The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-06-29
Republic Of Switzerland Gave it
to the World.
THE BATTLE OF SOLDERING
Insignia Of Organization-Se Sac
rifiCe of Its MEMBERSHIPS
BartOn's Amendment.

1t is nearly forty years since NJ.
Henri Dunant, a native Of the republic
of Switzerland, witnessed the battle of
SoIferino, and was a Mortified observer
of the unnecessary suffering of the
wounded from lack of care. Being
greatly impressed by the sight, he pub
ished a little book called Souvenir
de Solferino," and pointed out the
urgent necessity of forming a corps of
surgeons and nurses who could work
| in the cause of humanity regardless
of nationality, and who might be pro-
tected by a flag of neutrality, and be
permitted to serve on the field of bat
tie and aid the wounded. This little
volume appealed to all who read it,
and the outcome was a convention held
at Geneva, Switzerland, in August,
1864, by representative from sixteen
of the great nations of the world, who
then signed a compact Of strict neu-
traIity that insured under certain
specified regulations, a complete pro-
lection to the members of the asso-
citation when caring for the wounded
on the field of battle The flag of
Switzerland is heraldically described
as "On a field gules, a cross argent"
and the society adopted it out of com
pliment to it's birthplace, only revers-
ing the cOlOrs. Today the insignia of
the International Committee is the
red cross on a white field and is the
only military hosg tai flag in the civ
ilized world which protects all persons
from mOlestaticn who work under it
or rightfully wear the emblem when
performing tb ii services.
M. Gustav Moy nier, President of the
Society of Public Utility, was elected
and still remains President of the IN
ternatiOnal Committee of the Red
Cross, the headquarters of which are
at Geneva. Sixty-two nations have
signed the compact. In 1882 Miss
Clara Barton, who had already dis
tinguished herself by her services as
a nurse during the civil war, was de-
legated by the President of the United
States to represent her country, a a
congress of the Red Cross Committee,
and she was made a member of the In
ternatiOnaI Board of Managers when
the United States Government signed
the international treaty. 1t was at
Miss BartOn's suggestion that a line of
work was adopted by the Internation- |
al Committee, so that each nation |
might pursue an occupation in time of |
peace that would qualify it to be of |
service in an emergency, thereby keep |
ing its National Red Cross Association |
in an active state of organization 1t |
was determined that the study of dis |
eases, methods of treatment, more par |
ticularly without the use of alcoholic |
and the education of doc !
tors and nurses should be pursued. In |
the formation of the constitution of |
the American National Red Cross AS |
ISOLATION a still wider range of activ- |
tiles was adopted. 1t was hoped that |
we should have no wars but calam- |
tiles and disasters were always to be |
apprehended, and the organization de- |
termined TO provide for such emer- |
gencies. Other nations. seeing the use
fulness of what has been called the |
American amendment" are following |
our example and adding the amend |
ment to their constitutions. During |
the past seventeen years the American |
Red Cross has given aid to sufferers |
in fifteen disasters or famines. the !
Russians, Armenians and Cubans be- |
|
side Of our own cOuntTymen.
But what shall be said of the un- |
professional women who, without !
training or skill, offer themselves as |
assistants TO the Red Cross? 1t would |
seem folly to accept their services, and |
vet the officers Of the society base their |
opinion on the experience gained in |
the FTancO-Prussian war, when the |
princesses Of Prussia and women of |
all degree offered their services to the |
Red Cross, and proved of inesCimabIe |
assistance.
It is difficult to forecast what the !
duties of an assistant may be, but we !
may picture one Of the scenes that may |
well take place. A great battle has |
been fought; the RED Cross" is called /
for: bearers begin to carry in the !
The country is devastated, |
smoking ruins show where the homes |
Of the inhabitants once stood; there is I
no shelter, there are no provisions; |
the wounded famish for a sip OF wat |
7r. which would poison them if served !
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