A general failure of crops, followed by the revolutionary outbreak of last summer in Nicaragua caused great distress among the poorer classes in that country. Conditions were sufficiently bad before the military operations took place, but during July, owing to the revolution, they became critical, and many Nicaraguans faced starvation. Early in August, having been apprised of the situation as it then existed, Secretary of State Knox addressed a communication to the American Red Cross, requesting to be informed whether the Red Cross was in a position to furnish food supplies to relieve the needs of the non-combatants. The American Red Cross promptly forwarded $1,000 to the American minister at Panama, with instructions to expend that amount in the purchase of flour, beans, corn, rice and potatoes. Through the courtesy and co-operation of Colonel George W. Goethals, U. S. A., Governor of the Canal Zone, the commissary of the Isthmian Canal Commission furnished these supplies at wholesale rates, and the same were shipped via the United States transport _Justin_, which was carrying a battalion of United States Marines to Nicaragua. On August 28th, at the request of Hon. George T. Weitzel, American minister to Nicaragua, at Managua, the State Department suggested a further appropriation by the American Red Cross to continue the alleviation of the suffering which would probably continue some time after the revolutionary disturbances. Pursuant to this suggestion, a further appropriation of $1,000 was made by the Central Committee, and the supply of corn and beans purchased therewith was shipped to Managua from Panama on the steamer _San Juan_, on September 7th. Under date of January 21, 1913, the Secretary of State transmitted to the American Red Cross a report from Mr. Weitzel as to the manner in which the supplies were distributed and the effectiveness of the relief rendered. Following is an extract from that report: “The first car, consisting of flour, corn, beans, rice and potatoes to the value of one thousand dollars, left the Panama Canal Zone on August 9, 1912, in charge of Major Smedley D. Butler, U. S. M. C., and was received in Managua on the 15th of that month.