Evening star., 1902-09-01
MISS BARToN's DENIAL.
Indignant at Absurd and Sensational
Stories

A dispatch from Meriden, Conn, yester-
day says: The following statement was
made today by Clara Barton, president of
the National Red Cross, who is visiting
here:
There is, perhaps, no more hopeless un-
dertaking than that of attempting to set
aside a sensational report, once circulated
ana accepted by the public, and replacing
1t by a plain, simple statement of calm
facts. with nothing beyond their truthful
ness to commend them; but in the interest
OF truth, of correct information in regard
TO the customs of other customs and peo-
pies, and the better appearance of our own,
such an attempt seems called for.
Since my return from the information
conference of st. Petersburg, scarcely three
weeks ago, have seen several hundreds of
newspaper articles concerning myself-all
kindly intended, it Is true, but so wanting
In facts SO sensational and absurd as to be
ridiculous. l need not repeat them. Those
who have seen them will know; If any have
not. they have been mercifully spared
me Facts Were that the delegates OF
some flfty nations met at st. Petersburg by
invitation of the Russian Red Cross and
the sanction of the Russian government A
hundred or more delegates were present
and were royalty received by the emperor
ana. empress and other royal personages at
their respective palaces. The greatest cour-
tesy and hospitality were shown to all alike
Every delegate was personally presented,
received and welcomed in the same genial,
open, friendly manner as a like delegation
would be received by our manly and cor
dial President at his home. Each delegate
was addressed in his own or in some lam
guage familiar to him, and was encouraged
TO speak on subjects of general interest.
IF / must refer to that silly, sickening
story of hand kissing. let me say that /
have. In the last thirty years. visited and
at times resided in most of the countries Of
EurOD4. oP ho
coming conversant with the customs of
most of the prominent countries of the
world. In none of these have ever found
the custom of lady kissing a gentleman
upon presentation, or any other way, and
do not believe it exists in any civilized
country in the world.
"A gentleman may kiss lady's hand at
Introduction, or in friendly greeting, and
one lady, If permitted, may kiss the hand
of another lady her superior In rank or no.
sition, but this is the extent, so far as I
mend In our public statements in future. as
respectable Americans that we confine our
selves to these limits. If rightly remem-
ber, the subject Of ladies kissing gentlemen
In public has occupied a large space in
journalism within the last few years.
HOW the nonsensical report regarding
myself upon introduction to the car or
emperor came into circulation or existence
l have not the slightest knowledge as
have seen no reporter since my return
home, and l have made no statement to
any person ellner Dy Word or pen, and yet
I am represented through our entire press
as having absolutely said these things
and made the Czar Of Russia Responsible
for custom as foreign to and as unlike
him as 1t would be to President Roosevelt
naturally regret the position in which
1t places me in foreign countries if the re-
ports reach them, as all must know that
they are false: but how are they to know
that the falsehoods were not miner This
plain. simple denial Is all that I can do,
and I do this without reproach or COM
plaint Of any person or class Of persons
no one has intended any harm to me-
the uniform kindly feeling always mani
tested toward me by the press. regret
only the methods Of haste and rush for
news and precedence OF the present days