The record-union., 1894-12-17

y
sary to say something in that regard be-
cause of the fact that numerous local So
cieties. vaguely realizing some great and
universal beneicence as pertaining to the
words (or to the 'Order' as it is often er-
roneously called), have organized and are
pursuing their well-intentioned aims at
local first aid'' and charity, under the
name Of "Red Cross Societies"
A great deal of misinformation is thus
disseminated; hence, it is not strange
perhaps that the question is asked, why
is not the Red Cross of the United States
taking some part i'll the relief work IN
Corea and China ?'
ORIGIN.
In regard to the origin of the Red Cross,
it will suffice to say that the ideas which
eliminated in the international treaty
now adhered to by forty-four separate
nationaiities, were conceived by Mon
sieur Henri Duuant, a Swiss gentleman,
a member of the Society OF Public Unity
of Switzerland. Happening to witness
the battle of SOlferlno in Italy. June a,
1859, he became horror-stricken by the
needless suffering of the wounded ana
dying, who lay upon the field for days
without medical aid. Monsieur Dunant
described in a souvenir book which ne
wrote the scenes which so profoundly
stirred him. he also set forth III MS
book plans for joining the Governments
Of the world in an international compact
which should afford immunity and pro-
lection to civil aid upon battlehelds,
thereby augmenting the military medical
facilities and reducing the needless su1ler-
ing. His ideas were earnestly taken up
by his society, and with the AID ana CO.
operation OF the Swiss Federal Councll, a
conference of nations w as held IN Geneva
DctOh4T
by The Geneva Convention OF August,
1864, at which the treaty which bears that
name was created. This treaty was at
once signed by sixteen leading nations,
which number has since been increased
to forty, including the y nited States; the
latter gave it's adhesion by Act OF Con-
gress, Marcn l, 1852. The Act was ratl-
fed by the Congress OF Berne-the inter-
national ratifylng power y, IoSZ,
and proclamation by President Arthur
June 26, 1882.
The incoming administration of 1881
was the first to awaken TO the national
importance of the Red Cross, and 10 the
lamented Garfield, Arthur. Blaine and
Window, is due the credit OF graspIng
the merits of the treaty with the utmost
fervor.
The Red Cross Ia red Greek cross on
white ground) is the universally adopted
emblem or Insignia of that organization
which is known as the Red Cross Treaty
OF Geneva.
NJ ETHODS.
The resolutions of the Geneva Con-
ference provide that there shall be, in
every treaty country, one committee,
and only one, whose duty 1t shall be to
cooperate in tiLue of war by all the
means in its power with the medical and
sanitary service OF the army, and this
committee shall place itself In communl-
cation with the Government OF it's own
N that offers
ance, in case of need, may be accepted.
In the event of war the committees OF
belligerent nations shall furnish relief to
their respective armies in proportion 10
their respective resources and, II need be,
they shall solicit the assistance OF COM
mittees of neutral nations within the
treaty.
With the concurrence of the military
authorities they shall, upon request.
place nurses upon the batUle-felds, but
only under the direction OF the military
commanders.
The interchange of communications be-
tween the several national committees is
made through the Swiss committee, which
bears the title of the "Comite Inter-
national" AS early as 1865 it had been
indirectly proposed that the committees
might increase their usefulness by relief
work in cases of calamities other than
war, but the proposal met with no favor.
1t was not until the formation of the
United States Committee i'll 1881, that
such feature, owing TO the earnest
advocacy of such progressive measure
by Miss Clara Barton. took practical
form and thereby broadened the scope OF
the humane work. The matter was lalu
before the National Committee, which
ably seconded Miss Barton's efforts. By
that committee it was su admitted to other
treaty countries, and finally unanimous
sanction was given. The change, or
addition to the original intention, became
known as the american Amendment
What this amendment has meant to the
sufferers by fire, tiooo, pestilence, cy
clones and other great calamltleS IN our
own country during the past dozen years
need not be repeated here. There is
scarcely section OF the country that has
not made its acknowledgment in tears of
gratitude.
Upon adopting the treaty of the Geneva
Convention, each nation Is required to at
once instruct its army III the philan-
thropic and humane objects and the pro-
visions of the treaty.
JAPAN.
Japan gave its adhesion to the Treaty of
SDneVa in 1856. In 1888, at the third re-
uaion of the Japanese Red Cross Associa-
ton, his majesty, the Emperor, was ten-
dered and accepted the Presidency In
accepting, the Emperor spoke as follows
81 am more than honored by this dis
tinguished assembly, in receiving and
accepting this honorable position. 1t
will give me great pleasure to be an active
worker in an active association"
The fullest protection of the emblem of
the Red Cross was given by an imperial
decree for bidding its use 1or any purpose
except by the army and the Red Cross
Association.
There can be little wonder, then, that
the association is doing sucn noble and
efficient work during the present hostili-
ties; nor that the Japanese Minister of
War promulgated, on the 22d Of Septem-
Der last, notice to the army, and to the
inhabitants, recalling TO their minds their
obligations and duties in behalf OF the
cause of duty and mercy TO the suffering,
sick and wounded, whether OF their own
army of that of their enemy.
A very close relationship exists be-
tween the American and Japanese asso-
Citations A delegation OF citizens of
Toxic waited on Miss Clara Barton.
President of the American National Red
Cross, in 1866, and requested of her in
formation and forms as to the organiZa-
ton of and methods employed by the
American committee; and it is most
probable that, should the exigencies of
the present war tax the Japanese associa-
ton beyond its capacity, the American
committee would be- among the first to be
applied to for assistance; and no other
national committee would be more gener-
Gus or promptin its response
The spirit Of the Geneva treaty insists
that Immediately soldier is wounded or
becomes disabled by sickness, he is no
longer a belligerent, but becomes from
Ithat moment neutral, subject for the
unerciful care of those employed in ad-
pniuistering relief under the treaty: hence