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Show II GROSS i GI! I1IS Appropriations totaling $1,771,990 have been made by the war council of i the American National Red Cross for activities of the American Red Cross in Italy for the period from November Novem-ber 1, 1917, to May 1, 1918, according to information received at Mountain division headquarters of the American Red Cross. The statement sent out by Henry P. Davison, chairman of the Red Cross war council, is as follows: "The Red Cross war council has appropriated ap-propriated $4,771,990 for activities of the American Red Cross In Italy from November 1, 1917, to May 1, 191S. These appropriations are based upon the cabled recommendations embodying embody-ing the results of observation and inquiry in-quiry to Major Grayson M. P. Murphy, Red Cross commissioner to Europe, and also by the permanent operating commission headed by Robert P. Perkins, Per-kins, of New York, which has arrived in Italy. "Red Cross activities in Italy were undertaken upon a large scale after the receipt on November 2 of a cablev gram from Ambassador Page to the effect that assistance was needed instantly. in-stantly. Major Murphy was requested to go to Italy to investigate conditions, and he reported by cable: " 'When we reached Italy, refugees In critical condition were streaming down from the north. Indescribably pathetic conditions existed, involving separations of mothers and children, and cold, hunger, disease and death. The unexpected military reverse of the Italians had stunned the nation. If ever evidences of friendship and confidence con-fidence were welcome to a country, it was in those days before the Piave line was established. Fortunately, the American Red Cross was in a position' to not only respond Immediately to the call of the suffering, but also to carry car-ry the message of the American people peo-ple to Italy in the hour of he'r distress. Working in conjunction with our own state department and the Italian government, gov-ernment, which received us most eagerly eag-erly in the spirit in which we came, we used every available means of supply sup-ply and distribution to assist the ally of our country.' "In November and December, the American Red Cross put M the disposal dis-posal of its temporary commission for work in Italy, $2,988,464. This amount has been used mostly, for emergency military and civilian relief, and for tho formation of a contingent relief rund; tho foregoing includes ?1,08S,85G for the purchase of foodstuffs, medical supplies and blankets in this country, and $407,808 for surgical dressings, all of which are being forwarded with all possible speed from the United States to Italy. "In response to cable advices, recently re-cently received from Mr. Perkins, head of tho new commission to Italy, giving estimates of probable cost of operation for the immediate future, the war council of the American Rod Cross has appropriated $1j062,016. Included In-cluded In' this amount is $800,087 for Military relief, made up as follows: Soldiers at tho front, $50,000; surgical dressiug service, $00,000; hospital I service, $415,870; ambulance service, $120,000; canteen and rest houses, $120,000; administration expenses, $5,-000." $5,-000." "To render aid to tho civilian population popu-lation of Italy, through caring for hundreds hun-dreds of refugees, operating canteens for civilians, and for other measures of relief, $692,580 has. been appropriated. appropri-ated. "Other appropriations are as follows: fol-lows: For transportation to cover cost of automobiles, gasoline, rental of cars and garages, transportation insurance in-surance and salaries of those filling positions for which volunteers cannot be secured, $59,381; for bureau of purchases, $17,969; for secretarial bu-rea, bu-rea, to cover cost of office furniture, salaries of clerks, supplies consumed in operating, telephone, postage, ren-I ren-I tals, telegraph, express, publicity, etc., $41,35p; for bureau of finance and ac- counts, salaries of clerks, cost of sta-! tionory, etc., $14,280; for bureau of stores, to cover salaries of clerks at Rome in branch warehouses and for labor, printing, stationery, traveling, insurane and rentals, $35,5S1. "The total amount thus appropriated appropriat-ed as a budget from January 1 to May 1 for all military relief, civilian relief and other purposes, is $1,662,(016. "In addition the war council has authorized Mr. Perkins to apply to Surgical dressing service and hospital service, $32,230, and for relief of refugees refu-gees and for children's work, $S9,2S0, which had been received in local donations. dona-tions. ! |