893.48/1213a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China ( Johnson )
279. Admiral Grayson, Chairman of the American Red Cross, has asked the Department of State to inform you that the Red Cross has appropriated $100,000 to be used for medical and hospital supplies and services in the Far East and that the Red Cross would be gratified if, after consultation with Admiral Yarnell,15 Consul General Gauss, Colonel Watteville of the International Red Cross Committee, and [Page 631] other interested and informed persons, you would radio suggestions and recommendations on how $50,000 of these funds may best be employed to accomplish the maximum service to those in need of medical care.
Admiral Grayson would also appreciate your specific recommendation for the allocation of the above-mentioned $50,000 to hospitals and committees taking into consideration such requests as the American Episcopal St. Luke’s Hospital presented by Commercial Attaché Arnold in his radiogram of September 1516 and the statement of the Mayor of Canton, as reported by the Consul General there in his telegram of September 28, 3 p.m.,16 that foreign medical supplies and services would be welcome.
In connection with the appeal of Dr. J. Heng Liu on behalf of the Chinese National Red Cross Society forwarded in your telegram No. 676 of September 18, 1 p.m., it is the intention of Admiral Grayson, if you approve, to purchase and ship to the Chinese Red Cross medical supplies to cost approximately $20,000. If you believe this should be done, could you obtain and radio at the earliest possible moment an itemized list of supplies most urgently needed. With such a list it is believed that an early shipment could be made from Manila or some other nearby point.
It is Admiral Grayson’s hope that you will find it practicable to bring into your consultation with reference to the allotment of funds as mentioned above our various governmental representatives who are active in the present situation.
The Department realizes that you will probably wish to ask Gauss to handle those aspects of the matter which relate to Shanghai and that you may wish to consult Canton and possibly other offices.
Please give this matter urgent attention and reply as soon as possible.