The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-27
Red Co.'S, nna seansh Batsarity.

Press dispatches that were received
during the attack on Santiago. to the
effect that spanish troops cred upon
wounded Americans while they were be-
ing conveyed to hospitals on Red Cross
filters, are confirmed by a personal LETT
ter written by Mrs. John Addison Por-
ter, wife Of the Presidents private Sec
rotary, who Is with Miss Clara Barton
in the relief work tn Cuba. As pub
llshed in yesterdays dispatches, Mrs.
Porter cites instances Of this character,
as well as other instances Of barbarity.
In contrast with these exhibitions of
sayagery on the part OF the spaniards,
Is the relief work which Is being con-
Quoted by the American Red Cross So
ciety among the Spanish wounded. and
the care that is being taken Of them by
the American authorities, which Mrs.
Porter describes. She also declares that
these Spanish wounded express grad-
tude that they are given the same at
tention that is being given to the Amer
lean wounded.
The statement in Mrs. Porter's letter
which will cause the greatest surprise
and horror, in connection with the bar
barous attacks on our wounded by the
Spanish sharp-shOoters, or, more prop
erly speaking. guerillas, is to the effect
that commissions authorizing this das-
tardly and cowardly work were found
upon the bodies of some of the guerlllas
after they we're killed IN the fighting.
The cruel work was not alone confined
to firing on the wounded, but upon the
surgeons attending them.
These facts, coming direct from the
field of Red Cross operations. and from
one Of the heroic women who have
risked 80 much to engage in the mission
OF mercy, and not from Sensational
news sources, indicate that the guerIl-
las guilty of the lnhuman conduct re-
fered to were not acting on their own
notion or responsibility, but were ac-
tuaily commissioned for the miserable
business by otfcers in authorlty-oficers
Of the Spanish government, which is
continually boastlng before the world Of
its alleged honor! It IS indeed mag
nanimous Nation that repays such an
enemy by a humane treatment OF KS
wounded and generous care for its
soldiers that have become prisoners Of
war.
In the conduct Of this war, on every
hand and in every movement, the Unit
ed states Is consistently and honorably
carrying out its declaration that Il Is
prosecuting a war in the interest Of hui
manlty and civilization. This fact IS
being impressed upon the people of other
nations, quite as strongly as the splendid
deeds of courage and the efficiency Of
the army and navy are winning the adj
mlration of the naval and military nu-
thoriues Of other governments.
Hereafter the American Gag, whsr-
ever It shall be greeted in any part of
the civilized world. vii be hailed, not
only as the emblem OF great repub-
lie, strong in it's own resources, but as
the standard Of brave. generous Ma
ton, which, though Glow to war, but be-
ing driven to It by the instincts of hu-
manity. does not forget the obligations
1t has assumed in It's prosecution. And
beside that standard will float the nag
of the American branch of the Red
Gross, which has responded to Spanish
barbarIty, and violations Of internal
tlonaI agreements, and dIsreSpect for
what ils emblem signifies, with noble
apeas Of charity.