File No. 811.142/1698

The Acting Chairman of the Central Committee of the American Red Cross ( Murray ) to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: In view of the vain endeavors of the American Red Cross since October last to obtain permission from the Allied Governments to ship hospital supplies to the Central Empires, and of the suggestion made by Great Britain in its memorandum of July 28 (copy of which is enclosed)1 that the American Red Cross reestablish in the Central Empires the hospital units it withdrew in October last owing to lack of funds, the American Red Cross would now be pleased to have you request the Central [Page 957] powers that it be authorized to establish one or two hospital units, to consist of six doctors and eight nurses each, in each of the countries of the Central powers; this for the purpose of giving relief to the sick and wounded of those countries by means of these units and hospital supplies which the Allied Governments will authorize to be shipped to and used by them.

Yours very sincerely,

Arthur Murray
  1. See preceding telegram No. 4625.