eluding relief sent to French prisoners of war. All of the supplies sent to France have entered that country without the payment of duty and have been transported by French agencies, free of charge, to the localities where they were consumed. All Red Cross relief supplies have been distributed through responsible local voluntary organizations, under the direct supervision of American Red Cross personnel. The three "mercy-ships," the McKeesport, /he Cold Harbor, and the Exrnouthj sailed under the provisions of the American Neutrality Act, desig¬nated as Red Cross ships. They flew both the American flag and the Red Cross flag. The Red Cross emblem was prominently displayed and these ships were required to proceed fully lighted at night. All of the belligerent powers were notified of their departure, their course at sea, their arrival and stay in foreign ports, and their departure for their return to this country. The belligerent governments agreed not to interfere with or molest the ships on their outward or homeward voyages provided all of the many conditions were strictly adhered to. There is every evidence that Red Cross supplies sent to France were in no way diverted and reached only the people for whom they were intended. There is not the slightest doubt that these supplies have saved the lives of many children and eased the hardships of thousands of others. The United States Ambassador to France sent to the Secretary of State the following cable describing Red Cross relief work in France: "I found that the supplies are being accurately and efficiently distributed by the Red Cross to the child¬ren. ... I interviewed many parents, saw thousands of children and was a witness to the distribution. The gratitude of the people to America attains such an emotional pitch at times that they were often unable to speak. I am certain that the work of the Red Cross . . . will secure the good will of the people in unoccupied France." China War relief in China began shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in the summer of 1937. Up to the summer of 1940, relief to the value of a million dollars had been granted to the Chinese. At that time famine con¬ditions again became severe, particularly in East China, and there was also an urgent demand for medical supplies and equipment as well as cloth for clothing in West China. With the availability of supplies purchased by Government agencies, the American Red Cross was enabled to increase greatly its operations in China. An American Red Cross delegation was es¬tablished there in October 1940, and relief shipments of foodstuffs, cloth, and medical supplies and equipment were begun. Three general areas of operations have been established, covering Shang¬hai, Hong Kong, and Free or West China. An American Red Cross Com- 20 Hunger in China Eased by Tons of Wheat mittee comprised of Americans long resident in China, with the American Ambassador as Honorary Chairman, has general supervision of the distribu¬tion of relief. Branches of the committee, assisted by a small administrative staff, function in each of the areas. Famine conditions in the Shanghai and Hong Kong areas have been eased by the thousands of tons of wheat and rice shipped there. -Medical sup¬plies have also been distributed in these areas. Distribution has been effected through missions, schools, hospitals, and other local institutions. Extreme transportation difficulties have been encountered in bringing assistance into the Free China area. Supplies are carried by steamship to Rangoon, then travel by rail to Lashio. Here they must await transporta¬tion by truck over the difficult Burma Road to distribution centers in West China. Headquarters for the American Red Cross activities in West China are maintained at Kunming, on the Burma Road. Although priority for the transportation of Red Cross supplies over the Burma Road has been granted with due regard for other essential needs in West China, there have been un¬avoidable delays at Lashio before supplies could be moved. To assist the Chinese Red Cross in overcoming these difficulties, the American Red Cross is providing fifty trucks for use on the Burma Road. These will be operated by the effective organization of the Medical Relief Corps of the Chinese Red Cross, and are expected to expedite the delivery of much needed medical sup 21