The record-union., 1898-05-17
DISPLAYED on amhulances.


plaudits of all peoples, even some semi
barbarous tribes asking TO be included
in the work
Really the idea of Red Cross Socie-
ty originated with Henry Durrant of
Switzerland, who visited the battle
Held of Soferino in 1859 and noted that
with all the army nurses. surgeons and
non-combatants could do, the wounded
were left for days in many cases with
out relief.
In 1862 he published a description of
what he had seen on battlefelds where
ne had been a volunteer nurse, and
urged the formation of societies to give
immediate relief to the wounded
Out of this suggestion the movement
grew that gave US the Red Cross So
clety, by which all hospitals and hos
pital appliances are neutralized in war.
SO much is the Red Cross esteemed
that the Queen of England has insti-
tuted the order of THE Royal Red
Cross" which she confers on any wom-
en- of any nation specially designated
by their country as distinguished in Red
Cross work and maintenance.
In every country the Red Cross is a
distinct society from that in any other
country, but they have a fraternity that
is common. regardless of race or
tongue, and occasionally they meet in
international councils. They have not
confined their work to relief in land bat
ties, but have broadened it to action on
water and have taken in naval warfare
also.
AS experience, organization and
equipment seemed to nominate them as
fitteSt these societies have in times of
great disaster famine, accident, con-
flagratiOn, Oestilence, etc, come to the
front and distributed relief fed the
starving, nursed the injured, sheltered
the homeless, etc. 1t will be recalled
that Miss Barton. the national head Of
the Red Cross in this country, and her
glorious corps of workers were on hand
within few hours after the Johns
town flood: were first in the field at
the earthquake disaster in Charleston;
were working in yellow fever districts
often and by request of the United
States Government took charge mainly
of the work Of feeding and succOring
the unhappy reconcentrados in Cuba,
and kept uD that work there until war
closed the ports of the island. 1t is
notable also that while the Red Cross
of America was laboring to mitigate
the suffering of the unfortunates in
Cuba, the Red Cross of Spain was also
engaged in the same God blessed work.
The international Red Cross agree
ment between all the societies was Sc
cured in 1869. and from that date the
organization extended its offices in
times of peace as we'll as war. The
central body was then erected and per-
manently established at Geneva, where
it has its seat to this day. Under it all
National Red Cross Societies exist, and
One of these is the organization just
completed in San Francisco.
The history of the treaties, conven-
tions and compacts of the nations re-
garding Red Cross work is too long, to
be referred to here more than
to say that it is one of the noblest and
whitest annals OF the worlds record.
1t is the one thing upon which all are
agreed. 1t is the level upon Which all
humanity meets. 1t is the mercy plat
form against which no State dares to-
day TO raise a hand.
The Red Cross in this year has taken
a new step. 1t has fitted out two steam
ers, the first. known as the Solace, is
already at sea. These boats accom-
pany our fleets. They hang upon the
outskirts of battle, and when it is over
they plunge forward with all speed to
remove the wounded to the hospital
ships for treatment. To do this they
have boat ambulances specially fitted to
facilitate the work. They have trained
nurses, skilled surgeons, first-class
cooks to prepare delicate food, supplies
of food and medicines, surgical instru
ments and appliances of all kinds-in
fact each ship is fitted out as COM
pletely as is a good hospital.
All churches of all shadin~s approve
the Red Cross. All armies and navies
hold it sacred. All soldiers and sailors
will fight to defend it's integrity. Gov
ernments never call it to account. but
freely pledge themselves to hold it
safe from harm in war and peace.
At first the United States did not
join in the conferences to formulate
rules to mitigate the horrors of war.
But We came in a little later, and to-
day no nation holds the Red Cross in
greater esteem, or does more to en-
courage it.
We signed the compact with the other
nations in 1882, whereupon the National
Society duly Incorporated and Presi-
dent Garfield appointed a trained army
nurse, Miss Clara Barton, as its head.
a position she has held from that day
to this. and to the work of which she
has devoted her life and best energies.
Through the hands of the American
Red Cross Society tens of millions of
dollars have oassed and not a single
cent has stumbled on the road, nor has
failure to account faithfully for every
nickel ever been recorded. The So
ciety depends wholly upon voluntary
subscription for its SUPPORT. Anyone
can become a member of it, but only
those specially fitted by health,
strength, skill, merciful disposition and
profound love for humanity are chosen
to execute its Offices.
This is the society Sacramento is to
be asked to assist that it may send
nurses. surgeons, supplies. and all else
the work needs, to our soldiers and sail
ors now IN the Philippines and those
still to go.
Elegant miniature portraits in water
colors given away at Boysen's, 31S J
street for short time only
Save money by buying your tea and
= TaA