The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War Read Free Page A

worst of all, stores of surgical material are being hoarded up in scores of houses to such an extent that the market is seriously depleted. Ladies are starting independent base-hospitals of their own, and are appealing for funds for their maintenance.
    Surgeons and nurses are struggling to reach the front without any organisation, and without definite orders or definite plans. All these efforts are most kindly meant, but they areproducing an amount of disorder and waste of personnel and equipment which is to be deplored.
    Need For More Money
    The British Red Cross Society has already a number of beds at its disposal which, while probably sufficient to meet the coming need, can be almost indefinitely expanded on efficient and economic lines. The organisation of the society extends throughout the whole country, and beds can be provided in sufficient number as and when they are required.
    The British Red Cross Society is working in close harmony with the St John Ambulance Association, and no one can dispute that these two bodies are competent to deal promptly, efficiently and economically with the intending need, colossal as it is, if only they are supplied with sufficient funds. All but the clerical work of administration of the Red Cross Society is carried out by trained volunteers, every department is in charge of competent experts, while offices and storerooms are provided, free of all cost, by the generosity of the Duke of Devonshire.
    In every detail the society keeps in close touch with the War Office and Admiralty, to whom, and to whom alone, they look for instructions as to where help is needed, and of what kind it should be. The expenses for equipment, for personnel and for supplies must needs be heavy, but those who come to our aid have the assurance that the funds subscribed will not be scattered in private enterprises, but will be employed to the direct and prompt relief of the sick and wounded. At thismoment – so many are the calls upon the charitable – the Red Cross Society of this country is in need of means to carry out, on business lines, a mission of mercy, the organisation of which has been the deliberate work of years.
    Yours faithfully,
    Rothschild, Chairman, Council of the British Red Cross Society

    WAR AND OPERA
    The Carl Rosa Company
    SIR – In the exceptional circumstances may I beg the hospitality of your columns?
    When the appalling news of the war burst on us, naturally our first impulse was to cancel our forthcoming tour, or, at least, the first portion of it. On reflection, however, the thought of over a hundred artists being thrown out of work to their great distress, and the distress of those dependent on them, and the great difficulty of getting fresh engagements just at present, made us reconsider the matter, and we decided to make a start in the ordinary manner.
    The expenses of an opera company are, however, so very great that it will be impossible to continue if business is very bad for long. Would you permit me to state that we are at the Coronet Theatre, 7 September; Kennington, 14 September; and theMarlborough Theatre, 21 September, and I would be most grateful if those members of the public who intend to be present would notify their intention to the respective theatre or myself. We could then get an inkling as to what would be our fate.
    The Carl Rosa Opera Company might almost be called a national institution. It has been in existence forty-three years, and is the oldest theatrical enterprise in Great Britain, besides being the oldest English opera company in the world. It has introduced hundreds of great operas and singers to the British public, and I am sure that hundreds and thousands of Britishers all over the world would much regret if it was forced to suspend its operations.
    I have just heard that another opera company has cancelled its tour, thus adding to the unemployed.
    I am, Sir, yours very truly,
    Walter Van Noorden, Managing Director
    Carl Rosa Opera Company