[Enclosure—Telegram]
The Commissioner for Europe of the American
Red Cross (Olds) to the American Red Cross at
Washington
[Paris,] December 1, 1920.
22261. Summarizing Crimean refugee situation, Davis39 reports evacuation began November
11th. First ship arrived harbor Constantinople 15th. French
Government taking responsibility began
[Page 636]
send small rations to ships, but at first
their organization worked slowly taking two days get food
aboard, so that some refugees had practically no food for five
days. American Red Cross therefore began supply half rations
reaching ships in the course of few hours. Best record was
sending 6,000 rations to one ship within twenty minutes after
telephone call for assistance. This work prevented actual
starvation.
November 17th. Admiral Bristol asked
representatives Am[erican Bed] Cross, Near East Relief,
Y.M.C.A., Constantinople College, Robert College and others meet
with American Government representatives. This conference
decided:
- 1.
- Telegraph U.S. State Department asking assistance from
Government and American charitable organizations.
- 2.
- Petition French High Commissioner transfer refugees
milder climate.
- 3.
- Telegraph Washington requesting visas for selected
Russian refugees to enter United States.
November 20th. Admiral Bristol, in view
communication from Amcross, Washington, asking Constantinople
Chapter to form Disaster Preparedness Committee, called second
meeting and organized Disaster Relief Committee with Davis on
Executive Committee. This committee functioning effectively,
refugees landed from worst ships and Amcross supplying rations
while ships cleaned under temporary control U. S. Navy, and
refugees then re-embarked. Davis meanwhile continuing
distribution food supplies, medicines, disinfectants to ships in
harbor, and reports situation tolerable if food supplies hold
out and he can care for sick. Today’s cables to French
Government however indicate situation Constantinople becoming
more serious from health view-point, and grave outbreak sickness
feared.
Transfer to other regions proceeding as indicated by following
figures given us today by French Foreign Office:
| Constantinople camps |
36,000 |
| Constantinople Hospital |
4,500 |
| ships |
40,000 |
| Gallipoli |
18,000 |
| Lemnos |
16,000 |
| Bulgaria |
2,000 |
| Roumania |
2,000 |
| Cattaro |
9,000 |
| Enroute and miscellaneous |
13,000 |
| Total |
140,000[sic] |
whereof 103,000 soldiers and families, 7,000
wounded, 30,000 civilians.
[Page 637]
Admiral Andrews requested Amcross assistance handling Adriatic
end. Food, medical supplies, clothing from Amcross stores
Salonika now being despatched Cattaro, and two Amcross
representatives from Paris headquarters leaving immediately with
francs 200,000 from Russian Embassy fund to co-operate with
Andrews in relief measures. Davis authorized use Constantinople
supplies without limit. Two medical units already on the way to
Montenegro available for hospitalization work there.
Survey entire situation convinces us Russian refugee problem may
be serious, continuing liability for several months. Therefore
urge importance laying facts before Russian Embassy, with
suggestion that all resources at its command made available to
permit effective relief work to go on. Cash advances thus far
made are immensely helpful but grossly inadequate. Prompt action
essential.
Arrived Paris yesterday morning.
