CO129-589-17 Evacuation of British families 14-1-1941 - 27-11-1941 — Page 65

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An office of the Red Cross was established in Baguio to take

charge of the housing arrangements in the Mountain City. This of-

fice accomplished the task very effectively. Over 1,800 women and

children were sheltered in Government cottages, Country Club cot-

tages, apartments, privately owned houses, hotels, schools, con-

vents, and boarding houses.

The first shipload of evacuees arrived in Manila on Wednesday,

July 3, 1940, on the S. S. "Empress of Japan." There were 1,681 on

board. Of this number, 48? were sent direct from the steamer, by

special train, to Baguio. The remainder, 1,178, were taken out in

Army trucks to Fort McKinley where Red Cross volunteers registered

them and Army personnel assigned them quarters. Twenty-one were

taken either by friends in Manila or made their own arrangements

elsewhere. Arrangements were made by the Red Cross to clear these

1,178 to other quarters in Manila and Baguio to make room for 1,500

who were expected on July 7. On July 5, 351 left by special train

for Baguio, and on July 6, 347. The remaining 480 were transferred

to prepared centers in Manila and at Sulphur Springs, and to hotels,

boarding houses, and small apartments in Manila. Transfer of all

from Fort McKinley was accomplished by noon on July 6.

On July 7, the second contingent of evacuees arrived, with

1,109 on the S. S. "Empress of Japan' and 544 on the S. S. "Empress

of Asia." The United States Army took charge of debarkation and

1,469 women and children were transported to the Ft. McKinley bar-

racks. One hundred twenty-two were housed by friends.

were taken directly to quarters at the Manila Club (a British club).

Sixty-two