The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-07-01
Republic Of Switzerland Gave it
to the World.
THE BATTLE OF SOLDERING
Insignia of ORGANIZATIONS elf-Sac-
rifice Of Its Members-Miss
Barton's Amendment

Henri Dunant, native OF the republic
of Switzerland, witnessed the battle OF
Solferino, and was Mortified obs server
OF the unnecessary suffering OF the
wounded from lack of care. Being
greatly impressed by the sight, he pub
lished 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 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 representatives from sixteen
of The great nations of the world, who
then signed compact OF strict nell
trality 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 heraldlcally described
as ION a field gules, cross argent"
and the society adopted II out OF com
pliment to its birthplace. only revers-
ing the colors. Today the insignia of
the International Committee Is the
red cross on white field, and Is the
only military hospital flag in the civ
ilized world which protects all persons
from molestation who work under II
or rightfully wear the emblem when
performing their services.
NJ. Gustav Moyner, 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
mt Geneva. Sixty-two nations have
signed the compact. In 1882 Miss
Clara Barton, who had already dis
unguished herself by her services as
nurse during the civil war. was de-
legated by the President of the United
States to represent her country. at a
congress of the Red Cross Committee,
and she was made a member Of the In
ternational Board of Managers when
the United States Government signed
the international treaty. II was at
Miss Barton's suggestion that line Of
work was adopted by the Information
al Committee. so that each nation
might pursue an occupation in time of
peace that would qualify 1t 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
stimulants. 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 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
lhe past seventeen years the American
ced Cross has given aid to sufferers
9. fifteen disasters or famines. the
Slssians. Armenians and Cubans be-
ste those who have received aid out
"A :. OF our own countrymen.
!. what shall be said OF the I'M
u ID hssional women who. without
II Is mig or skill, offer themselves as
, the tants to the Red Cross? 1t would
,ue-.n folly to accept their services, and
Il the officers of the society base their
opinion on the experience gained in
he Franco-Prussian war. when the
illnesses of Prussia and women of
" degree offered their services to the
I Cross, and proved of inestmable
stance.
q, is difficult to forecast what the
49, OF an assistant may be, but we
No octure one OF the scenes that may
Ike place. A great battle has
no }ght: the Red Cross" Is called
pebrers begin to carry in the
n w The country is devastated
,ev ,uins show where the homes
This bitants once stood: there Is
as there are no provisions;
MAX famish for sip of wat
NJ AT 'iu po'soH tutUl III served
ted streams about them
and nurses are bending
ded, rendering profess
au " unprofessional work
~, and calls to her aid
n SAraining and looks
no and wants of an
ne sSold. While the
lie ttte been providing
intondages. lint, etc.
pned. loading small
png ON water. tea. cof-
IDLY follows the
u 'sheet thrown
head tree makes a
t. II. food is pre-
post follows the
the me wounded,
lhls pc aid to the
ID be that the
Cful as
djour,n no.
am.