The arrival of deputies from the American Red Cross and the Seoul Russian Refugee Committee has cheered us greatly. The fact that the American Red Cross has taken up the matter was known in official circles several days before they arrived. Mr. W. Morgan Palmer is persona grata, being personally known and respected by most of the leading Chinese officials in Manchuria. A better choice could not have been' made and he is being very well received: everywhere. He was met at the station on Wednesday by the Chief of Police and representatives from the Foreign Bureau and Board of Finance. The Civil Governor insisted on entertaining him during his stay in Kirin.
Mr. Shaw, who has been engaged in Russian relief work in the Chientao district and at Gensan, was sent by the Seoul committee. All facilities were afforded these deputies for seeing the condition of the refugees. They were' shown not only the camps and inns which are at present, occupied, but, also the preparations which are being made for about 4,000 refugees who are expected to arrive within the next few weeks. Ié is believed that-the matter is now seriously being taken in hand.
When the new parties all arrive there will be about. 8,000 in the city. The plans for sending some of them on to other places have not yet been completed and possibly may not be carried out. The Chinese Government, however, is now thoroughly awake to the big problem on hand. In two camps one meal of hot soup per day has been begun and the Government has undertaken that this will be given to all. Ovens have also been erected in tivo of the camps and Russians are making the necessary bread with flour provided by the Government. These humane measures will receive the commendation of Ohinese and foreigners alike.
Ta view of the fact that the Chinese Government has assumed the responsibility of feeding and housing, the American Red Cross feels that its contribution should be the establishment and equipment of a temporary hospital. Steps have already been taken to accomplish this. The Russian Cross Society of Harbin will also assist in the organization and supply the medicine, but the control will be the hands of the local Anglo-American Committee. The Seoul committee is concentrating on helping the women and children by giving milk and clothing, but will also probably take some share in the running of the hospital. There are enough Russian doctors and nurses here already to enable us to begin medic-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.