The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-17

New York. Feb. ia Tribune spec
ial from Washington says:
! Whether Miss Clara Barton goes to
pends neither on Spain or Cuba. but on
the American people. But there should
be no possible misunderstanding as to
where or on whom the responsibility
rests. Miss Barton, speaking of this
yesterday said:
When returned from Armenia last
autumn, and before could get out my
report on relief work there or hardly
cross the threshold of home again,
the question of going to Cuba was pre-
sented- There was nothing direct
about it, but altogether indefinite and
speculative in communications to me
and articles published in the news
papers throughout the country They
were full of spirit and language OF
criticism because Red Cross workers
went to Armenia, far-Off land, but
did not help suffering humanity nearer
home by going to Cuba These things
went on more or less for weeks, even
months Sympathy for Cuba was
widespread. But in all this time not
one dollar was offered. directly or in
directly, to the Red Cross for the re-
lief of the Cuban people. Not a dollar
thus far has. been contributed. and no
definite offer for help, directly or in
directly. has been received by the Red
Cross for Cuba. And it is well known
that the Red Cross at all times must
depend wholly on contributions and
that even if we wished to do so, a law
of the Red Cross association prohibits
soliciting or asking aid in any form.
IS ALWAYS READY.
"The Red Cross always holds itself
in readiness and 1 have done what
l could and what would have to -be
done under any circumstances. People
who are criticising and demanding
that the Red Cross should go to Cuba
apparently lost sight of the very i'm
portant fact that the Red Cross cOulI
no more go to Cuba without the con-
sent of the Spanish government than
1t could have gone TO Armenia with
out the consent of the Turkish gov
ernment.
THE services of the Red Cross were
first offered to Spain. just as they were
offered to Turkey, but declined by each
government owing to some Information
al question / then made the offer TO
Spain that was accepted by Turkey
the offer of the individual service of
myself and assistants, provided the
American people desired to place in
our hands their contributions for the
relief of the suffering and destitute
Cubans. This offer Spain has accept
ed. OF course 1 worked through the
Spanish legation and the reply of the
government at Madrid sent to me by
the minister of Spain, Mr. Dupuy de
LONE, has already been published.
ON RELIGIOUS LINES.
"The Red Cross, as you know, works
on religious lines, knowing neither
friend nor foe, but only suffering hu-
manity. Now the Spanish government
cares for it's own sick and wounded
in Cuba, however, for
there are no large hospitals there-bUt
takes them back to hospitals in Spain.
having pressed into service a number
Of merchant vessels for the transporta-
ton of the Spanish sick and wounded.
This leaves practically but one side in
Cuba for Red Cross relief. and that,
Of course, is the insurgent or Cuban
side. In view of this fact, and know
ing well that American sympathy and
aid would be on this side, the action
Of the Spanish government in the free
and legal acceptance of the Red Cross
relief for Cuba is clearly one of the
broadeSt humanity"