OP THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRE SENTATIVE S

EIGHTY-NINTH CONGEESS

FIRST SESSION

H.R. 8715

TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRIBUTION BY TH E UNITED STATES 

TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS

49-134

JUNE 7, 1965

Printed fo r the use of the Committee on Fo reign Affairs

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1965

ii
CO MM IT TE E ON FO REI GN AF FA IR S

TH OM AS E. M ORG AN , Penn sylvania, Chairman

CLE M E N T J. Z A B L O CK I, Wisconsin 

OM AR B U R LE SO N , Texas

E D N A F. K E L L Y , New Yor k

W AY NE L. II A Y S, Ohio

AR M IS TEAD I. SE LD E N , Jr., Alabama 

B A R R A T T O’ H AR A, Illinois 

L. n. FO U N TA IN , North Carolina 

D A N T E B. F A SC E L L, Florida 

LE O N A R D F A R B ST E IN , New Yo rk 

C H A R LE S C. DIG G S, Jr., Michigan 

L IN D L E Y BECK W O R TII , Texas 

H A R R IS B. Mc DO WEL L, Jp., Delaware 

WI LL IAM T. M U R PH Y, Illinois 

CO R N E LIU S E. G A L LA G H E R , New Jersey 

R O B E R T N. C. N IX , Pennsylvania 

JOHN S. M ON AG AN , Connecticut 

DO N ALD M. FR A SE R , Minnesota 

RO N ALD BR O O K S CA M ER ON, California 

BE NJA MIN S. RO SE N TH AL, New York 

EDW AR D R. R O Y B A L , California 

JOH N C. C U LV E R , Iowa 

LE E II. H AM IL TO N, Indiana 

R O Y II. M cV IC KER, Colorado

B oyd Craw for d, Staff Administrator

R oy J. B ullo ck, Senior Staff Consultant

Albert C. F. West phal, Staff Consultant

F ra nk lin J. Schup p, Staff Consultant

R obert F. B rand t, Staff Consultant

Har ry C. C ro me r, Staff Consultant

P hilip B. Billi ngs, Staff Consultant

Marian A. Czarneck i, Staff Consultant

Melvin O. B enson , Staff Consultant

Jun e Nigh, Senior Staff Assistant

Helen C. Matta s, Staff Assistant

Helen L. Hasha ge n, Staff Assistant

L ouise O’ B rie n, Staff Assistant

Mar y Mf.dsger, Staff Assistant

Doris B. McC racken Staff Assistant

Jea n E. Smith, Staff Assistant

R ob ert J. B ow en, Clerical Assistant

F R A N C E S P. BO LT ON , Ohio

E. RO SS A D A IR , Indiana

WILLIAM S. M AIL LIA R D , California

P E T E R II. B. F R E L IN G H U Y S E N , New Jersey

WILLIAM S. BRO O M FIE LD , Michigan

J. IR V IN G W H A LLEY, Pennsylvania

II. R. GR OSS , Iowa

E. Y . B E R R Y , South Dak ota

ED W AR D J. DER W IN SK I, Illinois

F. B R A D F O R D MOR SE , Massachusetts 

V E R N O N W. TH OM SON, Wisconsin 

JA ME S G. FU LTO N , Penn sylvania

Sub co mmit te e on I nter nat io nal Org an izat ions and M ov em en ts

D A N T E B. F A SC E L L. Florida. Chairman

L. U. FO U N TA IN , North Carolina 

OM AR B U R LE SO N , Texas 

DO N ALD M. F R A SE R , Minnesota 

BE NJA M IN S. RO SE N TH AL, New Yo rk 

EDW AR D R. R O Y B A L, California

H. R. GROSS , Iowa

P E T E R H. B. F R E L IN G H U Y S E N , New Jersey 

ED W AR D J. D ER W IN SK I, Illinois

Mar ian A. Czarn ecki, Staff Consultant

Hel en L. Hasha ge n, Staff Assistant
C O N T E N T S

WITNESSES

Monday, June 7, 1965: .

Warren, George L., Adviser on Refugee and Migration Affairs Page

Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs, Department of State----- 1

MEMORANDUMS AND STATEMENTS SUBMITTED 

FOR THE RECORD

Text of H.R. 8715_____________________________________________ 1

Directing officers and staff of ICR C--------------------------------------- 7-7 -- §

Contributions to the ICRC from Governments and Red Cross Societies,

1963 and 1964_______________________________________________ 9

Increased contributions from governments to ICRC from 1960 to present. 11

Annual expenditures, 1960-1964, ICRC ------------------------------------------ 21

Letter, Gen. James F. Collins, U.S. Army (retired), president, the American

National Red Cross, to Hon. Abba P. Schwartz, Administrator, Bureau of

Security and Consular Affairs, Department of Sta te------------------------ 13

in

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE

RED CROSS

MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1965

House of Representatives,

Committee on F oreign Affairs,

Subcommittee on International

Organizations and Movements,

Washington, D.C.

The Subcommittee on Inte rnational Organizations and Movements 

met, purs uant to notice, at 10 o’clock in room 2200 Rayburn House 

Office Building, Hon. Dante B. Fascell (chairman of the subcommittee) 

presiding.

Mr. Fascell. The subcommittee will come to order.

We shall this morning consider H.R. 8715, a bill to authorize a 

contribution by the United States to the International Committee of 

the Red Cross.

(The text of H.R. 8715 follows:)

[H.R. 8715, 89th Cong;, 1st sess.l

A B IL L To authorize a contribu tion by the United States to th e In ternation al Committee of the Red Cross

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of

America in Congress assembled, T ha t there is hereby authorized to be ap propriated, 

ou t of a ny money in the Tre asury not otherwise appropriated, an annual sum of 

$75,000 as a con trib ution on the part of the United States toward the expenses 

incurred by the Inter natio nal Committe e of the Red Cross.

Mr. Fascell. Our principal witness this morning will be Mr. 

George L. Warren, Adviser on Refugee and Migration Affairs, Bureau 

of Security and Consular Affairs, De partm ent of State. Also present 

this morning is Mr. Elmer M. Falk, Director, Office of Refugee and 

Migration Affairs, D epartme nt of State.

Mr. Warren. Tha nk you, Mr. Chairman.

I have a rather brief statement which I would like to read, if I may.

Mr. Fascell. You m ay proceed.

STATEMENT OF GEORGE I . WARREN, ADVISER ON REFUGEE AND

MIGR ATION AFFAIRS, BUREAU OF SECURITY AND CONSULAR

AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Mr. Warren. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, 

I appreciate this oppo rtunity to appear before your committee to 

discuss the adm inistration’s proposal tha t legislation be passed 

authorizing appropriations for an annual contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva to assist in defraying 

the expense of tha t organization.

1
2 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS

T have per son ally known the opera tio ns of the In tern atio na l Committee of the Re d Cross over a nu mber of years and have ha d dir ect 

co ntact on special occasion with some o f its ind ividual opera tions and 

servic es. No requ est to the Congres s for authorization for an ap propriat ion has been previously mad e.

The In tern ationa l Comm itte e of the Re d Cross, fou nde d in Genev a 

in 1863, is the moth er org aniza tion of all Red Cross societies and 

Red Cross prin ciples. It is formally recognized in the texts of the 

Genev a con ven tions of 1949 as the agency to su pervise the appli catio n 

of the prov isions of the con ven tion s, to which the Un ite d St ates is 

a pa rty. The specific con ven tion s are:

1. Gen eva Convention for the Am eliora tion of the Conditio ns of 

th e Wo und ed and Sick in Arm ed Force s in the Field.

2. Genev a Co nvention for the Am elio ration of Wo und ed, Sick, and 

Shipwrecke d Mem ber s of Arm ed Forces at Sea.

3. Gen eva Co nvention Re lat ive to the Tre atm en t of Priso ners of 

War (PO W’s).

4. Genev a Co nvention Re lative to th e Protectio n of Civ ilia n Pe rsons in Tim e of War.

Th e specific role of the In tern at io na l Co mm ittee of the Re d Cross 

is to main tain the fund am en tal principles of the Red Cross, name ly:

(а) Im pa rtia lity , act ion indepe nd en t of an y racial, political, religious, or economic con siderations, the un iversality of the Re d Cross 

and the eq ua lity of the na tio na l Red Cro ss societies;

(б) To recognize an y new ly estab lished or reco ns tituted na tio na l 

Red Cross socie ty which fulfills th e con dition s for recognition , and 

to notify othe r na tio na l societie s of suc h recognition:

(c) To un de rta ke the task s incumbe nt on it under the Genev a 

con ven tions;

(d) To take action as a ne utra l org ani zation , in case of war, civil 

war, or intern al strif e, tu endeavor to ins ure th at m ilitary an d civilian 

victim s of su ch conflicts receive prote cti on and assista nce, and t o serve, 

in hu man ita ria n matter s, as an inter med iary bet we en the pa rti es;

(e) To co ntrib ute to th e develop me nt of medical person nel and 

med ical equip me nt, in coo peratio n wi th Re d Cross organization s, the 

medical services of t he Armed Forces, a nd oth er com peten t a utho rit ies;

(f) To work for the conti nual im provem ent of hu man ita ria n in te rnatio nal l aw ;

(</) To accep t the manda tes en tru sted to it by the in tern ationa l 

conferences of the Re d Cross.

Tho se conferences occu r every 3 or 4 y ears, and are attend ed b y all 

the natio nal Re d Cross organi zation s. Th e next conference will be 

in V ienn a, I believe, next yea r.

Mo re specifically, the in te rn at io na l Co mm itte e of the Re d Cross 

serves con tinuously and i mp artia lly in the tro ubled s pots of the wor ld 

to pr otec t bo th military and civilian sufferers from military actions, 

including those resulting from intern al and civil conflicts.

Th e services of the In tern ationa l Co mmittee of t he Re d Cro ss have 

ove r the years since Wo rld War I been a great help to the U.S . Go vern me nt, the U.S. Arm ed Forces, an d Am eric an civilians.

Th e 20th anniv ers ary of the end of hostilities of Wo rld W ar II in 

1965 recalle d man y services of the Intern ationa l Co mmittee of the 

Re d Cross to the vict ims of th at conflict. W ith the help and coo peratio n of the natio na l Red Cross so cietie s an d m any in div idu al volu nte ers,
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS 3

the Internatio nal Committee of the Red Cross conveyed to camps for 

POW’s, civilian internees, and deportees 430,731 tons of relief supplies, 

approximately 36 million parcels, valued at over $800 million. Civilian 

detainees and concentration camp inmates received 6,836 tons of 

relief supplies, over 1,631,000 parcels. In addition, 7,000 tons of 

relief and $5 million in cash for local purchases were furnished to 

POW’s in Japanese hands. Forty-three ships were at the disposal 

of the Internatio nal Committee of the Red Cross in conducting these 

relief operations, 3,565,869 pages of names of POW ’s were registered, 

and over 24 million civilian messages were forwarded to those detained.

The Interna tional Committee of the Red Cross maintains in Geneva 

the Central Tracing Agency, which even to this day continues researches and inquiries concerning POW’s and civilians missing since 

World W ar II.

During 1964 the Central Tracing Agency in Geneva received 43,883 

inquiries concerning POW’s and missing persons and dispatched 

35,491 replies. During the same year new dossiers were opened with 

respect to 15,515 missing persons. Of these, 4,297 were located during 

1964. Also, the Central Tracing Agency transmitted 5,182 messages 

to POW’s still under detention and delivered 4,795 certificates of 

captivity to former POW’s.

The committee also conducts the Internatio nal Tracing Service 

at Arolsen, Germany, under the directoin of eight Second World 

War Allied Governments and Germany, acting as an organizing committe e to trace persons lost, missing, or separated from relatives in 

Central Europe during World War II. From Janu ary to June 1964, 

some 110,726 inquiries were received by the International Tracing 

Service in Arolsen for information concerning missing persons, certificates of death, photocopies of documents and certificates used in 

indemnification proceedings and requests for statistical data. Over 

82,000 reports were supplied during the same year, of which 1,305 

were made in response to inquiries originating in the United States. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross operates the International Tracing Service at and under the direction of the Committee 

of Governments. The cost of administration is borne by the German 

Government.

Currently, the Internationa l Committee of the Red Cross is carrying out many activities and services in foreign countries which are of 

special interest to the United States. From August to November 

1964, five American consular personnel and several American missionaries were among large numbers of foreigners held as hostages 

by rebel forces in Stanleyville in the Congo. The International 

Committee of the Red Cross, by untiring efforts, managed to fly a

planeload of medical supplies and medical personnel into Stan leyville on September 25, 1964, and to bring out some 864 personal 

messages from the hostages. The constant pressure exerted by the 

International Committee of th e Red Cross throughout the period of 

rebel control was a central factor in restraining the rebels from taking 

more severe action against many of the hostages.

Early in 1964, after the outbreak of hostilities in Cyprus, the 

Internatio nal Committee of the Red Cross assumed the function of 

facilitating the clearance and distribution of sorely needed relief 

supplies sent into Cyprus from abroad in behalf of the refugees. 

This task was successfully accomplished at a time when the question
4 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

of the shipm ent and distr ibution of supplies to refugees in Cy prus 

was a hig hly charged political issue. Th e In tern ationa l Comm itte e 

of the Re d Cross is continuing this fu nction as a me asu re of assista nce 

to the overall efforts of the United Nations forces in Cy prus, and 

ha s helped significantly in stabiliz ing th e cur re nt politica l situati on .

After the arr iva l of Ti be tan refuge es in Ne pal in 1959, the In te rna tio na l Co mm itte e of the Re d Cross was the only internationa l 

age ncy a dm itt ed to th at co un try an d initiated a p rog ram of assista nce 

to the refugees from its own reso urces. Subsequentl y, the U.S. 

Go vernme nt pro vided Public La w 480 ag ric ult ura l com modities to 

me et the min imu m food nee ds of the refu gees an d to pr ev en t star va ­

tion. Th ese supplies have been di strib uted by the In tern atio na l 

Co mm ittee of the Red Cross in Ne pal, which ha s proved to be the 

only accep tab le channe l throu gh which such feeding cou ld have been 

acco mplished.

At the requ est of the Un ite d St ates, the In tern ationa l Co mm itte e 

of the Re d Cross has sou ght to prom ote the welfare of sev eral U.S. 

military an d civilian person nel de tai ned by the Co mm unist Pat het 

Lao in Lao s. Th roug h the In tern atio na l Co mm itte e of the Red 

Cross inter vention , mail has been delivered to detain ees , and additio nal efforts in their b ehalf t hrou gh t he provision of m edical supplies 

are being con tinu ed.

At the requ est of our Go vernme nt, the In tern atio na l Co mm itte e 

of the Re d Cross has ma de pe rsi ste nt efforts in Nor th Vie tnam 

(som etim es successfully), to enabl e sev eral U.S. military pers onnel 

de tai ned in Nor th Vietn am to estab lish co ntact wi th relativ es and 

friends in the Un ite d State s. Sim ilar efforts are m ade to assist Am erican person nel d eta ine d in So uth Vietn am by t he Na tio na l Liberat ion 

Fr on t. More rec ently, throug h th e help ful services of th e Camb odia n Re d Cross, relief pac kag es have also been dis patch ed to the 

detain ees .

In the Cu ban crisis of 1962 at th e req uest of the Un ite d Na tions, 

th e In tern at io na l Comm itte e of the Re d Cross was prep ared to condu ct certa in im pa rtial inspec tion s, the nec essity for whi ch did no t 

ma terialize.

Re centl y in the ou tbreak of hostilities in the Do minic an Republic 

the In tern atio na l Comm itte e of t he Re d Cross Latin Am eric an rep rese ntative proceeded to the Do mi nic an Republic whe re he has been 

instru men tal in assi sting to arr ange the cease fire. He is still active 

in atte m pt in g to prote ct the welfare, in accordance wi th Red Cross 

prin ciples, of th ose detai ned by ei ther side.

Th e In tern ationa l Co mm itte e of the Re d Cross has been active in 

a nu mber of oth er area s, such as Yem en, where conflict is c ontinuing. 

Th e In tern ationa l Co mm ittee of the Red Cross mainta ins a field 

hospita l in Yemen which is practic all y the only med ical service 

ava ilable to th ose injured in the hostilit ies. Th e lives of t wo Am erican 

new sme n were sav ed rec en tly b y the services pro vid ed by the h osp ital 

and the efforts of the Co mmittee to evacu ate the m successfully.

Th e an nu al exp end itures of the In tern ationa l Co mm itte e of the 

Red Cro ss over m any y ears h as appro xim ate d $1,150,000 to $2 million. 

Ac tua l expen diture s in 1963 were $1,086,704 and in 1964 they were
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS 5

The 1965 budget amounting to $1,146,210 is broken down as 

follows:

Relief and other services in the field, tha t is, in other countries away

from Switzerland ___________________________________________ $487, 724

General costs, hea dqu arters expenses____________________________ 321, 932

Adm inistrative costs at hea dquarters_____________________,______ 336, 554

To tal___________________ ____ ________________________ 1,146,210

Toward the annual budget in 1964, 59 governments contributed 

$471,821 and 56 National Red Cross societies, including the American 

Red Cross, contributed $133,059, or a total of $604,880 out of total 

expenditures of $1,045,728. The balance of expenditures was covered 

by donations from the general public in Switzerland and other countries, income from invested funds and reimbursements and contributions toward relief operations in prior years.

The present proposal tha t the U.S. Government contribute $75,000 

annually to the administrative and other costs of the International 

Committee of the Red Cross is modest and related to the contributions 

of other governments. The largest contribution from any government 

is tha t of $231,054 annually from the Government of Switzerland. 

Other substantial contributors among the governments are Australia, 

Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and 

the United Kingdom.

The proposed U.S. contribution will reflect the appreciation and 

immeasurable benefits received by the U.S. Government and the 

American people from the varied services of the Internatio nal Committee of the Red Cross.

Mr. Fascell. Thank you, Mr. Warren.

As I understand, the proposed authorization of $75,000 is an 

agreed amount which has been deemed reasonable by the Department?

Mr. Warren. Agreed among ourselves. The contribution is 

purely voluntary. We think tha t particular amount is appropriate 

in amount among the contributions of all the governments. I do 

not think we can ever pay adequately for all the services which the 

Red Cross performs. They do go in, whether they have the money 

or not, and act on the spot and as quickly as possible and do perform 

a remarkable service.

Mr. Fascell. I am sure of that, Mr. Warren, and we all agree with 

that. Since this is the initial authorization for a contribution by 

the U.S. Government, what change in facts or thinking has brought 

this about?

Mr. Warren. Up to this year, Mr. Chairman, we more or less 

depended on the contribution of $25,000 from the American Red 

Cross to the Committee to cover the responsibilities of the American 

people toward their efforts. The number of trouble spots throughout 

the world seems to be increasing. The costs of the Committee are 

increasing. As you can see, the contributions of all the governments 

and all the Red Cross societies account for only half of the income to 

cover the expenditures. Even with interest from invested funds, 

they have been running deficits for the last 7 or 8 years from $125,000 

to $150,000 a year which they have to scrape up from wherever they 

can get it. When they really get into trouble, they just put the 

burden on the Swiss people themselves.

49 -1 34— 65------ 2
6 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS

Mr. Fascell. I think it always has been assumed that the contributions by the American people to the American Red Cross were 

in such amount and such nature tha t they would adequately cover 

any international participation. Would it be anticipated tha t the 

contribution by the American Red Cross itself would continue to 

the international committee?

Mr. Warren. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Fascell. With this authorization you would have two contributions. One would be from the American Red Cross, and the 

other would be through the Government.

Mr. Warren. Yes. You see, among the contributors are 59 

governments and 58 national Red Crosses essentially in the same 

countries. So, the duality of contribution is quite normal. Fiftynine governments contribute in tha t manner, and their Red Crosses 

do, also.

Mr. Fascell. Mr. Gross.

Mr. Gross. Mr. Warren, the American Red Cross has been making 

a $25,000 contribution in the past.

Mr. Warren. That is true.

Mr. Gross. The organization somehow or other has been able 

to get along without a Federal contribution up to this point all 

through the years, is th at not true?

Mr. Warren. Yes. The situation now is tha t there are more 

trouble spots and the costs are increasing.

Mr. Gross. I am surprised to hear that, because I thought with all 

of the things tha t we were doing around the world, with aid programs 

of all kinds, contributions to all kinds of international organizations, 

foreign aid at the rate of anywhere from $3.5 to $6 or $7 billion a year, 

we were supposed to be doing pretty well by way of contributing, and 

there are those who say that this has held down trouble throughout 

the world. 1 am a little bit surprised to hear you say this morning 

that we now have to embark upon another contribution and dig into 

the pockets of the taxpayers of this country for a contribution to 

another international organization.

Mr. Warren. This is a different situation, Mr. Congressman—and we are very much interested in resolving this—in which no national 

government, including our own, can intervene. The International 

Committee is in a very unique position and can intervene because of its 

well-known reputation.

Mr. Gross. Thay have been doing this through the years, have 

they not?

Mr. Warren. Yes; they have.

Mr. Gross. And without a contribution from the Treasury of this 

country which, incidentally, is in serious trouble. We are about to 

be called upon to again hike the debt limit in this country. I ju st do 

not understand why we have to come in at this time with a Federal 

contribution when you say it has been successfully operating all 

through the years.

I would not say tha t you were exactly modest in starting this off 

at $75,000. The history of all these things is tha t they increase as 

time goes on. Would you anticipate tha t there would be an increase 

next year?

Mr. Warren. I would not; no.
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS 7

Mr. Gross. You might not anticipate it, but you would not be 

surprised if there was an increase, would you?

Mr. Warren. That is always possible, Mr. Congressman, but we do 

not anticipate it.

Mr. Gross. Who is the chairman of the American Red Cross?

Mr. Warren. General Collins, I believe.

Mr. Gross. General Collins?

Mr. Warren. Yes.

Mr. Gross. Who is the president of it?

Mr. Warren. I am sorry.

Mr. Gross. General Gruentlier is no longer the chairman?

Mr. Warren. He has retired, and I thing he has been succeeded 

by General Collins.

Mr. Gross. Is he living in tha t house just off Massachusetts 

Avenue?

Mr. Warren. He has been only recently appointed by the President. It is possible he may be living there. I do not know specifically.

Mr. Gross. Is he getting a $35,000 a year salary, or do you know?

Mr. Warren. I do not know what the salary is.

Mr. Gross. And a rent-free house worth $75,000 or so?

Mr. Warren. I believe the American Red Cross owns the house.

Mr. Gross. Yes; they do, and they give it to him rent free, as I 

understand it, along with a Cadillac and a driver.

Mr. Warren, I think we can very well go on with the American 

Red Cross donating $25,000 a year. Surely this organization is in a 

position to make a contribution to the Internatio nal Committee. I 

think we can very well go on, on that basis.

Incidentally, did the Internatio nal Red Cross supply the planes for 

transporting whatever material it was tha t they shipped into 

Stanleyville?

Mr. Warren. Yes.

Mr. Gross. Or did the Air Force of the United States supply the 

planes?

Mr. Warren. No; the Red Cross supplied the planes.

Mr. Gross. Where did they get the planes?

Mr. Warren. Switzerland.

Mr. Gross. In Switzerland?

Mr. Warren. Yes. They flew from Basle.

Mr. Gross. The international headquarters is in Switzerland?

Mr. Warren. The international headquarters are in Geneva.

Mr. Gross. That is a lovely place to have an international headquarters, they tell me. Nowadays, about every international organization eventually has a conference in Switzerland. I can understand 

why the Swiss would put up $250,000 as a contribution to the Int ernational Red Cross. They do very well, apparently, on their take 

from the international headquarters of the Red Cross.

That is all I have at this time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Fascell. Mr. Fraser.

Mr. Fraser. Mr. Warren, could you tell me something about how 

the Internatio nal Committee is perpetuated? That is, who is on it?

Mr. Warren. It is composed of 25 Swiss citizens. Th at number of 

Committee is maintained from year to year.

Mr. Fraser. Do the 25 Swiss citizens make up the board?
8 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

Mr. Warren. Make up the Committee; yes.

Mr. Fraser. They elect their successors?

Mr. Warren. Yes. When there are resignations, the Committee 

nominates and elects successors. Their delegates who conduct these 

missions in these trouble spot areas are all Swiss. The great asset of 

the Committee is its reputation for impartiality and neutrality.

Mr. Fraser. It is really entirely a Swiss operation-----

Mr. Warren. It is a Swiss operation.

Mr. Fraser. In the sense of personnel and direction, although it is 

international in its support and activities.

Mr. Warren. Yes. The League of Red Cross Societies, whose 

members are the National Red Crosses, and the International Committee, which is an independent committee, a Swiss committee— those two organizations cooperate in developing the National Red 

Cross Societies throughout the world, encouraging them, helping 

them, training their people, and spreading the Red Cross principles of 

service.

Mr. F raser. Are these 25 board members otherwise engaged in 

full-time work unrelated to the Red Cross?

Mr. Warren. Yes. They are prominent Swiss persons who are 

elected because of their outstanding status in the country.

Mr. Fraser. Could you tell me just a little bit about the staff they 

have—who heads it, how many people they have, and so on?

Maybe I am asking questions which are beyond your knowledge, sir.

Mr. Warren. I know the head of the staff, Mr. Gallopin. The 

staff varies, of course, from time to time. The headquarters staff is 

more or less constant. I do not know the exact number. The entire 

operation at headquarters from the administrative point of view 

costs around $300,000 a year. That gives you some idea of it. I 

can get tha t number and supply it later.

Mr. Fascell. Will you supply tha t for the record, please?

Mr. Warren. Yes.

(The requested information follows:)

T he IC R C per m an en t staff to ta ls 197. D irec ting officers ar e:

Rog er Ga llo pin, ex ec ut ive dire ct or .

Je an P ic te t, di re ct or for ge ne ra l aff airs.

Cla ud e Pillo ud , deputy dir ec to r fo r ge ne ral aff airs.

Pi er re Basset, ch ief of ad m in is tr ati on an d fin an ce .

Vol un teer s for service ab ro ad to ta l 111. The y rece ive no paym ent wh ile in 

st an d b y st atu s. W he n se rv ing abro ad th ey rec eive per diem all ow an ce s an d 

m od es t salarie s.

Mi-. Warren. They maintain a group of responsible individuals 

who volunteer to perform missions abroad. I think they sign up for 

2 years, and they volunteer as individuals. Most of them are men, 

of course, doctors, lawyers. They receive training and they commit 

themselves to 6 weeks’ service abroad in the field operation.

It would be impossible to maintain a staff to do the fieldwork, because the load varies from time to time. They have used this device. 

It is somewhat on the order of our Peace Corps, really. They are 

responsible and trained persons who undertake to serve over a period 

of 2 years for at least 6 weeks’ service. Sometimes they get stuck and 

cannot come home at the end of 6 weeks.

Mr. Fraser. Does the $75,000 which is being requested, originate 

from the international office? In other words, are they looking for 

increased support from the various national societies?
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS 9

Mr. Warren. Yes. They are constantly pressing our National 

Red Cross Society and all the governments to increase their contributions. We have considered tha t in comparison with the contributions of other governments, $75,000 is a reasonable amount for 

us to contribute.

Mr. Fraser. You have indicated that the Swiss themselves contrib ute $250,000.

Mr. Warren. Yes.

Mr. Fraser. What is the next highest contribution, do you know? 

Could we get for the record a list of the contributions?

Mr. Warren. I could give you for the record a list of the contributions of the governments, and also the National Red Cross contributions, in 1963. The financial report for 1964 has not yet been received 

but we will trv to tret the information. But it will not vary very 

much.

Mr. Fascell. Would you supply for us, please, Mr. Warren, both 

lists of contributions. Th at would be very helpful.

Mr. Warren. Yes, sir.

(The requested information follows:)

Contributions to the IC RC fro m governments and Re d Cross societies in 1963 and 1964

C o u n tr ie s

1963 1964

G over nm en ts

R ed Cro ss 

so cieties

G over nm en ts

R ed Cro ss 

so cieties

A fg h an is ta n .......... ......... ............. ............. ..................... $69 3.16 A lb an ia _____________ _____ _____ ____ _______ $161.74

6,9 36 .66

924.21

1,1 55.27

$161.74

6,3 53 .97 

1,155.2 7 

2,888.1 7

A u str a li a .______ _________________ _____ _ $16, 669. 03 

3,8 58 .60 

2,310.5 4 

2,2 89.48 

231.05 

1,4 78. 74

16,613. 75

3,85 1.66 

2,3 10.54

A u s t r ia ...................................... .....................

B elg iu m ............... ................... ...............

B ra zil . .................... ............. ............... ...........................

B u lg ari a_ _______ ______________ 750.92 

231.05

231.05

1,4 78.74

1,0 39.74 

346.58 

462.11

6,896.9 5

B u rm a ______________ ______ ___________

C am b o d ia ______________________ __________

C an a d a__ _________ _________________ 13,7 97. 96 

698.9 4

6,948.9 4 13,79 3.6 2 

697.20 

1,9 92.84

C e y lo n .. ........... ........... ........................... ....... ...............

C h il e__________________ _____________________ 1,155. 27

1,155. 27

860.91

110.91 

693.16

924.21 

2,310.5 4

822.04 

110.91 

693.16 

462.11

498 .21 

231.05

89.07

519.87 

693.16 

6,931.6 1

1,386.2 3 

7, 01 3.68 

462.11 

1, 270.79 

577.63 

115.53 

623.15

C h in a _________________________________________

C olo m bia ___________________________ _________ 3,9 74 .12 3,984. 29 C o sta R ic a........................................ ....................... ..

C ze ch osl ov ak ia ..................................................... .........

D e n m a rk ....... .... .................................. 4,3 34 .42 4,31 9.30 D o m in ic an R ep u b li c__________________________ 576.85 

209 .10 

89.23 

519.87 

804.07 

5,7 76.34

1,3 86.23 

5,7 76.34 

485.21 

1,1 55.27 

577.63

E c u a d o r________________________________ ____ 343.43 

705 .46

205.52 

706.28 E l S alv a to r_______ ______ ______ __________ . .

E th io p ia ______________________ _____

F in la n d _______________ _________ 1,155.27 

14,23 2.9 0

1,8 48.43 

14,23 2.9 0 F ra n c e ................ ............. ...............

G erm any:

D em ocra ti c R ep u b li c...........................................

F ed era l R ep u b li c o f............. . ............................... 12,518 .47 25,08 0.4 3 G h a n a ............ ............................. .......................

G re ec e________ _____ _______________ __________ 4,1 58 .96

231.05

4,15 8.9 6 

231.05 H u n g a ry _______ _______ ________ __________

I c e la n d .. _______ _____________ ______ ______

In d ia ___________ ____________________ . 15,665 .43

4,6 21. 07 

1,848. 43 

1,2 70. 79 

1,732. 90 

13,863 .22 

369.69 

4,9 92.20 

837.34

623.84 15,66 5.4 3

4,6 21.07 

1,8 48.43 

1,7 32.90

Ira n ........... .................................................

I r a q ........................... . ............. ................................. .. 866.45 

924.21

808.69 

808.69 Ire la n d ................... ................................................. ..

Is ra e l................. ........... . ..................... .............................

I ta ly __________ ______________ ________________ 6,899.4 9

Iv o ry C oas t.............. ............................................... ..

J a p a n . . . . ........................ . ........................... .............. 4,6 21. 07 5,0 50.83 

833.18

6,931.6 1 Jo rd a n ............................................................ ....................

K ore a:

D em o cra ti c R ep u b li c o f (N o rth )__________ 462.11 R ep u b li c o f (S outh ).......... ................... ................ 1,7 48.28 936.19 

433.23 

462.11

L aos........... ........... ..................... ....................... ................

L e b a n o n ..______ _____________________________ 1,353.85

580.26

677.6 3

1,3 33. 01 577.63 L ib e ria ________ ________________ ______ _______

L ie ch te n ste in ................................................................... 2,8 88.17
10 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS

Contributions to the IC RC fro m governments and Red Cross societies

1963 and 1964— Co ntinued

1963 1964

C ountr ie s

G o v ern ­

m en ts

R ed Cro ss 

socie tie s

G over nm ents

R ed Cr os s 

so cie tie s

L uxem bourg .

M ad ag ascar. .

M al ay si a.........

Me xic o______

M on ac o_____

Mo rocco _____

N eth e rl a n d sN ew Ze alan d.

N ic ara g u a___

N ig er ia ............

N orw ay_____

P ak is ta n .........

P e ru ________

P h il ip p in es___________

P o la n d _______________

P o rt u g al______ ______ _

R u m a n ia ...........................

San M a rin o ............ .........

S au di A ra b ia _________

Se ne ga l_______________

Sie rra Leo ne_______ ...

S outh A fr ic a........... ........

S p ain ___ ____ ________

Sw eden _______________

S w it ze rl an d___________

S y ri a_________________

T a n g an y ik a__________

T h a il a n d _____________

T o g o .. ..............................

T u n is ia ______________

T u rk e y ......... ............... ..

U n it ed A ra b R ep u b li c

U nited K in gdom _____

U nit ed S ta te s________

U pper V olt a...................

U ru g u ay ______ ____

U .S .S .R ......................................... . ...........

V en ez ue la _____________ _____ ______

V ie tn am :

D em ocra tic R ep u b li c o f (N o rt h )

R ep ubli c of ( S o u th )______ ______

Y ugosl av ia _________________________

T ota l.

$462.11 

369.69

$866. 45

1,1 09.06 

3,9 94 .92

415 .90 

3,0 03 .70 

5,5 73.01

2,7 72 .64

2,57 8.56 

3,46 5.80 

2,3 10. 54

2o l.0 5 

2,990,01

462.11 

475 .28 

8,35 9.5 2

9.591.2 7

231 ,053.60

1,3 88.63

346 .58

13,972 .97 

407.1 2

3,34 0.2 3

912.60 

1,3 86.32

433 ,42 2.7 4

577.63 

577. 63 

6,0 99.82 

1,8 84.28 

398.80

1,155.27 

577.63 

693.16

1,10 9.06 

1, 732.90

$462.11

369.69

1,109.0 6 

3,9 85 .67 

693.16 

878.00 

3,00 3.7 0 

8,35 0.8 5 

149.49 

1,117.3 8 

2,77 2.64

$693.16

462.11

924.21 

4j 3. 23

3,956.7 9

115.53

794.25

439.00 

2,454.94

8,3 96.78 

i 29,996. 53

151. 53 

3,767. 56

404.34 

462.11 

577.63

115 ,818 .61

2, 57 8.56 

3, 46 5.80 

„, 003.70

462.11 

2,99 0. 01

487.99 

472.53 

8,3 45 .66

9.71 2.22

231 ,053.6 1

1.386.3 2 

3,46 5.80 

369.69 

415 .90 

1.1 12 .72 

6,9 31. 61 

27,89 9.7 2 ,

406. 65

4,48 7.06

922.97 

1.3 86 .32 

471,8 20. 93 |

5,7 76.34 

1,732.90 

373.76 

462.11 

693.16 

577.63 

820.24 

1,1 55.27 

1,3 86.32

1,155. 27 

462.11

3,4 65.80 

499.3 2

115.53

693.16

6,9 77 .82 

» 44,851.89

115.53 

3 ,7 o6 .17

462 .11 

462.11 

462.11

133 ,058 .68

i T he a n n u a l A m er ic an R ed Cro ss c o n tr ib u ti o n is $25,000. I n a d d it io n , th e R ed Cro ss f rom ti m e t o t im e 

m akes s pe ci al co n tr ib u ti o n s to s pe cific p ro je ct s p arti cu la rly t h e Y em en H o sp it al.

Mr. Fraser. I want to thank Mr. Warren for being willing to 

come here and testify today. I am very sympathetic with his request. 

I think the International Red Cross has done a wonderful job for us 

all.

Mr. Warren. They do very unique things. For instance, under 

the Peace Trea ty with Japan, they were given the function of distributing $12 million to former prisoners of war held by the Japanese 

who did not receive any reparations from their home governments. 

They are distributing money supplied by the German Government to 

sufferers from medical experiments by the Nazis in countries where 

the German Government has no diplomatic relations and can make no 

diplomatic agreement. 1 could go on listing things like that.

Mr. F ascell. Mr. Derwinski.

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Chairman, may I ask that for the record 

we also be supplied with not only the amount of contributions 

tha t the various countries have provided in past years, but the
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS 11

anticipated amount that they would be contributing this year. 

Evidently there has been some agreement reached tha t the $75,000 

is to help meet the budget and this is a suggested figure. Obviously, 

other countries also have been the recipient of such suggestions. 

Would it be out of order to make that request?

Mr. Fascell. Of course it is not out of order. It is just a question 

of whether Mr. Warren can supply tha t information.

Mr. Warren. I can supply that. I have a report of what has been 

contributed so far this year by certain governments. I have the total 

contributed in 1964 by the governments and by the national Red 

Crosses, but not broken down by individual countries.

Mr. F ascell. You have the 1965 budget?

Mr. Warren. I can give you the 1965 budget. 1

Mr. Fascell. Can you give us the information which Mr. Derwinski has requested with respect to the anticipated contributions?

Mr. Warren. I would have to request the International Committe e to provide tha t information. We haven’t it here.

Mr. Fascell. Thank you, sir.

(The requested information follows:)

Increased contributions fro m governments to Internatio nal Committee of the Red

Cross from 1960 to the present

[U.S. dollars to nearest hundred]

Australia:

1960 _____________________________________________________ $11,100

1961 through 1964__________________________________________ 16, 600

Colombia:

1961 and 1960__________________ ________ _________________ 3,50 0

1962 through 1964__________________________________________ 4, 000

Denmark:

1960 th rough 1962__________________________________________ 2, 300

1963 throu gh 1964__________________________________________ 4, 400

France :

1960 through 1962__________________________________________ 12, 000

1963 th rough 1965__________________________________________ 14, 300

Promised for 1966__________________________________________ 20, 800

Germ an Federal Republic:

1960 through 1963__________________________________________ 12, 500

1964 ___________________________ _________ ________________ 25,0 00

1965 bud geted_____________________________________________ 37, 700

Greece;

I960 thro ugh 1962__________________________________________ 3, 500

1963 through 1964__________________________________________ 4, 200

Ireland:

1960 through 1963__________________________________________ 1, 300

1964 ______________________________________________________ 1, 700

Monaco:

1960 th rough 1963__________________________________________ 500

1964 ______________________________________________________ 700

Netherlands:

1960 through 1962___________ ________ _____________________ 2, 300

1963 and 1964________________ ______________ ____ ________ 3,00 0

1965 ______________________________________________________ 3, 500

New Zealand:

1960 thro ugh 1963__________________________________________ 5, 500

1964 _____________________ ____ ________________ j _________ 8,30 0

United Kingdom:

1960 a nd 1961___________________________ 11,300

1962 ______________________________________________________ 13, 900

1963 through 1965__________________________________________ 28, 000

1

 (See p. 5.)
12 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Warren, on page 6 of your prepared testimony 

you indicated tha t the annual budget of the Internatio nal Red Cross 

lias varied from $1,150,000 to $2 million.

Mr. Warren. Million. $1,086,704 in 1963.

Mr. Derwinski. The figures you gave for 1963 and 1965 both 

indicate a minimum type figure within your range tha t you gave us. 

Could you give us, for example, the budgeted expenditures for years 

previous to 1963 so that we have an idea of how the cost fluctuates?

Mr. Warren. I think I could get them.

Mr. Derwinski. At the time you submit this other material.

Mr. Warren. I can tell you the actual expenditure figure for 1964. 

It is $1,045,728.

Mr. Derwinski. My question was directed-----

Mr. Warren. It is very close.

Mr. Derwinski. You indicated that the range was from $1,150,000 

to $2 million. All the figure that you quoted us are very close to the 

$1,150,000. I am curious as to what the expenditures have been for 

a number of years prior to 1963.

Mr. Warren. I will get that.

(The requested information follows:)

Annual expenditures by International Committee of the Red 

past 5 years have been as follows:

1960 ________________________________________________________

1961 __________________________________________

1962 _______________________________________________________

1963 ____________________________________________________

1964 ________________________________________________

Cross for the

$815, 387. 93 

884, 704. 25 

957, 024. 03 

1, 086, 704. 22 

1, 045, 728. 01

The $2 million figure of expenditures referred to in the testimony applied to 

earlier war years.

Mr. Fascell. Do you happen to know the largest budget in recent 

years? That is what he is after.

Mr. Warren. No, I don’t.

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Warren, we are advised that your title is 

Adviser on Refugee and Migration Matters.

Mr. Warren. Yes, sir.

Mr. Derwinski. I assume this means you are on a per diem basis 

at the State Department?

Mr. Warren. No, no.

Mr. Derwinski. What is your status?

Mr. Warren. I am on the staff of the State Departm ent.

Mr. Derwinski. Permanent staff?

Mr. Warren. Permanent staff, and I have been there since 1943.

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Warren, in answer to a question from the 

chairman, do we assume that since we are making this contribution 

we are asked to make—this contribution of $75,000—that the American Red Cross will continue making its $25,000 contribution. I 

would like to know if this is an absolute fact or are we operating on 

merely assumption?

Mr. Warren. I am quite confident that tha t is so. If the committee would be interested to have some statem ent to tha t effect I 

think I can secure it.

(The following letter was subsequently provided:)
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TH E RED CROSS 13

The American National Red Cross,

Washington, D.C., Jun e 10, 1965. Hon. Abba P. Schwartz,

Administrator, liureau of Security and Consular Affairs,

Department of State, Washington, D.C.

Dear Abba: This is in response to your letter of Jun e 10 concerning the 

annual contribution of the American Red Cross to the Intern ational Com mittee 

of th e Red Cross.

For many years the American Red Cross has followed t he practice of making 

an annual contributio n of $25,000 to the Intern ational Committe e to help defray 

the ir general adm inistrative expenses and program activ ities. We enjoy a close 

and m utua lly beneficial re lationship with the Committee and it is our in tention to 

continue to make a similar contribu tion each year in the future.

From time to time we have made additional contributions to the Intern ational 

Committe e to help finance special projects of th at organizatio n. It is also our 

intention to contin ue this type of special support where it is necessary a nd to our 

interests.

Sincerely,

J ames F. Collins, 

General, U.S. Army (Retired).

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that the 

only two witnesses tha t you plan are these two gentlemen from the 

State Department. Is there any special reason why the Red Cross 

representative is not here?

Mr. Fascell. I would assume as a tax exempt organization they 

would rather not testify, Mr. Derwinski. If you force their hand or 

you w ant to subpena them they might testify.

Mr. Derwinski. I would not think of carrying the matter that far. 

I am curious why the State Department is the official spokesman for 

the American Red Cross in this case.

Mr. Fascell. Because, actually, as I understand it, this is an 

authorization request for the International Committee of the Red 

Cross.

Mr. Derwinski. Mr. Warren, may I ask you this question, then : 

Did the American Red Cross approach the S tate Department and ask 

for $75,000 or did the State Department suggest to the Red Cross 

that they help provide $75,000 for this project?

Mr. Warren. No. I want to correct one impression. The 

figure of $75,000 is not a figure t hat is agreed upon with the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is a State Department 

figure. The American Red Cross thoroughly approves this action 

and this request.

Mr. Derwinski. At whose suggestion was this idea of $75,000 

authorization and appropriation developed? Was that State Dep artment initiative or American Red Cross initiative?

Mr. Warren. It was State Department initiative entirely.

Mr. Gross. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. Derwinski. Yes, if I have time.

Mr. Gross. What makes a tax-exempt organization immune from 

testifying before a committee? Why should they not come in and 

testify?

Mr. Fascell. They have not been subpenaed or invited, nor have 

they volunteered to testify, Mr. Gross. If you would like to hear 

from them, fine—but 1 do not know w hat the American Red Cross 

has to do with this. 1 suppose they could advise us what they think 

about this hut Mr. Warren has already told us that.

Mr. Gross. They have everything to do with it.
14 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

Mr. Fraser. Mr. Chairman, I assume there is a problem about 

lobbying in maintaining tax exempt statu s.

Mr. Fascell. I assume there is too, but I do not want to get into 

a legal seminar on th at question.

Mr. Gross. Would it be illegal to appear before a committee of 

Congress?

Mr. Fascell. Mr. Rosenthal.

Mr. Rosenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Warren, I think you have indicated in your testimony that some 

58, 59, or 60 governments have contributed to this Internatio nal Red 

Cross, is that correct?

Mr. Warren. Yes.

Mr. R osenthal. Something in the area of 60. Over how long a 

period of time has that system gone on?

Mr. Warren. For some years, sir.

Mr. Rosenthal. I am curious as to why, if these other governments 

participated all during that period of time, the U.S. Government 

had not also participated.

Mr. Warren. Well, perhaps we should have, Congressman. It 

is a fact, however, tha t we did depend on the contribution from the 

American Red Cross, which has been unusual among governments and 

international Red Crosses, among 60 other governments. Because 

59 or 60 other governments——■

Mr. Rosenthal. In these 60 other countries, their national Red 

Cross made a contribution in addition to the federal government

contribution?

Mr. Warren. Yes. I think there are 59 governments and 58 

national Red Crosses.

Mr. Rosenthal. It would seem to me that we have almost been 

a little remiss in not meeting our responsibilities.

Mr. Warren. I think one can draw that conclusion, Mr. 

Congressman.

Mr. Rosenthal. That is the conclusion that I draw. If we want 

to support international organizations and peacekeeping machineries, 

and are interested in the welfare of people, certainly no one can argue 

that the International Red Cross has not done an outstanding job in 

this field. I really do not understand why we have not willingly 

joined in this joint international effort before. I am almost willing 

to take the State Department to task for being so tard y in making 

this suggestion.

Than k you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Fascell. Mrs. Bolton.

Mrs. B olton. No questions.

Mr. F ascell. Mr. Roybal.

Mr. Roybal. No questions, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Fascell. Thank you very much, Mr. Warren. If you will 

supply the information requested as promptly as possible we would 

appreciate it.

Mr. Warren. Yes, sir.

(Thereupon, at 10:40 a.m., the subcommittee proceeded with other 

business.)

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