Very sincerely yours,
WM. H. TAFT,
_President, American National Red Cross_.
His Excellency, VISCOUNT S. AOKI, _Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary_, Japanese Embassy, Washington, D. C.
That, after the great expense incurred by the late war and the need of
relief at home on a large scale for the famine stricken provinces, so
generous an expression of sympathy for the sufferers in California was
made by the people of Japan, is most deeply appreciated by the American
National Red Cross and the American people.
Up to the date of going to press the Red Cross has received from the
State Branches and from other sources $2,275,489.56. Four hundred
thousand dollars of this amount has been transmitted to Mr. James
Phelan, as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the consolidated Relief
Committee and Red Cross, and the remainder is subject to the call of
this committee, any sum being at its request immediately forwarded by
telegraph to San Francisco through the U. S. Sub-Treasuries, and placed
to Mr. Phelan’s credit.
As the general principle of the Red Cross is that money is most wisely
expended as far as possible, near the scene of disaster so as to
stimulate the somewhat paralyzed business-life, and expended by those,
who—taking part in the actual relief work, best understand the needs,
the Red Cross Executive Committee made no purchases save one carload of
condensed milk and ten thousand blankets. In both cases these purchases
were made with the kindly assistance of Army Officers who pronounced
on the prices and inspected the articles before they were shipped,
transportation having been given. The Commissary officers of the U. S.
Army throughout the West kindly consented to act as Purchasing Agents for
the Red Cross, and Dr. Devine who with Mr. Pollok of the Relief Committee
was appointed on a purchasing committee, was notified of their names and
addresses.
On April 26th the following telegram was received from Judge Morrow,
President of the California Branch: