The American Red Cross ventures respectfully to suggest that this international assistance after great calamities needs no special convention, that the Red Cross Societies of the world, originally organized to render volunteer aid in time of war, have, almost without exception, so broadened their scope of work as to include the assistance necessary after great calamities. The American Red Cross, since its reorganization in 1905, has rendered assistance after some eighteen serious disasters, eleven of which were in foreign lands. If the American Red Cross shall have the honor and pleasure of receiving the Ninth International Red Cross Conference at Washington, it will ask that special attention be paid to this question of international assistance at times of great calamities. Such international cooperation in relief measures would not only bring the financial assistance that does so much to relieve the sufferings of the victims and gives them new courage because of the consciousness of brotherly sympathy the world over, but the experience and knowledge of each and all as to methods of relief after various kinds of calamities, such as fires, earthquakes, famines, floods, and epidemics, could be available for the benefit of those in need of such aid. Much time, money, and supplies are often wasted and unnecessary suffering caused because of lack of experience in how best to proceed with relief measures. BULGARIA. The annual meeting of the Bulgarian Red Cross was held at Sofia on May 1. The reports show that the society possesses, in funds and value of supplies, about $336,200. It will soon open a new hospital for the instruction of its nurses. In 1908 it took energetic measures to prevent an invasion of cholera from Russia. Funds were also raised for the benefit of the victims of the fire at Uscub, Macedonia. CHILI. The International Committee of Geneva has sent out Circular 123, announcing the receipt of the statutes of the Chilian Red Cross, which are in accordance with the Red Cross international regulations, and therefore the Chilian Red Cross is declared duly accredited to the Central Committees of the Red Cross. CONGO. As the Congo has now become a colony of Belgium, the Congo Red Cross, which has done much good work for the amelioration of the sufferings of the victims of the sleeping sickness at Boma and Leopoldville, has been dissolved. CUBA. [Extract.] _Decree No. 406._ HABANA, CUBA, May 10, 1909. The Cuban Red Cross Society will enjoy in Cuban territory all privileges accorded, or which may hereafter be accorded, charitable institutions. The statutes and by-laws of the International Society of the Cuban Red Cross, adopted by the Supreme Assembly of the society on March 10, 1909, are approved by the government.