The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-05
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS.

To the Editor: VIII you kindly give
| space in your paper for an account OF the
work OF the American National Red Cross,
50 that its work may be more perfectly
understood when the cali il issued for the
formation OF a branch in Seattle. and 9TH
er cities and towns OF the state.
A confederation OF relief societies in
different countries was organised at an in
rernauonal public conference held at Ge-
nsva. Switzerland. IN lSsa. and treaty
there drawn. and afterwari remodeled and
improved. has been signed by twenty-five
OF the Christian nations OF the world. The
Red Cross-a red cross on q white ground
chosen cut Of compliment TO the Swiss
republics colorS-a white cross on q red
ground-was adopted by the civilized world
as a symbol of that charity which in med
ern warfare follows the army and oi.tas
I'D the wounds which war makes. Each
society IL national and independent. gov
erning itself and making its own laws ac-
cording 10 the genius OF its nationality and
It's needs. In case of war the society can
act in the field Of course. under such reg
ulasions and restrictions as the military
authorities prescribe Nor Is the red cross
a badge only Of these voluntary societies;
IL is also adopted for all hospitals and am
balances by the various armies. ana must
in every case be accompanied by the ma
tionai flag. II will serve in this campaign
isary commission IN our civil war, with this
very material difference, that its pacific
intentions and its benevolent spirit viii %
officially recognized by both comoatants.
An important meeting OF the American
National Red Cross relief committee was
held early in May at the Chamber or COM
merce in New York city. Bishop Potter
presided, and the following appeal Was
Issued:
All AZ Grass
lief committee. acting under the auspices
OF the American National Red. Cross. has
for its object the collection of funds for
providing medical and surgical attendance,
nursing. medical supplies. food clothing
and such necessary assistance as may De
required by the American National Red
Cross upon call OF the United States gov
eminent in order TO unity all endeavors
to that end during the present war. Under
provisions Of the Geneva conference. from
which every National Red Cross Society
derives its authority, the American Ma
tionaI Red Cross is directed TO provide such
relief as may be required by all. without
recognition OF friend or foe. who may suf-
fer from the calamities incidental TO war,
pestilence or famine. The Red Cross here.
and throughout the civiizeA world, by a
wide and varied experience in recent wars.
recognizing by International treaty the ssa-
cred obligations Of heipfuiness for the suf-
fering, wherever found. has so perfected its
organization that it becomes the recognized
and legitimate channel for contributions
from all classes OF individuals and every
variety of auxiliary association
committee was then appointed who had
interviews at Washington with the presi-
dent. the secretaries OF war and or the
navy, and the surgeons general of the
army and navy. In accordance with Mr.
Mckinley's wishes. a meeting was held or
~. he
Cross relief committee and the National
Relief Association. TT /. following gen.
eral plan of national organization was
agreed upon:
F,rst-One society. to be known as the
National Red Cross and Relief Commis-
sion.
Second-State societies to be organized
and known by their state titles.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to be designated
for the purpose to which they are 10 he
appliad-namely, for the work of the Reo
Cross, or the work of the relief committee
Fourth--The American National Red
Cross to have its peculiar fed OF work, AZ
designated by its constitution and by the
international treatieSs the relief cofnms-
sion to have its particular field. as set
forth In the call for relief. Auxiliaries TO
the Red Cross work are rapidly forming
Among these auxiliar.es are the commit
tees frcm the Daughters Of the American
Revolution, the college and university
committees, such as the Columbia Univer-
sty Red Cross auxiliary and postoffice en-
ployes auxiliary.
The following extracts from a letter
of Miss Clara Barton, president Of the
National Red Cross to a friend in Oakland,
Cal, will be !nteresting-Miss Barton spent
some time In Cuba during the past winter
distributing food and clothing as we'll as
hospital supplies:
steamship State of Texas.
"Harbor of Key West, May 13
I'VE ara on shlpboard waiting for the
way to open TO take out tons OF food 10
the people who are starving for it Mean
while We are feeding all We can that
have gotten out to FLORIDA and Key West.
and ali those visiting on the prize ships,
getting our supplies wherever we can. but
always keeping our ship cargo for Cuba
intact. There are twenty lacking one. OF
on our ship. all busy at work every
hour. The doctor is here (referring 20 DR..
Hubhei, the general field agenO DR.. and
Mrs Gardner are with us. We have four
nurses from Or. 1.esser's hospital (the
Red Cross hospital in New York;. Yon
have perhaps noticed the great COMMITTEES
that is forming in New York as the Red
Cross committee 1t is gathering itself
together for the protection OF the national.
II Is grand thought OF theirs and they
would like all the large cities and states
Of the country to gather in the same way.
making themselves in one sense, tributary
10 the national association. They mean 20
gather in the wealthy and powerful OF the
country 10 the Red Cross-Iniliionaires,
bankers, the moneyed mer-and out OF
that may come the needed added strength
and power Of the American National Red
Cross. II Ii should extend over TO you
and any move be made there You will
undeTst and from what | have said what
IL means-ihat L Is not an independent
orga Hiza;i0n rising up to overthrow the
natiaSal, which you have known so long
ard 50 wei and loved 80 much. but that
IL is the big brother that is rising up
to protect II, as II were. Explain it 70
them whenever you get a chance. Tell
them their duties that belong TO them, that
they cannot rise higher than the fountain
nor greater than the head but just az high
and just as great AZ they can be barring
that they will b.. Yours.
CLARA BARTON"
Mr.. George KcnHan cabled to New York
Z