The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-14
THE RED CROSS TO AIO INoIA.

The American National Red Cross now
In course of reorganization under the
new powers conferred by the last con-
gress. has taken up as its first active
work the relief of suffering In the fam
Inc districts of india Although the work
of reorganization is barely begun. yet
Miss Clara Barton, president OF the Red
Cross. believes that famine relief should
be undertaken at once, not only because
the need of relief grows more urgent as
time passes, but also because this is the
kind of work that congress and the presi-
dent have committed to the hands of the
Red Cross
To avoid delays and TO prevent compli-
cations with the reorganization work,
which will be carried on at National
headquarters at Washington, Miss Barton
has placed the India famine work I'm the
hands of committee with headquarters
I'm the Presbyterian building, 1856 Fifth
avenue, New York City.
The committee has already received a
large number Of volunteer offers from
persons desiring to aid in the Red Cross
work I'm India. The offers came from ply
sicians. trained nurses and persons who
had already seen service i'm India.
The committee has selected as its depos-
itory of funds the North American Trust
Company. 135 Broadway. New York city.
to which all contributions should be sent
direct. Checks should be drawn TO the
order Of the North American Trust Com
pany and marked "for the Red Cross In
dia Famine Fund" 1t is hoped that funds
will be forthcoming Immediately. as the
suffering I'm India is still widespread and
acute.
BY act of the last congress the Amer
lean National Red Cross was designated
as permanent agency for the relief OF
suffering by war. famine pestilence,
food, fire and all other calsmities of
sufficient magnitude 10 be of national i'm
portance. The organiza ton acts under the
Geneva treaty, the provisions for which
were made In international convention at
Geneva, Switzerland. on August %. 1854.
and since signed by nearly all civilized
nations. The United States gave it's adhe-
sion by act of congress on March l. 1882.
This was ratified by the congress of
Berne, on June O. 1882. 1t was proclaimed
by President Arthur on July %. 1882.
Under its new powers conferred by con-
gress, the American National Red Cross
has full protection for it's insignia. I'm
authorized persons or societies using the
name or the emblem of the Red Cross
for the purpose OF procuring money are
liable to punishment under the law.
In It's new form the Red Cross will es-
taDilSn permanent duNiiihrles III oil paris
of the United States, with branches I'm
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines. IL
will be ready at a moments notice to
send trained and experienced relief
agents to any part of the world where
the relief of suffering may be needed. IL
will be ready also to receive and for
ward money and supplies In cases where
trustworthy agents, such as missionaries
and consuls, are on the ground I'm suffi-
cient force to undertake relief admins
tration.
1t Is believed that with the Red Cross
always at hand as permanent official
agency for emergency relief, religious or
eanizations and voluntary committees OF
citizens will be spared much OF the labor
that has fallen upon them In recent years.
That this centralization of relief work
will he welcomed by the public at large
there is abundant reason to believe.
The committee having in charge The
Red Cross India Famine Fund invites the
cooperation of all lovers OF humanity In
this work A special invitation Is given to
nersons who were members OF the old
Red Cross auxiliaries during the Spanish
American War.