under the protection of the Red Cross flag was not only a source of satisfaction to the Committee, but of the very greatest help and blessing to the many who at that time required immediate medical aid.

Those of us who have lived in the Orient for years have become accustomed to the remark, and in many cases have allowed ourselves to believe, that the native will not help himself, much less others, but that he is willing to be dependent on the charity of the outside world. Be this as it may under ordinary conditions, the present crisis has fully demonstrated that the native can and will rise to the occasion and help not only himself but his neighbor as well.

In looking over the summary of receipts it is more than gratifying to note the very generous response which has come to our appeal from the Syrians, or those whom we designate as “natives.” When we consider that out of a total of 564,538 piasters received fully one-third has come from native sources, this fact in itself may be considered a success commensurate with any relief and help which the money itself has brought to the sufferers. It is proverbial that it is difficult to get money from the native. It is a satisfaction to know that he is sympathetic, and that he can and will help.

Many cases can be cited where sacrifices have been made to help along the work of relief. One man who had saved his metallic pieces (1 cent plus) for nearly three years, and who had his small box nearly full, handed it over with the remark, “Here, I have saved these for three years. I know not what the box contains. Take it for the fund.” The proceeds of that box netted the fund 385 piasters, or $13.75. The children brought their pennies, school girls went without portions of their meals, the poor gave of their little, and by these acts of self-denial helped to feed and clothe their fellow-countrymen.

We have esteemed it a privilege to work under Red Cross auspices, even though our funds have come also from many other sources.

From England we have received many contributions, large and small. The latter are numerous, and indicate the desire many have had to help.

_A Special Appeal for Kessab._

Relief work at Kessab, as in many of the disturbed districts of northern Syria, has been going on since the end of April last. During that time the Beirut Relief Committee has been able to aid in feeding and clothing the many widows and orphans who were left entirely destitute, while tools for carpenters, blacksmiths, and masons, also plows and farming implements, have been sent there so that the work of reconstruction might begin.

Until now relief work has consisted chiefly in feeding the hungry; more could not be undertaken on a large scale. The summer months have proved favorable in that the people did not require special housing. Improvised tents and shelters of various kinds were constructed, and for the present these have served their purpose well, but the great question which confronts all who are engaged in this work is, how these people are to be housed and sheltered during the bleak winter months. It must be remembered that the winters at Kessab are exceptionally severe. Situated on the side of a mountain at a high altitude, the winds and rains not infrequently cause the place to be entirely covered with ice and snow.

Then, again, how are they to be provided with food to tide over the winter, or until they can raise their next crop of silk worms, the chief industry of Kessab? We can not go on feeding them indefinitely, yet it is a duty to feed and house this people until, under ordinary conditions, they can provide their own support and repair their homes.

In regard to providing shelter, it is thought that it may be feasible to erect two or three large barracks to give at least temporary shelter to the women and children. Conference with those on the field and those who know the conditions which hold good at Kessab may prove that this is not a feasible plan, but that it would be better to roof over some of the larger buildings. While practically all the houses in Kessab were destroyed by fire, the walls of most of them are standing and in good condition. It may be found more advantageous to roof over several of these large houses, or even the Protestant and Armenian Churches. The latter could be used by the constituents of either sect, and under such conditions as the Relief Committee may see fit to make. Unless some such measure of relief is adopted immediately great will be the suffering and privation of the people of Kessab during the coming winter months.

The very lowest estimate places the cost of the construction work at $10,000 and the cost of a sufficient quantity of wheat to sparingly supply the needs of the people at $5,000.

In view of the foregoing facts a special appeal is therefore made for $15,000, $10,000 of which to be specifically designated as intended for and to be applied to constructive work.

It is hoped that these specific objects for which funds are so urgently needed, and the receipt of which will do untold good, may appeal to many who are in a position to give.

_Abstract of First Financial Statement, Beirut Relief Committee, June 24, 1909._

Your Committee has long felt the necessity of rendering at least a preliminary statement, showing amounts received and expended, in connection with the relief work made possible through your generosity.

Without the aid of regularly paid assistants it has, however, been impossible for the Committee to render such an account earlier, feeling that its first efforts should be directed toward the work of relief rather than that of accounts.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge with thanks the gifts of so many who have responded to our call for aid. Considerable has been done to alleviate the sufferings and wants of the sick and destitute, but from all accounts from the stricken districts the work of relief is far from completed. Until we can get sufficient funds wherewith to purchase tools, etc., the people can not be set to work at their various trades. This, and this only, can solve the problem of reconstruction which confronts all engaged in this work.

Very truly, yours,

G. BIE RAVNDAL, _American Consul-General, Chairman._

GEO. E. POST, M. D. E. G. FREYER, _Secretary and Treasurer_.

Receipts.

_Piasters._ Syria 136,581.10 Palestine 28,012.05 Asia Minor 17,505.00 Cyprus 1,322.35 Egypt 35,667.25 Belgium 815.25 France 543.30 England 51,658.25 America 223,930.25 ----------- Grand Total 496,037.20 £3,627 6s. 7d. $17,715.62

Expenditures.

_Piasters._ Adana 60,088.10 Kessab 76,960.10 Alexandretta 81,006.25 Latakia 7,000.00 Antioch 26,029.20 Tarsus 14,099.05 Aintab 12,462.20 Marash (Americans) 79,193.20 Marash (Germans) 23,253.30 Deaconesses, Beirut 4,404.00 Miscellaneous 31,575.00 ----------- Grand total 416,072.20 =========== Beirut currency: _Piasters._ Total receipts 496,037.20 Total expended 416,072.20 ----------- June 24, 1909. Balance on deposit in bank 79,965.00

E. G. FREYER, _Treasurer_.

Summary Of Distribution.

8,783 pieces of clothing and 182 pairs of shoes, sent in by 152 donors. 3,600 blankets purchased by Committee. 1,100 quilts purchased by Committee. 130 sacks of rice purchased by Committee. 23 sacks of wheat purchased by Committee. 197 sacks of flour purchased by Committee. _Piasters._ Cash 198,942.10 Medicines and medical supplies 13,371.25 Blankets 29,295.00 Quilts 21,548.10 Foodstuffs 50,000.20 Clothing 26,012.40 Miscellaneous, including carpenters’, masons’, and farming tools; sewing machines, tin pots, pans, spoons, copper pots, blacksmiths’ tools, plows, pickaxes, spades, needles, thread, buttons, administration, etc. 76,903.15 ---------- 416,072.20

I have examined the above accounts, compared the same with vouchers, and hereby certify that they are correct.

W. R. GLOCKLER, _Auditor_.

BEIRUT, SYRIA, June 24, 1909.

_Abstract of Second Financial Statement, Beirut Relief Committee, July 26, 1909._

_Piasters._ Credit by balance brought forward June 24, 1909 79,965.00

Additions: Syria 2,759.30 Palestine 316.25 Asia Minor 664.35 Egypt 1,317.10 Cyprus 136.15 Denmark 69.10 England 83,728.10 America 79,929.00 Interest, bank account 564.15 ----------- Total 249,450.30 ===========

Expended for account: Adana 13,344.30 Kessab 30,715.30 Alexandretta 27,082.30 Antioch 485.35 Antab 12,462.20 Oorfa 411.10 Marash 18,264.30 Miscellaneous 4,520.00 ----------- Total 107,287.25 ----------- Credit by balance on hand July 26, 1909 142,163.05

_Piasters._ Total of all receipts to date 665,523.10 or $23,768.68 Total of all expenditures to date 523,360.05 or 18,691.43 ------------------------ Credit by balance carried forward to new account 142,163.05 or 5,077.25

Respectfully submitted,

E. G. FREYER, _Treasurer_.

I have examined the above accounts, have compared them with vouchers, and hereby certify that they are correct.

W. R. GLOCKLER, _Auditor_.

_Supplementary Statement or Cash Memorandum, Beirut Relief Committee, July 28, 1909._

_Piasters._ Credit by balance brought forward July 26 142,163.05 Cash received per C. A. Wilson, Alexandria 13,962.25 Cash received from Isper Bayoud, Amatour 160.00 Cash received from N. Berouti, Jaffa 217.20 ----------- Total 156,502.50 =========== Debtor to— T. L. 300, transferred to Dr. Balph for purchase of wheat and storage of same 37,387.20 Telegram to Dr. Balph 22.10 225 pieces kham for Kessab 9,344.00 600 blankets, tinware, etc., for Kessab 9,263.30 40 dozen each of crockery plates and bowls 1,203.20 Medical supplies for Kessab 1,436.10 Cost of packing bales for Kessab 23.05 Cost of sending cash to Dr. Balph 30.20 Miscellaneous shipping, telegram fees, etc. 118.30 ----------- Total 58,829.25 ----------- Balance, approximately, T. L. 783 97,673.25

_Turkey-Armenian Relief Fund._

Receipts.

Advanced from General Emergency Fund $12,500.00 Contributions, _Christian Herald_ (New York) 12,500.00 Contributions, Armenian Relief Committee (New York) 3,500.00 Contributions, miscellaneous 1,187.01 ----------- Total receipts 29,687.01

Disbursements.

By cable to the American Ambassador, Constantinople $28,000.00 Repayment to General Emergency Fund 1,500.00 ----------- Total disbursements 29,500.00 ----------- Balance September 1, 1909 187.01

NOTE.—The Red Cross wishes to invite the attention of its members and friends to the amount contributed by the _Christian Herald_ for this fund. Our readers will remember the large amounts contributed by this paper in the past to various Red Cross Relief Funds, especially the following: Japanese Famine Fund, $200,000; Chinese Famine Fund, $250,000 in money and a Government transport load of food supplies, and to the Italian Earthquake Fund, $55,000.—_Editor._

Italian Earthquake Relief

From Mr. Lloyd Griscom and Lieutenant-Commander Belknap final reports have been received of the American Red Cross Relief work in Italy. A printed report of Mr. Griscom’s American Relief Committee in Rome, together with all the vouchers and correspondence of this Committee, have been sent to the American Red Cross at Washington for permanent filing in its archives. The vouchers for all expenditures have been revised and certified to by the Banca Commerciale Italiana at Rome. The vouchers for all the expenditures connected with the American Red Cross Relief Ship _Bayern_ are already on file at Washington.

Summary Of Constructive Work To June 11.

_Messina._

Cottages of standard type, built 16×20×9 feet 1,039 Grand Hotel Regina Elena, 75 bedrooms, two stories and partial third story; 100 feet central part with two wings, each 132 feet long, all finished except plaster, plumbing, lighting, Eternit roofing, and inside paint; material used equivalent to 178 Building suitable for church, material used equivalent to 24 Building attached to church, material used equivalent to 15 Laboratorio, material used equivalent to 12 Two school buildings, together equivalent in material to 12 ------ Total buildings at Messina, equivalent in material to 1,280 Material remaining at Messina for continuing construction of houses 350

_Reggio-Calabria._

Cottages of standard type 500

_Villagio Regina Elena._

Cottages of semidetached type, each 16×20 75 Hospital Elizabeth Griscom, equivalent in material used to 30 houses; plumbing, lighting, and furnishing done by Her Majesty’s staff 30

_Palmi and District._

Cottage of special smaller type built, 13×16×10, as a model, complete, and frame for a second built 1 Material sent to this district for other such houses 500

_Ali and Surrounding District._

Portable houses erected 49 Houses of Palmi type built as models 5 Roccalumera 3, Santa Teresa Riva 2, Nizza-Sicilia 2 (models of Palmi type built) 7 Material sent to this district for houses of this type 300 ------ Total built by American construction party 1,898 Total number of houses furnished 3,097

[Illustration: VITTORIO EMANUELE, KING OF ITALY.]

[Illustration: ELENA, QUEEN OF ITALY.]

Captain Belknap, on the 10th instant, consigned the completed work at Messina to the Ministry of Public Works, who then assumed charge.

Ensign Robert W. Spofford, U. S. N., remained to direct the work in general until it had become well organized under the new direction. He will also supervise the completion of certain work being done by contract not yet completed.

_Commander Belknap’s Work._

Mr. Griscom says: “The report of Captain Belknap is worthy of careful study. Its only fault is that it does not do justice to his work. I feel that it is incumbent upon me to endeavor to express to you the admiration I have for the manner in which Lieutenant-Commander Belknap has performed his duty. The magnitude of the task could only be appreciated by one who has been on the spot and seen the difficulties as they arose and witnessed the courageous and adroit manner in which he overcame all obstacles and carried to successful conclusion a work which is truly remarkable. The departure of Lieutenant-Commander Belknap from Messina was a veritable personal triumph. All the highest military and civil authorities were present at the steamship landing, together with a military band, and he was given full military honors and received a remarkable and spontaneous public demonstration of admiration. He and several of his assistants were formally made citizens of Messina. To-day he has been formally received by their majesties, the King and Queen of Italy, and had extended to him their majesties’ personal expressions of gratitude.”

_Commander Belknap’s Tributes to His Assistants._

Before closing this report, I beg to mention those who have labored so energetically and faithfully to bring about results which have been kindly commended by all who have visited the camps.

The special prominence of the services rendered by Tonente di Vascello Alfredo Brofferio stand apart from all else. He worked unremittingly in the closest association with us, his duties touching every feature of the work, and it would be impossible to place too high a value upon his far-seeing, conscientious, and self-sacrificing devotion to our success.

The Italian authorities’ cordial attitude toward us and hospitable care made away with innumerable difficulties. To their magnanimity and their earnest devotion to their own duties was due their sincere appreciation of our efforts and their frank and grateful acknowledgment of our gift to their cities.

Commander Harry P. Huse, U. S. N., commanding the U. S. S. _Celtic_, established us on a living and working basis in our camp at Messina, the _Celtic_ serving as our base until the first group of houses were ready for us, and he was most felicitous in all that he did to promote a genuine feeling of cordiality in our relations with the authorities.

Lieutenant-Commander George Wood Logan, commanding the U. S. S. _Scorpion_, gave his most cordial support and interest in the undertaking from the first, and placed every facility at our disposal.

Lieutenant Allen Buchanan, U. S. N., was the mainstay in the executive work, and I was always able to rely on his good judgment on the frequent occasions when taking counsel was necessary. He discharged his duty with unremitting industry and exemplary zeal, and he left behind him in Messina and among the members of our organization a feeling of the most uniform good will and admiration for his character and ability as an officer.

Ensign John W. Wilcox was in charge of the Reggio division of the work, which he managed with exceptional skill. He had many difficulties to contend against, but solved them with an ease and discernment that an officer of long experience might envy.

[Illustration: THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE EXPEDITION, MESSINA.]

Ensign Robert W. Spofford, U. S. N., had charge of the unloading of steamers. He has done excellent work and is left in charge of the work being completed at Messina. To Assistant Surgeon Donelson, U. S. N., for medical supervision of the camp, and to Pay Inspector J. A. Mudd, U. S. N., for the care taken in the shipment of the building materials from America, Captain Belknap gives high praise. The enlisted men of the Navy performed their work most faithfully, and Captain Belknap mentions many of them by name. This country may well be proud of the splendid work of the officers and men of our Navy so far outside their regular duties. Captain Belknap says also that thanks are due to Mr. John Elliott, who was a most devoted worker, and left his beautifying touch on every part of the work. Mr. H. W. C. Bowdoin and Mr. Charles King Wood were among the other tireless and efficient volunteer workers to whom our thanks are due. And finally, many of the master carpenters sent from America gave most satisfactory and valuable service under difficult conditions.

_Committee on American Offerings._

Of this committee Mr. Griscom says: “As you already know, after consultation with his excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Signor Tittoni, I placed the sum of 256,250 lire (the equivalent of $50,000) in the hands of a committee appointed by Mr. Tittoni, of which his wife, Donna Bice Tittoni, was Chairman. This committee has to-day handed to me its report and accompanying vouchers, which are transmitted to you herewith under separate cover. I am satisfied that this committee carried out some of the best rehabilitation work which has been done since the earthquake. It was done in a rapid and businesslike way.”

_The American Red Cross Orphanage._

Signor Bruno Chimirri, Chairman of the Committee on Orphans, called the “Patronato Regina Elena,” reports: “Being desirous of expediting the plant of the colony before the departure of the Ambassador from Rome, and not wishing to touch one single lire of the American capital, the Patronato voted 200,000 lire (about $40,000) for the building of the colony. This depended upon us, and it has been done. As to the choice of a site upon which it will be erected, it is not a question of choosing any piece of land, but a ground within the jurisdiction of the Itinerant Chair of Agriculture, in order to secure not only gratuitous teaching but also the very best obtainable. With this end in view, two months ago I addressed myself to the Minister of Agriculture, upon whom depends the Itinerant Chair that has to choose a suitable locality. I have finally brought the matter before the House of Deputies. Nor is this all. In order to facilitate the negotiations for the purchase of the land, since the Ministry would not consider the price of the proprietor, I have induced the municipality of Nicastro to contribute to the expense by paying the difference, as you will see by a copy of their decision appended hereto. As soon as we receive an answer we shall send the Professor of the Itinerant Chair to visit the proffered land, and, if his report is favorable, we shall hasten to secure possession and lay the cornerstone before Mr. Griscom’s departure.”

The Italian government consented to pay $4,800 for the land, and the District of Nicastro voted to contribute the balance of the $6,000 which was asked.

In regard to this Orphanage there is given an open letter to the American Red Cross from Mr. Anthony Matre, Secretary of the American Federation of Catholic Societies. This letter was published in some of the prominent Roman Catholic papers before it even reached the hands of the officers of the American Red Cross, an act that can hardly be considered courteous. It was referred by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Red Cross to our Ambassador at Rome, and his reply is embodied in an answer to Mr. Matre. As the Roman Catholic Church made appeals for the Italian sufferers, and the offerings it received in reply were sent to the Pope, it is probable that but a very small percentage of the contributions received by the Red Cross, possibly 5 or 10 per cent, came from members of the Roman Catholic Church. The receipts show many contributions from Protestant Churches and Sunday Schools, but none from any Roman Catholic institution, and yet, according to Mr. Matre’s figures, some 97 per cent, and, according to Mr. Griscom’s letter, 99 per cent, of these contributions must have been expended in Italy for the people of this faith. Of the funds sent to our Ambassador, a generous contribution was made to the Pope for the relief work in which he was interested, and other moneys were placed in the hands of bishops and priests in the stricken district to aid them in their work for the earthquake sufferers. The Red Cross considers neither race nor creed; its mission is to mitigate, as far as lies within its power, the sufferings of the sick and wounded in the misfortune of war or of the victims of fire, flood, famine, earthquake, pestilence, and other great disasters.

The following copies of correspondence will be of interest:

ST. LOUIS, MO., March 22, 1909.

_To the President, Secretary, and Officers of the American Red Cross Association_:

GENTLEMEN: The American Federation of Catholic Societies, representing millions of American Catholics, desire official information regarding the dispatch published in the papers of the United States on February 8th, and referring to an appropriation made by your society. The dispatch reads:

“ROME, Feb. 7.—It is officially declared that the American Red Cross, through Ambassador Griscom, has put $250,000 at the disposal of the committee organized by Queen Helena, which has undertaken the establishment of an orphanage to be devoted to the care of children left homeless and without parents by the earthquake disaster.”

[Illustration: THE ENLISTED MEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, MESSINA.]

Under date of February 6, 1909, the _Civilta Cattolica_, published at Rome, states that a national patronage of orphans, under the name of “Queen Helena,” has been erected by decree of the 14th of January, and to it has been granted all legal rights for the protection of orphans who have suffered by the recent calamity or who will need protection on account of any future disaster; that the direct administration of this orphanage is committed to a council, half of whose membership shall be appointed by royal authority and the other half by election or choice of those contributing annually to its support.

In the same paper, the _Civilta Cattolica_, of February 20, 1909, appears the following: “There has been appointed to the Presidency of the National Committee the Mayor of the first city of Italy, Erneste Nathan, a Hebrew, a very bitter enemy of Catholicism.” The same issue states that the National Committee has appointed three women to take charge of “Patronato Nazionale Regina Elene,” namely, Turin, an unknown woman, a Socialist and Freemason; Labriola, a Protestant woman (a Valdensian Protestant), and Levi, a Jewess. To them was confided the care of all orphans brought to Naples from the scene of the disaster. This charge was taken from the Nepolitan authorities because they were good Catholics.

The _Civilta Cattolica_ states: “It is evident from the entire policy of the National Committee that the Pope was refused all voice in the disposition of the orphans. He never entered into the committee’s consideration, except that it is trying and succeeding in hampering his efforts everywhere, for instance:

1. The government, _i. e._, the National Committee, refused to send any of the wounded to the hospital of Santa Marta in Rome, so that the Knights of Malta have to make up a train themselves to go to Naples in order to get the wounded.

2. The Catholic officers of the Spanish ship _Cataluna_ were hampered in the gathering of the wounded and orphans at Messina to take them to Rome for disposition of the Pope. This ship has been placed under direct control of the Pope by the Count of Comillas, the owner.

3. The Pope was interfered with in placing orphans in the care of the French priest, Santol. (The Pope has offered to care for 2,000 earthquake orphans, one-half of whom were to be put in charge of Father Santol.)”

From the above it appears that part of the money contributed by our fellow-citizens, irrespective of creed and nationality, is being used by missionary societies and others against Catholicity. Some of our Catholic fellow-citizens feared that such would likely be the case, but they nevertheless contributed liberally, thinking that in such a crisis and such distress haste was necessary and bigotry would not be allowed to have part. But from the above statements it is evident that their fears were well founded, and if it turns out that the statements are true, the Red Cross Society, though splendid in its aims, will never be trusted again by the 15,000,000 of Catholics in this country, nor by the 270,000,000 Catholics the world over.

Your organization is no doubt aware that all civilized countries now acknowledge the right of the child to be educated in the religion of its parents, and though the Red Cross Society of America may not have anything to do with the education of these children without religion, it has the right and duty to protest against funds sent from America being used in such a way as to outrage justice.

It will not be amiss to show you how few Protestants there are in Italy:

Last summer at the International Congress of Religious Liberals, held in Boston, Rev. Tony Andre, of Italy, gave these statistics: “Italy is essentially a Catholic country. Out of the 32,475,253 inhabitants enumerated in the census of 1901, 31,539,863 declared themselves Catholics; that is, 97.12 per cent of the population. All told there were 65,595 Protestants, 20,538 of whom were foreigners. At the same time, 795,276 were unwilling to say to what religion they belonged, and 36,092 declared they were of no religion.” This will show that practically all the children to be cared for are Catholics.

We address this open letter to your society and expect that you will give the matter referred to therein immediate investigation and consideration.

Very respectfully, yours,

The American Fed. Of Cath. Societies.

ANTHONY MATRE, _National Secretary_.

July 9, 1909.

Mr. ANTHONY MATRE, _Secretary, American Federation of Catholic Societies, St. Louis, Mo._

DEAR SIR: The American Red Cross is in receipt of the expected reply from the American Ambassador at Rome to an inquiry of the Embassy adverted to in my letter to you dated April 12, 1909.

Mr. Griscom states that there was no true basis for the statement published in the _Catholic Transcript_ in Rome and quoted by you in the open letter, whereby you charged the American Red Cross with grave wrong to the Italian children made orphans by the earthquake of December 28, 1908, the offense consisting in the assignment of the control of the American Red Cross Italian Orphanage, and the instruction and rearing of these orphans to non-Catholics, such as Hebrews, Masons, and Socialists.

[Illustration: AFTER WORKING HOURS, MESSINA.]

Mr. Griscom, to whom I sent a copy of your attack upon the Red Cross, brought the matter to the attention of Countess Spalletti Rasponi, the President of the Queen’s Orphanage, who, as such, has general supervision over the branch of the same known as the American Red Cross Orphanage, and for which latter Mr. Bruno Chimerri is Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The following is a translation of a quotation from a letter from the Countess Spalletti to Mr. Griscom, the American Ambassador, dated Rome, April 19, 1909:

“After reading the article published in the _Catholic Transcript_ of March 25, 1909, I consider myself, as the President of the Queen’s Orphanage, bound to reassure your excellency, and send you some information regarding the system pursued by those placed in control of the orphans in choosing a place for the orphans and abandoned minors, with the tutelage of whom we have been charged by the royal decree, dated January 14, 1909.

“The number of wretched creatures left destitute of any support and guidance being considerable, we have undertaken to take the place, as far as possible, of the parents in their education and start in life. We have proceeded in accordance with this principle, and have decided that the minors should be, as far as possible, brought up in the religion of their parents, and educated in conformity with the conditions in which their families were, with the only tendency to ameliorate those conditions. We consider it to be our duty to bring up these children in the religion of their parents.

“Referring to the article published in the _Catholic Transcript_, I have to point out that the Mayor of Rome, Mr. Nathan, is not the President of the Queen’s Orphanage. He has no connection with it whatever, but is President of the Executive Board of the Central Relief Committee for the earthquake sufferers, of which committee his royal highness, the Duke of Aosta, is the President....

“It is, moreover, to be noted that the President of the Palmi Subcommittee is the Bishop of Milito, Monsignor Morabito. Our representative in Messina has been another most worthy Catholic Priest, the Rev. Luigi Orione.

“I am confident that this summary will be sufficient to remove from the souls of American Catholics all apprehensions.”

In forwarding this letter, Mr. Griscom, our Ambassador to Rome, remarks in substance:

“You will observe that the governing body of the Queen’s Orphanage have exercised the greatest care to place Protestant orphans in Protestant hands and Catholic orphans in Catholic hands. I am satisfied that this wise policy has been consistently carried out. American Protestant Missions have received the tutelage of the children of the members of their missions in cases where there were no surviving relatives to assume the burden. I am satisfied the _Catholic Transcript_ would not have published such an article had they been in possession of the full facts....

“You will be interested in knowing that long before I heard from you on this subject the head of one of our American Protestant Missions in Rome stated to me that he understood our orphanage was to be governed and managed by Catholic priests, and that the Protestant contributors of money in America would never tolerate such a thing. When I explained to him the policy of those in charge of the Queen’s Orphanage in regard to orphans, he seemed thoroughly satisfied. It is interesting that we should have received a protest from the Protestant Church that the Catholics are being favored, and then that the leading Catholic papers in America should publish an article implying that the Catholics are receiving unfair treatment.

“The very nature of the organization and the legal status of the orphanage work under the Queen’s patronage makes it impossible that it should be governed in the interest of one denomination....

“In my opinion, the Queen’s Orphanage is entitled to our admiration and respect for the very just and liberal policy adopted to solve the very delicate questions raised by the different religious denominations of the orphans. During the whole of this trying period I have not received a single complaint from any of the American Protestant Missions with regard to the disposition of the orphans belonging to their denomination; nor has any complaint from a Catholic source been brought to my knowledge until you forwarded me the clipping from the _Catholic Transcript_. I am extremely disappointed that such a fair-minded paper should have failed to do justice to the perfectly correct course of the Italian authorities with regard to the religion of the earthquake orphans.

“It goes without saying that a great part of the moneys which came from America through the American Red Cross and otherwise went to the assistance of Catholics. The money received by Protestant Italians would be a minute fraction of 1 per cent. It seems strange that there should be any expression of discontent from any Catholic source.

[Illustration: MOVING-IN DAY. ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO OCCUPY AN AMERICAN COTTAGE, MESSINA.]

“On the other hand, I am most happy to say that we have the most gratifying expressions of appreciation from such persons as Archbishop Ireland, the Archbishop of Messina, the Bishop of Milito, and other distinguished prelates of the Catholic Church.”

The Red Cross has no method of knowing how much or what part of the amounts received for Italian earthquake relief (about $1,000,000) was contributed by Catholics. Assuming that the proportion this part bore to the whole was the same as the ratio of the Catholic population of the United States to the whole population, then the funds of Catholic origin, so to speak, received by the Red Cross must have been one-seventh or one-sixth of the whole.

It seems to be established as a fact that there was no sufficient basis for your charge that the American Red Cross had adopted a course that would or did result in the perversion of faith of the Catholic orphans. Those appointed by the King to the solemn trust of rearing these orphans are discharging their duty conscientiously. The prelates of the Catholic Church on the spot are thoroughly familiar with what was ordered to be done and with what is being done in this regard, and they will be careful to note and call attention to any deviation from conditions imposed by royal warrant and by justice.

Your letter to me of March 22, 1909, was given to the press before it reached me, and before you had taken pains to inquire into the proofs relied on to support the assertions which were the basis for your arraignment of the Red Cross.

I have sent copies of this letter to the Catholic press of the United States, in the belief that the readers of the original charge are entitled to know what are the actual facts respecting the measures taken by those applying the generous contributions of American Catholics and non-Catholics to insure the rearing and instruction of the earthquake orphans in the faith of their fathers.

The American Ambassador in Rome is a member of the permanent Executive Committee of the American Red Cross Italian Orphanage.

Yours, very sincerely,

GEO. W. DAVIS, _Chairman, Central Committee_.

_Disposal of Balance of Italian Fund._

As the American Red Cross was desirous of bringing to an end its Italian relief work, an inquiry was made of our Embassy in Rome as to the best use to be made of a small balance of funds still in hand. It was advised to contribute this amount to the Queen of Italy for the benefit of her relief work in the model village of Regina Helena, built for the refugees near Messina, and in which her majesty is deeply interested. In acknowledgement of this gift of $5,000 the following letter was sent to the American Ambassador:

COURT OF HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN, ROME, July 3, 1909.

EXCELLENCY: Her majesty, the Queen, has charged me to request you to thank the American Red Cross for the relief it has so generously given to the refugees of the Sicilian disaster.

Count P. DI Trinita.

_Testimonials of Gratitude._

On June 19 the American Red Cross received from the Italian Red Cross a beautiful gold medal and diploma as tokens of appreciation of the assistance rendered by America after the earthquake in Sicily and Calabria.

Cuts of the medal are shown herewith, and below are printed the letter of the President of the Italian Red Cross transmitting the medal and diploma, and the letter of the President of the American Red Cross in acknowledgment.

ROME, ITALY, April 19, 1909.

ILLUSTRIOUS SIR: In the never-to-be-forgotten calamity by which she was overcome Italy has found but one solace. It was to feel, to know, that the sorrow was universal, and that the heart of the world throbbed in unison with hers.

Touching evidence of human solidarity came to us from every part of your glorious Republic, but every burst of charity was outdone by the Red Cross, over which you preside, sir, and which assisted her Italian sister with a supreme munificence of relief.

May you find the medal and diploma we now send you as tokens of our gratitude, of which, however, they are but a modest outward sign, acceptable. More durably than in the metal is our gratefulness engraved in the hearts of the Italians, whose mindful blessings will stand as the sacred heritage of the generations to come.

R. TAVERNA, _President, Italian Red Cross_.

To the PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, _Washington, D. C._

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 22, 1909.

SIR: I have received your courteous communication of April 19 last, with which you transmit a gold medal and diploma, presented by the Italian National Red Cross to the American National Red Cross, as testimonials of gratitude for the contributions furnished by the latter for the sufferers from the earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily.

As President of the American National Red Cross it affords me great pleasure to accept these testimonials in behalf of the association, not only because of their beauty and intrinsic worth, but as tokens of the humanitarian spirit which joins the world in fraternal kinship in times of great distress.

Not less valued that they are the sentiments of generous appreciation on the part of the Italian Red Cross, to which you give expression in your communication.

I beg you to be so good as to convey to the Italian Red Cross the thanks and appreciation of the American Red Cross for their considerate action, and am,

Very cordially, yours,

WM. H. TAFT, _President, American National Red Cross_.

COUNT R. TAVERNA, _President, Italian Red Cross_.

_Translation of Inscription on Medal Received from the Italian Red Cross._

[Illustration]

Inscription of the circle around the medal: To the well deserving of the Italian Red Cross.

Inscription on medal: To the American National Red Cross: most generous cooperation in the relief of the sufferers of the earthquake in Calabria, Sicily, 1908.

_Translation of Inscription on Diploma Received from the Italian Red Cross Society._

Italian Red Cross.

Under the high patronage of their Majesties, the King and the Queen, and of her Majesty, the Queen Mother.

Association incorporated by law of May 30, 1882. No. 768, Side Series.

Under Articles 115 and 116 of the Organic By-Laws, upon the motion of the Honorable President of the Association of the Central Committee, in its deliberations of the 3d of April, 1909, has been awarded the Diploma of Honor to the American National Red Cross. Rome, April 3, 1909.

R. TAVERNA, _President of the Association_.

_A Token of Gratitude from the Italian Government._

On May 17 Miss Boardman received a letter from Baron Mayor des Planches, the Italian Ambassador at Washington, of which a translation is given below, with Miss Boardman’s reply:

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 17, 1909.

DEAR MISS BOARDMAN: Have you seen the _Literary Digest_ of the 15th, which betrays an official secret? The Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Tittoni, has written me that the government of the King desired to send you a decoration, but unfortunately the statutes of our chivalresque orders do not permit the decoration of women. Our gratitude toward you will be testified by an artistic gift, which we hope you will accept as a souvenir of the benefits you have rendered.

Believe me, dear Miss Boardman, very sincerely,

E. Mayor.

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 17, 1909.

DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: I have not seen the _Literary Digest_ to which you refer. Permit me to express my deep appreciation of the intention of his majesty’s government to present to me some testimonial in recognition of the American Red Cross work in Italy.

It has been for some time the intention of our society to take under consideration the question of permitting members to receive gifts or testimonials because of any special work of relief in which they have taken part. Therefore, should the plan of his majesty’s government to present to me some testimonial be as yet not so advanced as to cause any embarrassment if not carried out, I would be glad to have it held in abeyance until the question is decided.

But as there exists no regulation of this nature at present, if this plan has been so advanced that my not receiving this testimonial would cause any embarrassment to his majesty’s government, or to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, please take no action in the matter.

Permit me to again express to your excellency my sincere appreciation, and to say whatever should be decided I shall always value the intention of such kindly recognition of the American Red Cross and its work on the part of the Italian government.

Please accept, Mr. Ambassador, the expression of my highest esteem and my heartiest good wishes for the return of prosperity to Sicily and Calabria.

Yours, sincerely,

Mabel T. Boardman.

To this letter the Ambassador replied that the testimonial had already been completed, and he begged that no action against its acceptance be taken.

[Illustration: THE ELIZABETH GRISCOM HOSPITAL AT VILLAGIO DE REGINA ELENA. IN PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION.]

A beautiful reproduction in yellow gold of the ancient civic crown of Rome, sent in a most artistic leather jewel case, was later presented to Miss Boardman, in the name of the Italian government, by the Marquis Montagliari, the Italian Charge d’Affairs, in the absence of the Ambassador. On a plate in the case is engraved:

To Miss Mabel Boardman Of the American Red Cross Society. The Italian Government as a Token of Gratitude. 1908-1909.

A translation of the graceful letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Signor Tittoni, which accompanied the gift, is given below:

ROME, June 16, 1909.

ILLUSTRIOUS LADY: The royal Ambassador has already expressed, and will reiterate, to you the sentiments of our gratitude for the highly generous work inspired by you, and accomplished with such intelligent love, during the terrible disaster which overwhelmed our country at the end of the last year.

Now I desire to address you personally, offering to you, in the name of the government and the Italian people, an object which is inspired by our artistic traditions, and which will serve to recall to you the benefactions rendered and the memory which we preserve thereof.

We have wished to see in the action, so prompt, so efficacious, so vast, and so enduring of the American Red Cross, something more than a simple evidence of human fraternity. We love to consider it a fresh proof of the spiritual ties by which the United States feel themselves bound to the Mother Italy; therefore this action has been doubly dear to us. To you belongs so large a share of the merit, allow us to see personified in yourself all the feminine grace of the institution which has known how to give expression to these ties in the form most acceptable to the grateful beneficiaries.

With the most cordial regards, yours, most devotedly,

Tittoni.

YOUR EXCELLENCY: Permit me to express, through you, to the Italian government and to the people of Italy my most profound appreciation of the honor conferred upon me by the presentation of the beautiful reproduction of the civic crown of Rome, as a token of gratitude for the sympathy and assistance of the American Red Cross after the terrible disaster in Sicily and Calabria.

It was with a sense of the greatest sorrow and the sincerest sympathy that the people of the United States, through their Red Cross Society, found means to express in tangible form these heartfelt emotions. To many of our people Italy is the motherland, and to many others she has given so rich a treasury of art and literature that we must remain forever in her debt. Stricken by one of the great and mysterious forces of nature, thousands of her people were destroyed and thousands were left homeless, suffering, and in dire distress. Our people, overwhelmed by her misfortune, were glad, in the spirit of brotherly love, to take some share in her assistance.

That the Italian government selected as a token of gratitude an object around which clusters the great traditions of ancient Rome moves us deeply, and will be an inspiration for our Red Cross to continue constant in its efforts to conquer suffering and be worthy of such recognition.

Permit me to express my own gratitude, and to say that what little I have been able to do personally has been done with sincere affection for Italy and her people, and because of the sympathetic and hearty support of our people and Red Cross officers.

With earnest wishes for the prosperity of your country, and for the speedy rehabilitation of the stricken communities, and with cordial regards and many thanks for your excellency’s most kind communication, I am

Yours, sincerely,

Mabel T. Boardman.

Senator TITTONI, _Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy_.

On June 10, 1909, the Executive Committee adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, It has sometimes occurred that members of the American Red Cross, engaged in some special work, have been presented with gifts because of appreciation of this work; and,

WHEREAS, The Executive Committee of the American Red Cross considers that this is an unwise custom to permit to continue; and,

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross itself provides a medal of merit for recognition of especially meritorious relief work;

_Be it resolved_, That hereafter no member of the American Red Cross shall be permitted to receive any valuable gift in recognition of special relief work in which he or she has taken part, and that no testimonial or medal shall be accepted without authority of the Executive Committee.

Portuguese Earthquake Relief

[Illustration]

LISBON, PORTUGAL, August 5, 1909.

_The American National Red Cross, Washington, D. C._

GENTLEMEN: Through His Excellency, Colonel Page Bryan, American Minister at Lisbon, we have just received your new contribution of $300 for our Earthquake Relief Fund, your credit on that account having thus risen to $1,300.

We beg to present to you our earnest thanks for this generous manifestation of your sympathy and take the liberty of enclosing a photo showing the design of the houses you kindly have aided us to build for 160 families of the poorest classes in the four villages destroyed by the earthquake.

Very faithfully, yours,

Pela Sociedade Portugueza Da Cruz Vermelha,

G. L. SANTOS FERREIRA, Secretary.

Canal Zone Red Cross

By Major C. A. DEVOL, U. S. Army.

Of the three great classes of Red Cross work, war relief, international relief and emergency relief, the last is the field in which the Canal Zone Branch is making itself peculiarly useful.

[Illustration: PRESIDENT TAFT ADDRESSING AUDIENCE OF RED CROSS MEMBERS AT THE Y. M. C. A., CULEBRA.]

On the Canal Zone there is less need of such an organization in some ways than there would be in a community of 50,000 people in the United States, because here the government, through the Isthmian Canal Commission, maintains a good system of hospitals and district physicians, and also because there are few people here who cannot work, and almost none who cannot get work if they want it. But there is a limit beyond which the Commission may not go in the expenditure of government funds, and, broadly, that limit is that it may not aid people who are not employed on the Canal work. To the cases that lie outside this limit the Red Cross addresses itself.

[Illustration: VIEW OF HOSPITAL GROUNDS FROM ENTRANCE, ANCON.]

[Illustration: WRECK OF STEAM SHOVEL NO. 261. BAS OBISPO, DECEMBER 12, 1908.]

An instance arose recently in Colon, where a family was destitute because it had been deserted by the husband and father. The mother and three children were kept alive by private subscription until the Red Cross was organized. The Red Cross then sent the family to New York, where the members of the Masonic order came to their relief and sent them to the mother’s home in England. The Commission could not help in such a case, but the Red Cross could, and did.

A citizen of France, living near Tabernilla, and not employed on the Canal work, was bitten by a mad dog a few weeks ago. He had no money to pay his way to a Pasteur Institute; attempts to inoculate for hydrophobia on the Isthmus have been of uncertain value, and the Commission could not send a non-employee to the United States. The Red Cross appropriated $50 for his steamship fare to New York and he was successfully treated in the Pasteur Institute in that city.

[Illustration: CULEBRA CUT. LOOKING SOUTH. FEBRUARY, 1905.]

A Spanish laborer who had lost both his legs on the Isthmus was sent to New York by the Commission, where he was fitted with two cork legs and then sent back to his home in Spain. The Red Cross gave him $50 to help him on his way, for the Commission could not advance more than his actual transportation and medical fees.

Not long ago a Boer, who had become naturalized as an American, was declared so far gone with tuberculosis that he could not work on the Isthmus nor remain here with safety. He had been in Mexico a few years before, and felt sure that if he could return to the plateau region his health would be restored. The Red Cross advanced him $150 to defray his expenses—in other words, gave him another chance for his life.

A number of cases have been relieved where the necessity was just as pressing but where a smaller amount was sufficient.

It is not improbable that there may be a call for immediate relief on a larger scale before the Canal is completed and the Americans in this big construction camp pass on to other work. If an accident occurs, it will find a thorough organization with funds in hand and ready to begin work without any preliminaries.

Lectures on first aid are delivered by the district physicians along the line of the Canal to members of the police and fire departments. To what extent this instruction will aid in time of emergency is conjectural, but it should have the effect of adding instructed men to the corps of nurses and doctors in case of a big accident. It is probable, however, that there is no place on earth where the hospital corps is so well equipped to give prompt aid as on the Canal Zone. On this account, the instruction of the police and firemen is not likely to prove such a benefit as it would in a less thoroughly organized community.

[Illustration: GATUN DAM SITE. LOOKING EAST FROM SPILLWAY. AUGUST, 1908.]

The Canal Zone Branch has already spent about $500 in its relief work, and its balance on July 1, 1909, was $1,577.17.

The suggestion that a branch of the American National Red Cross be organized on the Canal Zone was made by Miss Mabel T. Boardman, member of the Executive Committee, to Major C. A. Devol, U. S. A., Chief Quartermaster of the Isthmian Canal Commission, in a letter dated October 26, 1908. At the request of Major Devol, Major Lynch, of the Medical Department, U. S. A., author of the text-book, “How to Prevent Accidents and What to Do for Injuries and Emergencies,” came to the Isthmus in January, 1909, and addressed Red Cross meetings at Ancon, Culebra, Gorgona and Cristobal. Major Devol accompanied Major Lynch, and invited all persons interested to help organize a Canal Zone Branch. On January 17, at a meeting held in the Hotel Tivoli, at Ancon, a permanent organization was effected, with Major C. A. Devol as president; Mr H. D. Reed, treasurer; Miss J. Macklin Beattie, secretary. The Canal Zone was divided into fourteen districts, and the work of perfecting district organizations was begun. At a meeting held in the Hotel Tivoli, February 28, twelve district organizations were represented. The central organization was perfected by electing Mrs. Lorin C. Collins, Lieutenant-Colonel John L. Phillips, Major Chester Harding, and Mr. A. Bruce Minear an executive committee; and Mr. W. W. Warwick, auditor. A Committee on First Aid Lectures was appointed, consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips and Mr. H. D. Reed.

A noteworthy event in the early history of the Canal Zone Branch was the visit of President-elect Taft, National President of the Red Cross, to the Canal Zone in February, 1909. On the night of February 3 he made an address at the Commission Club house in Culebra, in which he outlined the work of the Red Cross. The meeting was attended by over 1,200 members of the Red Cross, and had a marked effect in arousing popular interest in this most important work.

The Canal Zone has now a membership of 1,300, divided among fourteen districts. The following are the officers of the district organizations:

Ancon—Dr. John L. Phillips, chairman. Corozal—Alfred P. James, chairman. Pedro Miguel—Ernest Bitely, chairman. Paraiso—Harry Dundas, chairman. Culebra—Mrs. C. A. Devol, chairman. Gatun—Major William L. Sibert, chairman. Cristobal—Dr. M. E. Connor, chairman. Empire—W. M. Wood, acting chairman. Las Cascadas—Mrs. Frank I. McAllister, acting chairman. Bas Obispo—X. D. Holt, acting chairman. Camp Elliott—Mrs. B. F. Fuller, acting chairman. Gorgona—Mrs. Frank M. Morrison, acting chairman. San Pablo—V. L. Kearney, acting chairman. Tabernilla—C. D. Thaxton, acting chairman.

The Use And Abuse Of The Red Cross Brassard

By G. H. RICHARDSON, M. D., Late First Lieutenant Medical Reserve Corps, U. S. A.

In a War Department order issued on February 10, 1909, the importance of regulating the issue of brassards to those entitled to neutrality by virtue of the first paragraph of article 9, and arti