New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-28
THE RED CROSS IN ARMENIA.
MISS BARTON MAKES SOME CORREC
TIONS.
THE SOCIETY MAKES NO APPEALS FOR AID-Ho"
RELIEF IS DIsTRIBUTED-THE ATTITUDE

OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The last Oriental mail brings me your issue OF
April 81 containing article relating 10 oui ie
work in the Armenian provinces ana the ',
statement of the officers Of the American Nauola
Red Cross In regard to the subjects or appears ~.
contributions in money for the relief being carreu
on there I feel under great obligation Doth u my
officers for having made this explanation anu "
YOU for giving 1t place in your columns. ~ ms
~ vo,r readers a moments reflection VIII De SUM
cIent TO recall to them the fact that In all the iou
Tan years NJ the existence Of the Red Cross IN
Anerca and almost a score of fields where II mas
administered relief, they have never peeh app.a,eN
TO by it for contributions. It's first ana STRUNG p'-
ciple Is never ask for help. It's method 10 " 81
instantly with It's funds to field OF repol'eu
disaster. simply giving notice Of the fact ,hat
ooas. investigate and on learning the SITUATION
faithfully report the same to the people throuen
all public channels and private sources as We"
This information. which can be Thoroughly rene'
upon has always been held sufficient. IL taxes ING
ground that the American people, intelligent hu-
r,a,a and liberal require only 70 be assured OF
real need in their midst and shown an avenue ny
which Il can be reached with renei 10 Cali LYNN
them the proper action; they are as hun'A'e %
ourselves and need no appeal Tor generosity iio'"
us II has been only on few fields OF unusual con-
,In.rce that the quick voluntary aid OF the people
has M, been quite sufficient. and Invariably when
,he relief contributed has been adequate TOT 'he
needs we give general notice 10 the county a'''
withdraw from the field
But this was a different case. Again, moment
rejection Will bring the fact to the mind OF all
r,ad.rs ~ four months ago that the Red Cross as
an organization did not assume the general reHei
OF this field II was not asked TO 90 this' ini'
work was already in the hands OF the great ms
sionary bodies scattered all through Anatola lAr-
menla) herocally holding out against DANGER anu
death with the great tributaries OF England pouring
T., ,nor them through the Duke OF Westminster
committees: and America, through It's reHel CUM
mittees was doing the same thing. OWING 10 INC
disturbed and dangerous conoton Oh the COUNTY
10 be relieved II was found diffcuIt 10 distribute
the funds already contributed; and II was sus
gested by the Christian bodies In Constahtinopie
that the American Red Cross be urged TO distribute
Americas contributions as being BODY OF no socia
or denom.national Affiliations, and accustomed u
Tho work OF field relief But the laws were slrh-
gent and upon trial 1t found that even the Ked
cross as an organization would not be permitted oy
,ha Turkish Powers; neither would our home COM
mittees YIELD and. acting between the TWO III uen
erence 10 the great tax on the sympaUeS u oul
er,,rs neople II was decided by the organization
that It's president with the general HELD agent its
financial secretary and an oriental lingust' seek
admission as individuals method wnch mao pee"
proposed by the Turkish Government 10 our He 80
tIon II Is true that the principles OF the Red cross
were brought and have been strictly adherea "
and are recognized here; our customary methous Vi
field relief have been followed anu arc o'''eAe Wv
usual results
m, nv acme misunderstanding, the vigorous ap-
r.sis y, the committees In America have been MADE
70 appear as coming from the Red cross Ihls IN
preston is so entirely erroneous. SO suoNetS'e VI
It's principles, at variance with All "e'"ou' "
the past and so harmful for It's efforts In the iu'ure
that It's officers In America have felt themselves a'
length constrained to make the correction "hich
thev have done through the courtesy OF your COL
umns and which l earnestly indorse only reeree''ns
the misunderstanding which has made II necessary
and simply begging the American pubic 10 Dear ~
mind that It has never been in any way appeaieu
10 for Aid by It's National Red Cross. and that whie
us nresent principles and administration remain IN
tact II probaby never will be. 1t will continue 10
state conditions plainly. but claims no monopoly Oh
charity.
Rut on this field 1t scarcely finds it necessary to
make statements. They have been poured upon our
peopls by scores of graphic. earnest and truthful
mems for months They hardly could be worse-tWo
millions OF people plunged IN the deepes' 81 desooeJ
homeless rIendisnss Geee smlshns horred
slck HOPELESS some seeking self-destructlon'
waiting for the death that s er How is n being
met? Bravely herocally by our devoted mission
sy b a as from the Black to the Meda
nean-and our missionary women es for Ink OF gold
in 0 which to write Of them. Their part in these
terrible tragedies VII meyer be Srtten IS known
and viii be accounted unto them II america mao 40
done nothing more, she Is yet an hohoreu ~
have produced these women. All these are STRIVING
nv The aid of generous gifts OF America ana Eng
land TO ward off starvation 80 far as possip'e ny
systematic and limited rations: ~ ,.,,o
The foreign Ambassadors and consuls are all dong
double duty Our American officials nave iron
the first taken courageous ana oenencemt s'as IT,
honorIng our nation and serving humanity. oit
PhilIp Currie of Great Britain, has been a tower OF
trangth FOR Justice and mercy. For ourselves and
the part have taken were II not Tor tne m'e u.s.
anxiety OF our people to hear and TO know an tna
pertains to this distressed country, MonI nnw 40
remain silent. The ability 10 accomplish oniy 50
smau n nronortlon of what Is needed dscourages
Still trust 1t has not all been quite In vain;-
We arrived In Constantinople on FEBRUARY 10, Ess
wouid have been chosen the weather certainly NOT,
naturally some preliminaries TO be arranged, sonie
acouaintances to be made. some concessions 70 pe
gained II possible, some privileges 10 De ASKER lo
and not the most concillatory tone or people anu
press at our back at that moment to help US on IN
these little arrangements. Still, hve days iater OF
February 20, we began purchasing ,,a'1 on March
10 the interior by ship and caravan. On Msr ~
we made first shipment since ,hat tine ars
placed four expeditions In the feid Two Win esia d
vans OF materials for distribution among towis anu
smitten cities OF Marash Zeitoun ana Arapkir where
tvphus nd dysentery epidemic Other parties are
among the 300 villages and towns OF the province OF
Harpoot providing the destitute farmers ana me
chancs with tools seed work-cattle and Jumper tor
shelter In an effort at permanent reliet, thereby get
ting the people on their feet again ...,
naced In our by the Government. but our people
are requested by It to report where dlncultes are
found escorts for their safe conduct nave peen
promptly ordered when asked for mere, ana IN our
nmedcaI relief valuable appliances are generously
loaned by the authorities communication py ieuer
is dfteen days kilograms In Turkish and Araoc are
men have assumed but with the best there is In them
they are performing 1t faithfully ,.,roN
Constantinople May IA. 1896. CLARA BARTON.