File No. 814.48/9b
The Secretary of State to Chargé Thurston
Washington , December 28, 1917, 6 p.m.
Your December 27, 6 p.m. Following from American Red Cross:
American Red Cross desires render assistance at Guatemala. Requests by cable immediate detailed information extent and nature of need and of funds and personnel for administration of emergency relief now in progress. State fully what funds now available and prospective and from what sources. What supplies, food, clothing, medicines or building materials are required for emergency needs? What total amount required for relief of suffering for next two months? Red [Page 756] Cross requests organization American committee not exceeding nine persons representing Guatemala, Red Cross Chapter and others in your judgment competent to advise and assist in control of Red Cross contribution and of its relief work. This committee to include yourself as chairman and as executive officer and American chosen by committee. Red Cross desires most efficient administration, ample current reports of progress of work and later full detailed financial accounting and narrative report of results. You may draw on State Department for 5,000 dollars immediately available from American Red Cross upon your determining feasibility of organization suggested above. Further amounts may be requested upon definite statement of needs and purposes.