News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1896-02-13
THE RED CROSS.

Origin of this Beneflcent Society in the
Geneva Convention of 1s64---Its Work
and Methods.
Forty governments are now united
by the acceptance of the articles OF
the treaty OF Geneva. This includes
all the nations of Europe, Venezuela,
and four other South American
states, Japan, Persia, and various
other tar-away countries. 1t is 81
years since the treaty was signed, in
Geneva, Switzerland, by the II ma
tions first coming into the alliance.
Nine articles were adopted. These
bind the contracting nations to hold
all hospitals in war neutral, as well
as all surgeons, chaplains, nurses and
attendants. The materials needed
in hospitals shall not be subject to
capture, and all sick and wounded
are to be cared for without regard to
nationality. One article provided
for the flag. Out of courtesy to
Swit zerlaud, the Home of Henri
Durant, to whose humane spirit and
arduous labors this organization
was largely due, the flag of his coun-
try was adopted as the flag of mercy.
The Swiss national flag is a white
Greek cross on red ground. The
badge adopted by the treaty of
Geneva was a rel Greek cross on a
white ground. Hence the name now
so widely known as the Red Cross"
Every nation belonging to this
bond has it's own independent ma
tionaI branch; but all are compacted
together 10 the International society
which has it's headquarters in Gene.
va. These national organizations
all adopt a few fundamental princi-
pies to secure unity of action. The
first is that there shall be in each
country but one central society.
Another is that succor shall be eX-
tended to foe us well as friend, when
needful. Still another is that 'socie-
ties whose countries are at peace
may send relief to bellgerent armies
without being considered to violate
any principle OF neutrality to which
their government may be pledged. !"
Twenty-Five nations belonged to
the Red Cross before this country
consented TO Join it. 1t took II
years of effort on the part of Miss
Barton to convince this government
OF the advantages that such society
might bring in peace as well as war
The advantages of the former have
been seen in pestience, flood, fire and
famine, within the last II years.
When Clara Barton and her staff
have planted the Red Cross standard
in the places ofdesOlarion, the nation
has breathed more freely, and there
has been no lack of money to meet
the needs, though the Red Cross
never sOlicts funds it Onl Y distributes
Among the labOrs of the last few
years have been the relief afforded in
the Florida fever epidemic, the Johns
town food, the Russian famine
! (1S9l 92), and the tidal wave of the
Sea Islands.
Among the European nations the
wars of the last 30 years have called
for great eXertions and large expen-
ditures. During the war of 1866, in
Prussia alone $1,000 600 was ex-
pended by the Red Cross, and in
Germany $3,OO0.O00, During the
France Prusslan war not only Ger
many and France attributed bounti-
fully, but other states of Europe, at
peace at that time, gave literally.
England alone contributed $500
900. In all more than $14, 100000
was expended, and more than one
bundled thousand wounded were
cared for.
The United States, without dissent.
ing voice, now bids Clara Barton un-
iurl her standard in Turkey; but this
time it must be the Red Crescent, not
the Red Cross. When Turkey adopt
ed the treaty, it was with the distinct
understanding that her symbol
should be the crescent, and not the
cross. Bearing that flag, for once
converted into sign of blessing, not
of bale, she wilt go forth to bring
comfort and healing to the stricken
people of Armenia.