BRITISH HOSPITALS FOR THE SERBIANS.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—May I appeal to your readers on behalf of a hospital enterprise of great interest and importance that has just been undertaken by the Scottish Women's Hospitals ? These hospitals already have units working both in France and Corsica, and with the reconstructed Sorbian Army at Salonika, which are well known. In the spring there were three units in Serbia itself, one of which retreated with the army, and the other two, remaining with their wounded, were taken prisoners, and eventually returned to England. Dr. Elsie Inglis, who was in charge of these units, has just left England for Russia in command of two field hospitals, with X-ray apparatus, and a motor transport section, which have been sent at the request of the Serbians in England to work with the Serbian division of the Russian Army. This division consists of Serbian volunteers, and forms part of the Russian forces operating in the South. It is equipped and maintained by the Russian Government, but its great need has been doctors, nurses, and medical equipment. The Serbians who had worked with the Scottish Women's Hospitals in Serbia appealed to them again to send their units to the help of this army. The Russian authorities welcomed the proposal, and it was at their request that the units wore despatched. Both they and the Serbians themselves attach great importance to the fact that this greatly needed help comes from Great Britain. Although the upkeep of their other units taxes the resources of the Scottish Women's Hospitals to the utmost, the Committee felt that they could neither resist nor delay this urgent appeal, both because of the medical help so badly needed by the fighting men, and because of the splendid opportunity it offered for increasing the goodwill and co-operation between Great Britain and the Southern Slays. The units were therefore immediately got together and frilly equipped, and have already reached Russia. May I appeal to those of your readers who are interested in the complex situation in the Balkans, as well as to all those interested in hospital work, for help for these voluntary British hospitals ? The cost will not fall far short of £10,000, and the London Committee of the Scottish Women's Hospitals would be most grateful for any contributions. Cheques should be sent either to the Editor of the Spectator, 1 Wellington Street, Strand, and made payable to the Spectator, or to the Hon. Treasurer, The Lady Cowdray, 58 Victoria Street, S.W., and crossed in both cases "London County and Westminster Bank, Victoria Branch."
[The gallantry of our Serbian Allies in face of appalling odds, and the fact that they are for the moment fighting, like the Disinherited Knight in Ivanhoe, without any soil which they can call their own land, should wing this plea for help. Those who, like us, sit secure with every inch of our Empire in our own power cannot turn a deaf ear to an appeal so piteous.—ED. Spectator.]
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