The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-11
A CONVEYANCE OF MERCY.
England is Building "A Hospital Ship,
and Russia and Germany Also.

| and Russia and Germany Also.
Among the many changes in naval
warfare that have come into existence
as result of the late war with Spain
tnero is none that viii have a greater
power for good than the institution Of
the system of hospital ships by the Tn
tied States government. For years
| surgeons whose duties have compelled
! Them TO witness the horrors of war have
| dreamed OF some such invention and the
naval officials of many countries have
| discussed the matter thoroughly. I'm
each instance it has been the general
opinion that while such plans might be
carried out it was feared that the
scheme would not prove "a practical one
and 80 has remained for the United
Safes to show that hospital ships could
be constructed and used with the great
est success.
The experiment was naturally watched
with great interest by those who had re-
fused 90 sanction The scheme. and 10 IS
pleasant 90 relate that several govern
ments are SO far persuaded Of their err
ror that they have taken steps 90 pro-
vide just such ships for their own ma
Nics. A hospital ship is already being
constructed by England and plans are
being drawn To- be submitted TO the
naval authorities Of both Russia and
Germany. 500 that there is every reason
90 believe that before many years
have passed c0nycyances of mercy VIII
accompany each fleet of every country.
There are few things that could Doe
conceived that would do more 90 lessen
the horror Of war than This single inuO-
walton. During the past few years the
destructive po1tcr OF ships Of war has
constantly increased and This has neces-
STATED complete change m the inter-
mai ARRANGEMENT of the vessels. ft was
moi long ago that such conditions did
MOT exist. n the old battleships the
wounded could Doe treated without much
trouble but when tine large connecting
apartments gave place 10 the many
small compartments made by the clos
futr of watcr-ffebt doors and the screw
iuu down of matches il became next 10
ir,,,o-sii,io ia roach the Wounded ia say
nothing off givfne them ANYTHING like
proper treatment
During the old DAYS the men could be
brought To the surgeons in the hospital
room bpt at presant the most that the
surceon can do is in move from one MARI
~ tbs shin ~ Tho other As "a resuit
he ,ul, care tbst can he given the
tyouraed g. o. eorf Of enerocrcv treat
menr limited In The applic zion of tom
r.rary dressings and fine checking of
bor,orrh.0as aud such condffior- drr-
in,, d, f.,ro o,,,,,,er,e,t ,,.o,,ld cortafri,
--ro,,l,, t,.r,,.' d. [stb r.I.
~. 49, ., ,,.bi.b ~ sb,,s min
,e nut u.u bo j., acti,o as tra1snorts
m ,,Ir,, he sicl, and Wounded IRON, the
gel9 az action 10 "a friendly shore Dur
ing the last war the horrors of the trans |
mort Seneca emphasized the need of sucn |
essels a. me solace and the Relief. Tor !
such sufferings as the brave soldiers were /
compelled 10 bear during that terrible |
VOYAGE from Cuba 10 New York are I'M |
lvoidabe under the old condition OF ]
things.
NOW however an such horrors may /
be- avoided and the soldiers who are
brought from the Philippines on the So
ace Will be just as comfortable as they !
WOULD be in any well regulated hospital
)n land. They will have comfortable
beds, so arranged as TO cause the least
strain upon the injured part proper food
especially prepared in view of their con-
iitiOn. good medical attendance and the
most careful nursing. Under such con.
litiOns injuries are rapidly overcome
md the sick who are TO return from
he Islands in the Pacific Will probably
ave almost entirely recovered before
hey catch their first glimpse of the
United States When We compare such
result with the awful havoc that was
,aused By the Seneca and similar trans