New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-30

IT ENCOURAGEMENT
Washington. Aug. 29-The following state
ment regarding the Medical Corps OF the Army
and the American National Red Cross was
given out by Sureeon-General Sternberg to-
day:
Owing to the pressure of my Official duties. |
have not heretofore felt justified in taking he
time to make an explanation with reference
to my attitude toward the American National
Red Cross 1t has been repeatedly charged in
the newspapers that am hostile To this orean-
cation and have refused 10 accept its aSsiS ance
in the care of or sick and wounded soldiers.
and that. as a result Of this refusal, there has
been unnecessary suffering
These charges arc without foundation. except
in 50 far as | have objected to the sending Of
female nurses with troops in the field engaged
in active operations. We have Red cross
Hospital Corps in the Army Of enlisted men.
whose duty il is to render first aid to the
wounded upon the field of battle and - care
for tho sick IN our division field hospitals. ana
l have been Of The opinion that female nurses
would he an incumbrance To troops during ac-
tive operations. lint "o soon as serious SckH's IS
developed in our camps and IL became necessary
to treat typhoid fever cases IN our ncld nos
pitfalls gladly accepted the services OF trained
female nurses for the division field hospitals. ana
in our general hospitals We have employed
them from the first
The genera testimony from tho surgeons in
charge Of these hospitals has been that th"ir
services have been Of great value. Very many
Of these trained nurses have been "ntalh"d
through the Kind assistance N' inc h'l ' I'SS
Society for Maintenance Of Trained Nurses.
Auxiliary No g. and I desire 10 express my
high appreciation of the valuable services r"n-
dered to the Medical Department ot IN" Army
by this organization.
My attitude toward relief organizations Is
shown 10y an Endorsement dated May -. upon
letter addressed by the Rev. Henry {. Nc'ook,
Of Philadelphia. to the President and referred
20 me for remark
May !. 1e9. Respectfully returned to the
Adjutant- General ~ the Army.
nla nv. cd he
a relief association appears 10 hav" been we'll
considered. and the object In view VIII con-
mend itself To- every patriotic citizen. l'Ni u
is a question whether the President should give
suecial privileges - any particular otcan,za-
ton. Other prominent individuals I'M d'N"I'h'
parts Of the country may he orgar.zinG ior Inc
sam purpose one such PROPOSITION ma" com"
10 me from Chicago Will" | approve n
general way Of ul sanitation for IN" r'u"' WORN
proposed. it appears 20 N" th1' II WI % ,es
not 70 give. in advance. exclusive pliNli't'S -
any one particular organization. In case ~
need. assistance should ne accrpt"' H''" '"!
organization prepared To give II
This has been my guiding principle through
out-thai relief. when needed. should 3D." If"illp'-
L. accepted without reference - lno
from which II comes The relief anoldei hF
the National Rcd Cross AZ Sihon"y vas pr.mP'
" accepted by the surgeons on n" spot hu' II is
evident that IL was entirely in"H'lud'e /" '''
cnmTitfea Of tho American National Rcd
Cross Association called ou me I'D ny ''h,r ia
Washington some tim" IN adNanr" ~ me i"I'
ing Of our troops IN Sanl.dE'' H"NII'- "'' .''''
OF assistance. | received ih"m mos c"1iV'"F
IT, and advised them to use thor resources IN
n;tinG up q hospital snip. t"ihne th'" wa. -
hCeutfal chin was now being itif4 Ni TOT lh'
use Of the NJ licnl Department but ihd. y Wa
arise which would overtaX our resources. ana
that In such an event a hospital snip property
equipped. having on board a corns OF doctors
and nurses would be a most valuable AUXILIARY.
Furthermore the American National Rcd
Cross Association has had fun authority - SEND
agents and supplies 70 al our amps slH,r 1u,l,
~ needed supplies they must shar" me r'si'i.-..
hilijy with the Medical Department - IN" Army
for such suffering.
The following letter was sent hN m" 70 very
chief surgeon ~ q department or independent
army in the field on juno .. 1898
The Secretary of War has approved ~ m"
following proposition made hy 20" American
National Rcd Cross Association. ana IN" chie'
surgeons 81 army corps and divisions "ll CO.
operate with the authorized agents of ms asS'-
Catlon for the purposes ind!catri
".V.o can put am desired amount ~ hospital
suprlles-ice matted milk condemned milk etc.
into any 81 the volunteer cdrnps 10 i"W
hcurs VIII YOU be kind enough 20 bring this
letter 20 the attention ~ Secretary Alg"r. ana
ask him if there IS any Objection 10 our app'ln'-
ing a Ped Cross representative to report ~ IN"
commanding officer and tn" CHIEF surgeons IN
every camp confer with them as 10 thor IN
mediate needs. and II anything ~ any knh -
wanting open there Rcd Cross station ana
send in the supplies We can do this. not IN a
fev, weeks or few dayg. but In '"v hours
and can furnish any quantity of any desired
luxurv or delicacy for hospital use We h"T'nF
tender our aid and put our organization a. IN"
war Departments service for cooperation IN
this field go A..
.ional Red Cross Relief Committee. venture 10
ouoie from a letter OF August II. received BY
mo from Mr. Cleveland II DODGE. chairman ~
,bo curnlv Committee Mr. Dodge saws
u want again 10 assure you personally. ana
on behalf of our committee. Of our earnest 90
Giro 10 assist YOU IN every possible way ana 10
hank vlu for calling upon Us go frankly.
In n recent letter from Mrs. Winthrop C"wdin.
,ice-preedent Of the Rcd Cross society 'or me
Maintenance Of Trained Nurses. she saws
.,1Ve greatly appreciate your courtesy 10 us.
and feoi most grateful to have been permitted 10
serve YOU IN any VA -
Surgeon General. i G Army
rur vaNEFr'S WEN FAGER To ca HOUF
The auxiliary cruiser Yankee Is SIN anchored