The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-25
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in danger of their being maintained by the
sword; and until the balance of power"
upon which the existence of nations is sup
posed largely to depend, shall mean some
thing more than the mere strength of their
armies, nations and people must loo more
or less to this dlreful savior for even physi-
cal life.
The outbreak of a war tomorrow between
Russia, Austria and Turkey would be moth
ing the surprise to the world as vas the
declaration of war between France and
Germany, IN this same month twenty years
ago. Their comparative provocation, ne
cessity or the relative value of the causes
which led to the one or would lead to the
other must be left to the general intelligence
and diplomatic wisdom of the world to de-
eide.
Blu she allusion to the Red Cross would
remain the same in both. Napoleon Ill.
declared war upon Germany on the 18th of
July, 1870. On the 10Th the international
Red Cross of Geneva, Switzerland. was on
its way to the front" wherever the meet
ing of the c%ontending forces should chance
to make it.
The first men who fell in that great his
toric contest were picked up by the corps
of the Red Cross on the field; all sick and
wounded were, under the stipulations of it's
treaty. held as neutrals and treated as nom
combatants.
In better explanation of the conditions of
the treaty, / will quote direct from a we'll
defined article recently published in a lead
ing magazine. Thu writer says:
"The Red Cross national bodies in time
of war are required to be on land and to
furnish aid; the volunteer bands are formed
in corps, are bound to serve a definite peri
cd, and are required not to NEEDLE with
military affairs. The brassard, or arm
badge, is worn by all in its service. Hos
pitfalls bear the flag over them; their ambu-
lances are designated on the march by the
Red Cross flag. It's corps must be self-sus-
tanning. The international committee pro-
yides that the hospitals and ambulances,
ETC., are considered as neutral ground. I'm
less held by a military force, all persons
employed therein are neutral and non-conl-
batants.
Neutrality continues after victory; inhab.
itants are to be considered free from caring
for wounded; shelter of such to be protec-
ton for all; wounded soldiers to be re.
turned to enemies outposts whenever pos.
sible; on order of commanding general. all
wounded prisoners, incapable of service
again. to be returned; others to be paroled;
absolute neutrality to prevail ut all eyacua-
tions; Red Cross n sanitary attendants to
wear distinctive uniforms and badges"
This treaty has changed not only the
methods of procedure of the medical and
hospital departments of all armies. but Their
insignia, flags. etc. There is but one mill
tary hospital flag in the world to-day. The
commander who knows his own knows that
of the enemy, and he breaks an ~internation-
al treaty if he knowingly turn even a gun or
n stray shot upon it. The convoy of prisoners
under escort bearing that sign is safe; no
officer can FIRE upon that unarmed and de-
fenseless body of men by smistnke;'' no
mistake can be made, nor pretend to be
made. No captured man can longer suffer
for lack of food; the world is pledged to
supply this want, and the way opened to do
it. No fields nor hospitals at Il field can
long lack attendance. nursing, nor the nec-
essaries of life; to this relief the way is
opened. No wounded man can lie unat-
tended upon a captured field. and no at
tendant upon them can be captured. and no
distinction can be made in the care and
nursing; friend and foe are alike to the
workers of the Red Cross.
These are the conditions, and this the
service which the Red Gross would assume
upon the first note of war in Europe. This
il our Red Cross. the same which would
come into instant action in n similar neces-
sity in America, and it is only another
feature of the same. duly recognized by the
great foreign powers. which. as / nin so
we'll asked, rescued the people, fed the
starving cattle, and built and furnished
houses in YOUNGSTOWN. II is this Red
Cross to which the public thought in turned
when news Of a great calamity falls upon
the ear. 1t is simply another part of the
machine. moved by the same motor power
of organized and practical humanity, act
ing under the same regulations, the aame
strict discipline, as II the victims 10 be
served by it had become 80 through human.
rather than elemental conflict.
IL WIS foreseen by those to whom fell the
duty and privilege of framing the National
He'd Gross OF America, upon our accession