The Japanese Red Cross has published its second English Bulletin. Its active personnel consists of 3,487 persons, of whom 237 are doctors. 2,328 women nurses, 572 men nurses and 131 litter bearers. It has a total membership of 1,397,344, with an annual income of $1,550,206. In 1907 it rendered assistance after fifteen disasters, aiding 3,810 injured persons. Its funds amount to $7,000,000.
PORTUGAL.
The Portuguese Red Cross has lately had the misfortune to lose by death its president, General da Cunha, a peer of the realm and one of the founders of the society in 1887. He was one of the most eminent men of his country and noted for the noble qualities of his mind and heart. His goodness and simplicity during all the years of the high offices he held under the government made him beloved of all classes. Just before his death he learned that the Red Cross had opened subscriptions for the earthquake sufferers of Italy. Only a few moments before the end came he directed his family to immediately send a subscription from him before his death prevented his doing so. These were his last words.
The society has elected as his successor Dr. M. A. Moreira, former Minister of the Navy and of the Colonies.
The Society has expended in relief work at different times $45,000 and contributed to the Red Cross Society of Spain, the United States, Great Britain, China, Japan, Russia and the Transvaal $16,000 more. It is about to establish a model infirmary for the instruction of trained nurses. The Municipal Council of Lisbon has given to the Society for this purpose land valued at $26,000.
RUSSIA.
The decease, in March, of Prince Michael Khikof, President of the Russian Red Cross, is announced in the April International Bulletin.
The Central Committee, at a later date, will call a conference of the active personnel during the Russo-Japanese War for the purpose of discussing the active work there accomplished, its mistakes and the improvements to be realized in future. Questions in regard to the convoys of the evacuation of the wounded, field treatment, etc., are among the most important subjects to be considered. The Society, which renders’ aid after calamities, pestilence, famine, floods, etc., has lately been asked to aid a leper colony at Yanburg. Its Central Committee decided that leprosy was too rare to be considered an epidemic and so declined to take charge of this institution, but to testify its interest in this humanitarian work it decided to appropriate for its support $5,000 annually.
SWITZERLAND.
Two delegates of the Swiss Red Cross, Dr. de Maval and Mr. Pluckiger, were sent promptly to Naples to take charge of the distribution of several carloads of supplies forwarded from Switzerland. They proceeded, under the suggestion of the Italian Red Cross, first to Melito, in Calabria, where they established headquarters. After the distribution in Calabria they continued this relief in Sicily, where, at Syracuse, they found the German and the American Red Cross at work. Besides the clothing and the supplies that were distributed, the material and erection of some forty houses at Reggio were provided. A total relief fund of $90,000 was raised in Switzerland.