WRIGLEY'S With its refreshing sweetness and long- The same popularity that WRIGLEY'S The Flavor Lasts! Please mention the Red Cross Magazine when you ask about these goods The RED CROSS MAGAZINE The Official Organ of the American National Red Cross VOL. XIII COVER DESIGN December, 1918 No. 12 Jessie Willcox Smith Painted for the American Red Cross; by courtesy of "Good Housekeeping" FRONTISPIECE THE PRAYER OF THE WOMEN (poem) Sara Teasdale William G. Shepherd ARTHUR W. PAGE JOHN S. PHILLIPS Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, act of October 3, 1917, authorized on June 14, 1918. Please address all correspondence to Garden City, N. Y. This device is fastened on the wall Your Coal Will Not Save Itself Fuel and heating experts say that an automatic damper regulator is essential to the economical operation of any furnace. We cannot too strongly recommend the Western Electric This little device regulates the drafts of the furnace so that just enough coal is burned to maintain an even temperature of 68°—the temperature that is prescribed by the Fuel Administrator. Before you retire, set the regulator just as you would an alarm clock and it will regulate the fire for a low temperature at night and 68 degrees when you awake. + How Your Red Cross is seeking to aid the French --by caring for her thousands of refugees-old men and women, children and babies, the sick and afflicted—and providing them with food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. -by maintaining the morale of the soldiers' families and, as a result, that of the armies in the field. -by helping in the fight against tuberculosis. -and by reconstructing ruined cities and villages reconquered from the foe. This has been the most stupendous task to which the American Red Cross ever set its hand. Since the War began and including appropriations up to Jan. 1st, next, more than $42,000,000 will have been expended among the civilian population in France. (This sum does not include any disbursement or appropriation for military relief.) Refugee relief and reconstruction of devastated areas On March 1st, 1917, before American participation in the war there were more than 400,000 destitute refugees in France, made homeless by the German campaigns of 1914 and 1916. They have all been provided for by the American Red Cross. Up to December 31st, 1917, grants of goods for refugees had been made through 78 organizations and 28 prefects, mayors and other local officials. 74,372 articles of clothing, 257 layettes for children, over 25,000 yards of cloth and dress making supplies, sewing machines, etc., in addition to food-stuffs and medical supplies were distributed. More than 20 departments of France were canvassed by Red Cross workers-sanitary homes were provided for 11,000 families almost immediately, either by renovating unoccupied buildings, or completing unfinished houses. The retreat of the Germans to the so-called Hindenburg Line witnessed the systematic destruction by the Germans of the cities and villages evacuated. Houses which remained standing were roofless, windowless and all furniture had been removed or destroyed. As many of these houses were made habitable as possible and homeless refugees were induced to return to their former homes. Seven villages were entirely reconstructed and accommodated an average population of 300. In the agricultural districts, implements, seeds, building materials, etc., were supplied. Up to July 1st, 1918, $5,557,605.75 was expended in this work among the refugees, reclaiming devastated areas and in the reconstruction of villages. The appropriation for the current six months calls for disbursements of $6,212,280.70 for the care of refugees and $1,094,912.28 for the rehabilitation of villages. Fighting Tuberculosis So severe had been the privations of war among the refugees of the battle area that tuberculosis had gained great headway. The fight against this scourge began immediately upon the arrival of the Red Cross in France. The disbursements up to July 1st this year were $2,147,327.00. Seventy-six tuberculosis hospitals have been completed. Requisitions for goods have been approved for 96 provisional hospitals containing 5,610 beds, all to be in operation by Fall. The appropriation for the current six months is $2,582,456.14. + Caring for Children Up to July 1st, 1918, $1,149,129.70 had been disbursed in the care of French children. The appropriation for this fine and most satisfying of all Red Cross work to January 1st next is $2,775,877.19. More than 100,000 have been reached by American Red Cross aid through its hospitals and assistance given to French societies. Under the slogan "visit every baby in France," the Red Cross campaign for 1918 has had three main objects— to increase nursing service in the direction of child welfare work. to increase welfare stations throughout France one or two in every Province. and to assist all hospitals, clinics and organizations engaged in welfare work. It is estimated that 80,000 French babies died last year, 40,000 of whom might have been saved. One of the vital objects of the Red Cross is to save those 40,000 babies and more during the current year. Other Disbursements Re-educating mutilated soldiers and non-combatants in trades which will enable them to be self-supporting calls for an expenditure of $256,438.60. Donations to the Society of Friends, a kindred activity, and the Woman's Relief Corps amounted to $450,798.24. Transportation of Red Cross workers and their supplies and equipment calls for an expenditure in the current six months of $2,056,767.54. Donations of medical supplies, surgical instruments and modern sanitary equipment to hospitals and institutions both at the front and in the rear will amount to $4,385,964.91 by January 1st. Operating expenses-the purchase of merchandise and supplies-providing for 3,000 American Red Cross workers-insurance-rent-labor-warehousing-shipping. These necessary expenditures make up the balance of the sum required to carry on this work. In view of recent military events, the vast territories reconquered, the large number of refugees such great military operations will produce and the tremendous expansion of all Red Cross activities resulting, the expenditures till January 1st next may possibly exceed earlier estimates as covered by the appropriations. BULLETIN NO. 4 -issued by the War Council of the American Red Cross to show the American people how their generous contributions are being expended in the interest of humanity. + |