_wholly_ upon the people of our own country--by no means without its own
suffering poor--neither would it. The people of most enlightened nations
should unite in this relief, and I believe, properly conferred with,
would do so.
None of us have found any better medium for the dispensation of
charitable relief than the faithful missionaries already on the ground,
and our government officers, whose present course bespeaks their active
interest.
CLARA BARTON.
[Illustration: A BIT OF PALOU.]
REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
The following financial report, of necessity, has to deal with the
currencies of five different countries, viz.: American, English, French,
Austrian and Turkish, but as nearly all except expenses of travel and
maintenance are in Turkish money, and as American, English, French and
other moneys received were naturally reduced to the coin of the Ottoman
Empire, we were obliged to make our accounts to correspond. As the
report is made on the gold basis of 100 piasters to a lira, our friends
may easily find the value in American money by multiplying the number of
piasters by 4.4, as a gold lira (100 piasters) is approximately worth
four and four-tenths dollars.
Owing to the difference in values between gold and silver coin, the wide
range of values between the same coin in different cities, also the
singular variation of the purchasing power of the same coin in the same
cities for various commodities, complicated and curious mathematical
problems have constantly confronted us, and for the correctness and
accuracy of our report we are under many obligations to W.W. Peet, Esq.,
treasurer of the American Board of Foreign Missions; the officers of the
Imperial Ottoman and Credit Lyonnais Banks; as well as George Künzel,
Esq., expert accountant of the Administration de la Dette Publique
Ottomane. Our grateful acknowledgments are also due and heartily given
to Rev. Dr. H.O. Dwight, the executive head of the Missionary Board at
Constantinople, and Rev. Dr. George Washburn, president of Robert
College, for many valuable suggestions.
To give a single illustration of the acrobatic acquirements of the
sprightly piaster, the ignus fatuus characteristics of the mejidieh
(nom. 20 piasters), and the illusive proclivities of the lira, we will
outline a transaction connected with our first medical expedition, under
Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli, Syria. We had sent four hundred liras to Dr.
George E. Post, of Beyrout, who was fitting out the expedition for us,
and presumed we would receive a receipt for that amount, or for 40,000
piasters, its equivalent. The acknowledgment came, and we were somewhat
nonplussed to note that we had been credited with a sum far exceeding
that amount. A letter of inquiry was sent, as we supposed our good
doctor had made an error. We quote a paragraph or two in his letter of
reply: "I am not surprised that you do not quite understand the
intricacies of Turkish finance. After thirty-three years of residence,
I am still trying to get some idea of what a piaster is. * * * In
Beyrout it is worth one piaster and five paras, with variations; a
mejidieh is worth from nineteen piasters to almost anything. Every town
has its rate. * * * The nominal value changes daily. Thus if I credit
you to-day with 123.20 piasters on the lira, next week I may be out of
pocket, or vice versa. * * * Internally, it is well nigh impossible to
keep accounts. * * * The only way our college books are kept is by
giving the rate as it is when the account is entered, and as it appears
in all receipts and other vouchers."
We were much gratified with this assurance, for if a college president,
after thirty-three years' study, had not solved the piaster puzzle,
there was some excuse for us. Hundreds of accounts and bills have been
received, audited and paid, and scarcely any two correspond in piaster
equivalents. Therefore, although the money unit is the gold piaster, and
the monetary standard the gold lira, the frequent changes in valuation
is very bewildering to foreigners, and necessitates frequent conference
with persons who, after long years of residence, have reached an
equitable basis by which monetary equivalents can be ascertained.
A glance at our column of receipts shows a considerable variation in
rates of exchange, and also the selling price of British gold (most of
our drafts and cabled credits were in English sovereigns). We sold the
greater part of our gold at a rate exceeding 110, which is the
commercial rate in business transactions. In all credits received, the
values are of course given according to the rate on the day of sale.
Many of our accounts, receipts and vouchers are curiosities, as they are
in various languages, Arabic, Kourdish, Turkish, Armenian, Greek,
Italian, etc. They were interesting but at the same time exceedingly
perplexing to us, though our expert accountant found no difficulty with
any of them, and right here we desire to make special acknowledgment to
Mr. Künzel for his excellent but unpaid services.
In our column of expenses will be found an exceedingly rare Red Cross
item, namely, "Wages Account." All the native or local doctors and
apothecaries with one exception, had to be paid "contagious disease
rates," as they called it. The exception was Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli,
Syria, that brave and self-sacrificing American, whose great medical
ability and splendid surgical skill accomplished so much in curing the
sick in the terribly distressed cities of Marash and Zeitoun, with their
many surrounding villages. We are glad to make this public
acknowledgment in full appreciation of his heroic services. Besides the
doctors, there were interpreters and dragomen for the various
expeditions in the field to whom wages were paid. No adverse reflection
is designed in the making of this statement, as the conditions
surrounding life and service in that region of operation made such
remuneration an equitable necessity.
It is, we think, a well understood fact that the Red Cross officers
neither receive nor ask any remuneration for their services, but away
from our own country we did not find the splendid volunteer aids we have
had on former fields. But few could be found, and these we have had with
us both in Constantinople and Asia Minor, and very efficient helpers
they have been; to these our thanks are due and cordially given.
After our expeditions had entered the field, and begun work, the first
remittances to our chief officers were sent in a manner which for
slowness and seeming insecurity would have appalled American business
men. The _modus operandi_ was as follows: A check for the amount desired
was drawn and taken to the bank; after half an hour or more the gold
would be weighed out and handed over--our bankers would have performed
the same service in two minutes. The coin was then put into a piece of
stout canvas cloth, done up in a round ball, securely tied and taken to
the Imperial Turkish postoffice, where it was placed in a piece of
sheepskin, all the ends brought together very evenly, cut off square and
covered with sealing wax, the strong cords binding the package in a
peculiar manner were woven in so that the ends could be passed through a
small wooden box like a pill box; this box was filled with wax. After
the imperial post and our seals were attached, bakshish given, and the
package insured in an English company, the only thing remaining after
the three or four hours' work and delay was to go home and, with fear
and trembling, wait some twenty-five or thirty days until the pony
express arrived at its destination and acknowledgment by telegraph of
the receipt of the money relieved the nervous strain as far as _that_
package was concerned. This trying business was kept up until it became
possible to use drafts in the interior. We are happy to report that,
though the money had to be taken through a country infested with
robbers, outlaws and brigands, we never lost a lira.
Bakshish is another custom of the country, infinitely more exasperating
than our "tip" system, which is bad enough. This is trying to most
people, but peculiarly irritating to a financial secretary. Bakshish is
a gift of money which an Oriental expects and demands for the most
trifling service. Beggars, by instinct, seem to know a financial
secretary and swarm around in the most appalling manner. To make any
headway with this horde at least two Turkish words must be mastered the
first day, namely, "_Yok_," No, and "_Hidé-git_," "Be off with you."
These expressions are sometimes efficacious with beggars, but the
bakshish fiend must be paid something.
As long columns of figures have no interest to the great majority of
people, and detailed accounts of receipts and expenses are never read,
as it is of no possible importance what moneys were received at certain
times, or what goods were purchased on specific days for the field work,
or gold or drafts sent into the interior, we give our statement in as
condensed a form as possible. The committees have received their
respective reports, with all vouchers and other detail.
We believe the account of our stewardship will be approved by our
countrymen; we know that the people whom we came to assist, are grateful
and thoroughly appreciative, as numberless letters of gratitude,
testimonials and personal statements abundantly prove.
To the $116,326.01, at least a third if not a half more should be added,
as in all kinds of industrial business we have made the money do double
duty. For instance: We purchased iron and steel and gave to the
blacksmiths to make tools. That started their work. They paid us for the
iron and steel in tools; these we gave to other artisans to start their
various trades. In like manner spinning, weaving and garment-making
avocations were commenced. Speaking of values, the consensus of opinion
of our countrymen in the interior is, that putting a price on our work,
the people of Anatolia have gained twice or thrice the actual money
spent, and that the moral support given was far beyond any valuation.
(At such a money valuation then, the aggregate value of the chief
distribution will be nearly $350,000.)
A few words of explanation in regard to the table of expenditures: "Cash
sent to the Interior" includes all moneys sent by pony express or draft,
and of this amount something over seven thousand liras are in the hands
of W.W. Peet, Esq.; Rev. C.F. Gates, at Harpoot; C.M. Hallward, Esq.,
British Consul, at Diarbekir; Rev. E.H. Perry, at Sivas, and other
equally responsible representatives, for an emergency fund, to be used,
on order, as occasion requires.
"Relief Expeditions, General and Medical," represents largely the goods
purchased and shipped with the four expeditions from Constantinople and
Beyrout for relief purposes. A portion of this supply is still held at
different stations awaiting the proper time for its distribution to the
best advantage.
"General Expense Account" represents freights, postage, bakshish,
hammals, car fares, carriages, etc. "Donations for Relief of Orphan
Children" represents sums of money given to the Armenian and German
hospitals for Armenian refugee children. The other items we think
explain themselves.
It will be observed that the special Red Cross fund, as noted in our
tabulation of debits and credits, more than covers expenses of "Red
Cross Headquarters, Field," "Travel and Maintenance," "General Expense
and Wages Accounts," and "General and Medical Relief Expeditions
Accounts," all of which items were of direct benefit to the field as all
were necessary to the successful conduct of our work. We only mention
this to show that, besides the work we have been able to successfully
perform, the Red Cross has also materially contributed monetarily to the
field. And it will not be out of place to note that in the total of cash
expended ($116,326.01) there is shown to be an administrative cost
amounting to $7,526.37, as covered by such items as "Telegrams and
Cables," "Wages Account," "General Expense," "Headquarters, Field,"
"Stationery and Printing," and "Travel and Maintenance." This cost was
but a fraction over 6 per cent on the cash total. If the estimated money
value in field results be taken at three times the cash received and
paid, for relief material, food, etc., as stated, it will be found that
the cost of administration is only about 2 per cent. In either account
or estimate the result is gratifying though not surprising to the
officers of the Red Cross, since the methods pursued are the fruits of a
wide experience that evaded no responsibility and learned only to spend
wisely for the trust imposed and accepted. It is also satisfactory to
know that such expenditures came direct from the "Special Funds" of the
Red Cross itself. An examination of the balance sheets accompanying this
report shows that of funds expended, the Red Cross is credited with
$24,641.93, which leaves an excess for relief over the cost of
administration of $17,115.56.
Perhaps this brief financial review of the work achieved may be properly
closed by a reference to the sincere enthusiasm and earnestness with
which the efforts to raise funds in the United States were animated. The
incidents herein mentioned may also illustrate how the wisdom of
experience accepts the earnestness and yet discounts without criticism
the over confident calculations, to which a noble zeal may run. It would
appear that the collection of funds for the purpose of relieving a
Christian people in danger of starvation and violent death by knife or
bullet--of aiding a historic race in the throes of dissolution from
massacre, and dispersion in winter by storm and famine, would be a very
easy thing to accomplish. A good many of our countrymen, unaccustomed to
great relief work, found the collection of the means needed, a task
more than difficult. A single illustration will prove how misleading is
the conception. It must be borne in mind always that the Red Cross never
solicits funds. It sees its field of benefit work and having fully
examined the needs, states them through the press and all other public
avenues, to the American people, leaving the response direct to their
judgment and generosity. When it is asked to accept the administration
of relief funds and material, in fields like this that awaited it in
Asia Minor, the trust is surely met, but the Red Cross does not ask for
the means and money. Others do that, stating that the work will be under
its charge. When it is once accepted there is no retreat, no matter how
far the exertions may fall short of reaching the hoped-for results.
Last November (1895), after many petitions had been received and
carefully considered, representatives of the great Armenian Relief
Committees came to Washington for the purpose of supplementing such
earnest petitions by personal appeals. A conditional consent having been
obtained, the subject of funds was brought up by the following question:
"Miss Barton, how much do you think it will cost to relieve the
Armenians?"
The question was answered by another: "Gentlemen, you are connected with
the various missionary boards, with banks and other great institutions
and enterprises. What amount do you consider necessary?"
After deliberation, $5,000,000 was suggested as the proper sum and the
question was asked if the Red Cross concurred. Miss Barton, with the
faintest suggestion of a smile, replied that she thought $5,000,000
would be sufficient. As the difficulties of raising money became more
apparent to the committees, numerous meetings were held and various
other amounts suggested, Miss Barton agreeing each time. From $5,000,000
to $500,000, with a guarantee for the balance; then $100,000 cash, with
$400,000 guaranteed, and so on, until $50,000 was named to start the
work with, such sum to be available on the arrival of the Red Cross in
Constantinople. The president and a few officers of the Red Cross
arrived there on February 15, 1896, but it was late in the following
April before the $50,000 was received. These facts as given are intended
solely to show the difficulties the committees had to contend with in
raising the amount they did.
For general information it will, perhaps, not be inappropriate to state
that all relief work is governed and conducted on military lines to
preclude the possibility of confusion, as the Red Cross on fields of
disaster is the only organized body in a disorganized community. Thus,
wherever the organization has control, Miss Barton has personal
supervision of all departments: the financial, receiving and disposing
of all funds; the correspondence, opening all letters and directing
replies; the field, assigning workers to attend to such duties as are
best suited to their various abilities, who report daily, if possible,
and receive instructions for the prosecution of the work, the supplies,
receiving accurate reports of all material and giving directions as to
its disposition.
GEORGE H. PULLMAN.
_Constantinople, August 1, 1896._
[Illustration: DIARBEKER, VILAYET OF DIARBEKER.
_In the Field of Mr. Woods' Work._]
[Illustration: RUINS OF AN OLD GATEWAY AT FARKIN.
_In the Field of Mr. Woods' Work._]
FINANCIAL BALANCE SHEET OF THE RELIEF FUNDS AND SERVICE OF 1896
IN ASIA MINOR.
_The American National Red Cross, in account with the Relief Field of
Asia Minor_.
Dr.
To The National Relief Committee [B]Ltq. 14,784 51
The New England Relief Committee " 5,667 25
The Worcester Relief Committee " 402 18
The Ladies' Relief Committee, of Chicago " 922 50
The Friends of Philadelphia, through Asa S. Wing " 481 69
Citizens of Newark, through C.H. Stout, Esq. " 674 65
Citizens of Milton, North Dakota " 4 66
St. George's Church S.S. through C.H. Stout, Esq. " 40 06
Ransom Post, G.A.R., Wales, Minn. " 2 95
The Davenport, Iowa, Relief Committee " 54 78
American Ladies in Geneva, Switzerland " 5 85
Miss Phillips, Mission school, Balisori, India " 13 20
Mrs. Dr. Galbraith, Tarentum, Pa. " 3 30
"Sailors' Rest," Genoa, Italy " 2 33
A citizen of Chester, N.J. " 02
Miss Mayham Winter, Philadelphia, Pa. " 1 14
The American National Red Cross (special) " 3,376 66
----------
Total " 26,437 73
Cr.
By telegrams and cables Ltq. 245 12
Cash sent to interior " 18,965 70
Relief expeditions, general " 2,917 81
Relief expeditions, medical " 543 68
Wages account " 421 20
General expense account " 138 02
Red Cross Headquarters, Field " 235 05
Stationery and printing " 128 79
Expense account, travel and maintenance " 542 36
Donations for relief of orphan children " 100 00
Emergency Fund, deposited with W.W. Peet " 2,200 00
----------
Total " 26,437 73
I have carefully examined the books, accounts and vouchers of the
American National Red Cross, in its relief work in Asia Minor, and find
everything correct and accurate.
(Signed.) GEORGE KUNZEL,
_Accountant, Administration Ottoman Public Debt_.
CONSTANTINOPLE, _August 1, 1896_.
[B] Ltq. 2,223.78 of this sum was Special Red Cross Funds drawn from
Brown Brothers & Company. Ltq.--Turkish Lira about $4.40. Ltq. 26,437.73
$116,326.01.
GENERAL FIELD AGENT'S REPORT.
ANATOLIA, ASIA MINOR.
TO MISS CLARA BARTON, _President_:
In speaking of the relief work in Asia Minor, may I be allowed to begin
at Constantinople, at which place, while waiting for the necessary
official papers for our work, we were all busy selecting and purchasing
relief supplies, camping outfit, cooking utensils, and making other
preparations for interior travel; and also securing competent
interpreters and dragomans. Although the _Irade_ of the Sultan granting
permission to enter Asia Minor had not yet been received, we were
naturally anxious to follow the first shipment of supplies purchased and
sent by steamer to the port of Alexandretta as the safest route, to be
forwarded again by camels under guard to different places in the
interior; and with our own men to accompany and attend the work of
distribution. Accordingly, accompanied by interpreter Mason, I left
Constantinople on the tenth of March, touching at Smyrna, Latakea,
Mersina and Tripoli, reaching Alexandretta on the eighteenth, and by the
kind help of our Consular Agent, Mr. Daniel Walker, and Mr. John
Falanga, began making up the caravans for shipment to Aintab, as a
central point for the southern field.
By the time the caravans were ready and horses for travel selected, Mr.
Wistar and Mr. Wood, with dragomans, arrived by steamer from
Constantinople. Rev. Dr. Fuller, president of the Aintab (American)
College, had also just come through with friends from Aintab to take
steamer, himself to return again immediately, and together we all set
out under soldier escort the next morning. Alexandretta was in a state
of fear while we were there, notwithstanding the fact that the warships
of England, France, Turkey, and the United States lay in her harbor.
Kirk Khan, the first stopping place on our journey inland, was
threatened with plunder and destruction on the night before our arrival
there. At Killis we found the town in a state of fear from the recent
massacres. Here, with Dr. Fuller, we visited the wounded who were under
the good care of a young physician just from the college at Aintab, but
without medicine, surgical dressings and appliances. These with other
needed things we arranged to send back to him from the supplies that had
gone ahead.
Aintab, with its American school, college, seminary and hospital
buildings standing out in relief and contrast from the native buildings,
was a welcome reminder of home; and the greeting of the hundreds of
pupils as they came hurrying down the road to welcome back their own
loved president, became a welcome for the Red Cross. We were most
cordially offered the hospitality of Dr. Fuller's house and home, but as
we were still strangers in a strange land, it seemed best to place
ourselves in a khan, where we could have better opportunity to make an
acquaintance with the people to obtain the varied information necessary
to accomplish best results in the disposition of our relief. Here we
remained long enough to learn the needs of the place and surrounding
country, to obtain carefully prepared lists of those artisans needing
tools and implements for their various trades and callings. Supplies
were left, clothing, new goods for working up, thread, needles,
thimbles, medicines, and surgical stores.
Aintab is favored with its Mission Hospital; with its surgeon and
physician, Dr. Shepard and Dr. Hamilton, and a strong American colony of
missionary teachers, besides the Franciscan Brothers, who are doing
excellent select work. The Father Superior was killed near Zeitoun.
Supplies were selected and made up for Oorfa, Aintab, Marash and other
points, while a quantity of supplies, by the kindness of Dr. Fuller, was
left in storage in the college building to be forwarded as our inquiries
should discover the need. To Oorfa, where the industrial work had been
so successfully established by Miss Shattuck, we sent material and
implements for working, needles, thread, thimbles, cotton and woolen
goods for making up. To Marash and Zeitoun, ready-made goods in addition
to new, with surgical appliances and medicines.