Only a brief general statement can be made in this Bulletin of the contributions from the various Branches for San Francisco, the more detailed report will be given later when the returns are all received. In this Bulletin the receipts from the Branches for the Japanese Famine Fund and for the Vesuvian Relief are reported.
The prompt sympathy that was shown outside our own country for the California sufferers manifested itself in several cases by generous appropriations by foreign governments and by contributions from firms and individuals. These were generally sent to the State Department. As the President felt that the liberality of our own people would meet the required aid and, moreover, if accepted by the Government from one country others might feel a necessity of also making relief appropriations, it seemed wise to decline with most sincere expressions of thanks such contributions.
Acting under the apprehension that the President deemed it best that no foreign contributions be accepted, two generous contributions made directly to the Red Cross, one from the Canadian Pacific Railroad and one from the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Service in this country, though deeply appreciated, were declined. In the case of the money offered by the Chinese Legation and Consuls, the Chinese Minister, at the suggestion of the Red Cross, placed the contribution in the hands of the First Secretary of the Chinese Legation, Mr. Chow Tszchi, who was sent by him to the Pacific Slope with a letter from the Red Cross to Dr. Devine, requesting the latter to assist in every way possible Mr. Chow Tszchi’s work for the Chinese sufferers.
On May 5th the following letter was received by the Honorable Wm. H. Taft, President of the American National Red Cross:
Japanese Embassy, Washington, May 5, 1906.
Honorable Wm. H. Taft, President of the American National Red Cross:
Sir:—I beg to inform you that the Red Cross Society of Japan has solicited contributions from the general public in Japan for the relief of distress caused to the population of California by the recent earthquake, and transmitted to me by telegraph as the first installment the sum of 50,000 dollars with the request that it be applied to the above named purpose through the kindness of the American National Red Cross.
Will you kindly inform me at your earliest convenience whether you can use your good offices in the premises or not?
Yours sincerely,
VISCOUNT S. AOKI.