CO129-563-19 Sino-Japanese War- fund for relief of distress in China 5-10-1937 - 17-11-1937 — Page 66

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BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1908.

With the Compliments of the China association, the British Red cross

Society, and the Conference of British Missionary Societies.

For the favour of publication.

THE FUND FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS IN CHINA.

66

Sir,

to

We write to ask you to allow us through your columns announce that in conjunction with the Committee of the China Association, the British Red Cross Society, and the Conference of British Missionary Societies, we have decided to open a fund for relief of distress in China. The money and material sent to China will be administered by an organisation to be constituted in that country under the Presidency of H.M.Ambassador,Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen and the Vice-Presidency of the Governor of Hongkong,Sir Geoffry Northcote.

We have been moved to take this decision, and we base our appeal for contributions, upon the broad,human ground that the conflict is occasioning terrible suffering in all its forms amongst untold numbers of Chinese. The total of those rendered destitute is immense. Reliable figures cabled to the China Association from Shanghai show that 100,000 completely destitute refugees are being maintained in camps in the Shanghai area alone, while help is also being given in various forms to another 100,000 in that district. Some 250,000 have been moved away from Shanghai by boat and train, but they are being rapidly replaced, the estimated total of destitute Chinese for whom Shanghai will have to provide in the near future being 500,000. Tientsin,Peiping,Hankow,Canton, and many other centres are faced by similar problems. British national socities and firms are doing their utmost to help, but their resources, already crippled by the disorganisation of trade, are quite inadequate. There is a desparate shortage at all centres of essential hospital equipment, including anaesthetics and antiseptics, the lack of which is resulting in suffering too hideious to describe. The resourses of British hospitals are breaking down under the strain of emergency service, while there

are also British subjects in urgent need of help.

The care of sick and wounded members of the fighting forces will be the special interest of the British Red Cross Society, which is already acting in co-operation with the Chinese Red Cross Society.

Contributions may be sent to the Hon.Treasurers,Mr.D.G.M. Bernard,HonTreasurer of the China Association, 161,Shell-Mex House, Strand, W.C.2, or the Mr.F.P.Harris,Treasurer of the Conference of British Missionary Societies, Edinburgh House,2,Eaton Gate,S.W.1. Contributions for the British Red Cross Society may be specially earmarked and sent to the Hon.Sir Arthur Stanley,British Red Cross Society,14,Grosvenor Crescent,London,S.W.1. Ali cheques should be crossed & Co": funds will be remitted to China through the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Ltd.