The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-30
STERNBERG AND
THE RED CROSS.
He Denies That He is Hostile to the
Society or Refused to Help 1t.
THEIR SERVICES0F GREAT VALUE
His Guiding Principle Has Been That
Relief When Needed Should be Ac-
cepted at Once. Regardless of
Its Source kindiiest Feelings

WASHINGTON. Aug. 3-Surseon-Gen-
eral Sternberg gave out statement to-
day. denying the charge that he is hostile
20 the Red Cross Society, and that ne nan
refused 10 accept It's assistance IN tne
care Of sick and wounded soldiers. lie
says he only objected 20 the sending on
female nurses with troops in the heio
engaged in active operations, as he was
of opinion that such nurses would be an
incumbrance 90 troops during such times.
General Sternborg further says:
ACCEPTED GLADLY.
so soon as serious sickness developed
I'm our camps. and 10 became necessary
10 treat typhoid fever cases In our heid
hospitals. ] gladly accepted the services
OF trained female nurses of the division
field hospitals. and in our general hos
pitfalls we have employed them from the
first The general testimony from the
surgeon In charge Of these hospitals has
been that their services have been or
great value. Very many OF these trained
nurses have been obtaind through the
kind assistance of the Red Cross Society
for Maintenance 0f Trained Nurses, Aux
nlary No. g. and 1 desire 10 express my
high appreciation OF the valuable SER
vices rendered 20 the medical department.
OF the army by this organization.
HIS ATTITUDE.
MY attitude toward relief organiza-
lions is shown boy an enforcement dated
May 5th upon letter addressed by Rev
Henry O.. AcC00k. of Philadelphia. 70 the
President. and referred 90 me for re-
marks. May .. 1saS. Respectfully re-
turned 10 the Adiutant-General OF the
Army. The plan proposed for the or
ganization of a relief association appears
10 have been well considered and the
object In view Will commend itself 20
every patriotic citizen. but it IS ques-
ton whether the President should give
special privileges 10 any particular organ
izati0n. Other prominent individuals in
different parts Of the country may be or
ganizing for tho same purpose. one such
proposition has come 10 me from Chicago.
While I approve I'm n general way or or
carnations for the relief work proposed,
e. appears 10 me that 10 will be best not
10 give in advance. exclusive privileges
10 any one particular organization. In
case OF need assistance should be ac-
cepted from any organization prepared
to give it,
HIS GUIDING PRINCIPLE
This has been my guiding principal
throughout. that relief when needed
should be promptly accepted without ref
/ crence 10 the source whence H. comes.
! The relief afforded by the National Red
| Cross at Siboney was promptly accepted
| by surgeons on the spot. but 10 is evident
that 70 was entirely inadequate 20 meet
the emergency.
"a committee Of the American National
/ Red Cross Association called upon me in
my office in Washington some time I'm
| advance Of the landing of our troops In
| Santiago. making an offer of assistance.
I received them most courteously, and
advised them 10 use their resources In
fitting up a hospital ship. Furthermore
| the American National Red Cross Assoc
| citation has had fun authority 10 send
| agents md supplies to all our camps since
| June o. 1898. and If there has been suffer
ing for want Of needed supplies. they
! must share the responsibility with the
| medical department OF the army for such
/ suGerngs."
! General Stornebrg concludes his state
ment by quoting from "a number OF let
/ ters written by him, showing his kindly
| feeling for the Red Cross.