Of the founding and maintenance of the hospital at Neuilly,
he says:
The resources are provided wholly by the charity of Americans.
From the beginning of the war the administrative council of
their Paris hospital took the initiative in the movement. The
American colony in France, almost unaided, gave the
half-million francs that was subscribed the first month. New
York and other cities of the United States followed their
lead, and, in spite of the financial crisis that grips there
as elsewhere, one may be sure that the funds will not be
wanting. America has its Red Cross, which, justly enough, aids
the wounded of all nations; but, among the belligerents, it
has chosen to distinguish the compatriots of Lafayette and
Rochambeau; our field hospital is the witness of their
faithful gratitude. France will not forget.
Later the abbe recorded in his diary that the 500 beds would soon be
filled, but added that the generous activity of the Americans would not
end there. They would establish branch hospitals. Large sums had been
placed at the disposal of the committee to found an "ambulance" in
Belgium and another in France as near the front as prudence permitted.
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