New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-17
TUE RED cross ~ JJPIN

THE RED cross ~ JAPAN.
The humanitarian impulse Is strong III 'ne
United States. The sympafhi"s OF the people
90 out to The whole world Wherever there ~
war or pcSiilcnce American charity Is r'iu! ~
seek an outlet for It's energies. Just now. wien
Japan and China are fighting. 1t Is natural Tor
sympathetic persons 10 want To ala somewhat
in relieving the inevitable suffering 'lii' goes
with IN army. no matter how humane may pe
ifs disposition. 1t is equally natural that Wheh
These people see no organization Appearing Ior
funds TO support hospitals In CHINA ana japan
They should think IT strange and wonder why
fine Red Cross of tn" United States is taking
no Dar i'm the relief work.
The reason for this abstinence Is not lack OF
ccncrous interest in the welfare Of the Oriental
boIligcronts. but the treaty regulations when
make J,pan the administrator Of her own char
itics The Red Cross work is founded on an III
tcrnational agreement II originated in the mhu
If NJ Henri Dunant This enlightened SWISS
was horrorstrckcn by the needless SUFFERING
which hc observed following the battle OF Sol
ferino From his writings sprang the interna-
tional conference Of October. lSI'. al T'neVa
which was followed by the Geneva Conventioh
or Red Cross Treaty. of 1864. Sixteen NATIONS
first entered into the agreement. and the NUMBER
has since been increased 10 forty. The lnlteh
States Joined the association In 1SS2. The orig
inal treaty limited the functions OF the Red
Cross TO relief work in time OF war. As early
rs 1860 il was proposed 10 broaden the scope
Of its usefulness. but the suggestion met with
no favor The American Committee however,
from it's formation In 1881 earnestly advocated
extension and owing 10 its efforts the "Amcri-
can Amendment" WAS adopted. which provided
for MD To sufferers frcm fire. flood pcstilencc,
famine or other caamtics of such extent ~ To
assume a National character The United States
has had no wars stree the Red Cross was
founded but the committee in this country,
thanks 10 the new provision. has done great
good in leSScnine suffering from casualties OF
peace.
Japan gave its adhesion 10 tn" Geneva 'Oil-
vcniion in 1856. and three years later the En-
pcror became president of the Japanese Red
Cross Association. The work in that country
was organized after conference with The Ameri-
con Committee and The methods resemble those
In use In the United States. Japan fully pro
fccis The Red Cross emblem. and how fully II
has entered into the spirit ~ the association Is
shown hy the proclamation 10 the Japancs"
Army made on September 80 by Count lwao.
the Minister IL War After stating that fight
lng must b" confined 10 The military and naval
forces actually engaged and that there II no "c'
cl,inn for cnmiy between individuals because
their countries are ~ war. he defines the func.
uon~ II The Red cross and says.
china not having ioneI any such convention. II u
r.-l. that her sol Hers ignorant % these enlight-
/ .ned principles may subjec, diseased or WOUNDED
japanese 10 mercllc~s treatment Against such con-
| ,ingcnclcs the japanese troops must be on their
guard Igui az 10. tim" they must never forget
that however cruel and ylnd!ctve the zoe may show
himself he must nevertheless be treated In accord
soce with the acknowledged rules Of civilization;
his iaabloi succored. his captured kindly and con-
slI,ratey treated It i not alone to those disabled
/ bv wounds Of sickness that m"rciful and gentle
/ treatment should b. extended Similar treatment IL
also due 10 those who oner 70 resistance 10 our
| arms Even the body % Il dead enemy should BE-
| treated with respect.
| We cannot too much admire the course pursued by
| a certain Western country which. IN handing over
an enemy general complied with all III" Rites and
ceremonies suitable - the rank ~ the captive Jap
aue.. soldiers should always bear In mind the gra-
/ clous brncyolencr o. their august sovereign and
should not be- more anxious to display courage than
! charity They have now an opportunity to AFFORD
/ practical proof ~ th- value they attach 90 these
principles
Japan seems amply able 10 carry on her own
Red Cross work The Geneva Treaty prov id"S
| that ia every country entering III" association
! there. shall be- committee ami only one. In
the event ~ war III committees of bcllgercnt
nations ar, To furnish relief To their respective
armies IN proportion To their resources and. II
need hr they are 10 solicit the assistance of
committees Of neutral nations. The interchange
Of communication between the National Com
+ miitrrs is made through the "tOmltc lnrrnl
, iional" ~ the Swiss organization is called. tn,
! American Red Cross Is ready Ia give any aid
d required and would be among the first Ia b,
| applied To- for assistance II announces that II
is prepared 10 be- both prompt and generous
But while Japan is able 10 relieve its own army
the Western World has no reason or right tC
/ interfere 50 far she has shown recognition
| ~ the ALLEGATIONS Of charity which would dc
| credit Ia our country ana suggests III,
| uursiion whether or not in time Of war Amrri
can discipline and kindlincSs would make
Japan's place In the scale Of civilization seen
low.
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