The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-04
CLARA BARTON AND THE RED
CROSS.


Washington, December 10, 1895:
Owing to the unanimous and urgent
appeals from the friends of humanity,
representing nearly all of the people of
this country, the American National
Red Cross has decided that it must &C.
cept the sacred trust of endeavoring to
relieve the starving Armenians in Asia
Minor. According to conservative esti-
mates there are 100000 utterly destitute
people in that country who will have to
be assisted six or eight months-until
the next harvest. Fully realizing the
difficulties and dangers to be met, the
Red Cross will start for Turkey as soon
as the necessary fundr are placed at its
disposal or guaranteed to insure success
Funds may be sent to Miss Clara Bar
ton, President and Treasurer of the
American National Red Cross, Wash
ington, D. G. Authorized agents to re
cieve funds and materials will be publish
he'd in few days. The Red Cross also
suggests that goods, grain, and other
material may be sent by chartered
steamer.
The Most Important Work Undertaken.
The final determination of the Am
erican National Red Cross to go to
the relief of the Armenians. though
not wholly unexpected in view of the
numerous appeals for such action
which have come to them from every
direction in the past few weeks, was
not definitely reached until the date
above, when it became apparent that
if effectual aid was to be rendered it
must be commenced at once and no
other benevolent organization in the
world was in position to successful
ly undertake it. The action of the
Society is considered by it's Executive
Committee the most important any
organization has undertaken. Never
before have SO many difficulties been
presented or such extensive measures
been necessary. For the first time
the field of the famous Red Cross
will be transferred to foreign coun
try, far from its main base of supplies
and Astounding with dangers. The
organization will be hampered by an
utter lack of facilities for transporting
food, clothing and other supplies, by
unfamiliarity with the language and
by general state of lawlessness that
is known to exist in that part of Tur-
key.
Clara Barton to go to Turkey.
Notwithstanding these conditions,
Clara Barton, in spite of more than
fifty years service in benevolent work,
has determined to go in person into
Armenia, and control the disburse-
ment of the funds subscribed for Red
Cross relief. The American Board
and the Presbyterian Board of For
eign Missions have taken the initia-
tive in the suggestion that the Red
Cross Society take up the work. This
is at the request of the missionaries
on the field and is endorsed by the
officials of the State Department.
The Interior, the Presbyterian news
paper of this city, pays the following
tribute to Miss Barton:
War, whether under the influence of
the more humane sentiments of this age,
or the barbarous and relentless spirit of
former times, can never be Invested of
have not only been deeds of sublime
bravery, but grand examples of moral
heroism, which have ennobled humani-
ty. The Red Cross movement has risen
over modern battle6elds like merciful
and plying angel. The Crimean war
brought to the attention of the civilized
world the name of Florence Nightingale
and the self denying women associated
with her in her work of mercy. 1t may
be that her name will be UNANIMOUSLY
legible when those Of the Crimean he
roes of the sword have faded out. Dur
ing the Civil war in this country many
were the ministering women who with
sublime devotion to duty we're found on
the red fields of carnage, or in the ex-
temporized hospitals, needless of dan
ger, doing their best to guide the sick |
and wounded back to health, or sooth- |
ing the last moments of those whose |
warfare was ending. Among names
that will be lovingly cherished in Am
erican history that of Miss Clara Barton
will stand high. She is Red Cross
heroine, with grand record. OF late
the eyes of the benevolent have been
turned toward her. At the promptings
of her own kindly heart and because of
numerous requests she has undertaken
to organize a band of faithful associates
whom she will conduct in person to the
districts in Asia Minor where Armeni-
ans by the thousand have been massa-
cred. She is to be the almoner of Am
erican benevolence to the survivors.
who are in circumstances of extreme
restitution. Miss Barton has made a
stirring and forcible public appeal for
to be devoted to an object
40 praiseWorthy, This worthy woman