The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-10
PRESIDENT OF
THE RED
CROSS SOCIETY

ceived a magnificent jeweled decoration
from the queen of Servia-
After this there was comparative
quiet in international work till 1892.
Then occurred the awful Russian FAM
inc. when the cars poverty stricken
subjects, obscure and unknown. per-
ished by the thousand of fever. filth and
starvation, how many never can be
known The car himself is the head of
the Russian Red Cross. but Clara Bar
ton knows so much better what to do
IN such cases than any car or emperor
OF them ali that she was allowed TO
manage the famine relief measures in
her own way. She did it. and among
those who show her most honor of all
this summer in st. Petersburg are Rus
sian high dignitaries. Clara Barton's
victories OF peace are no less splendid
than her achievements in war and
shine as bright in the telling.
What next2 The Armenian outbreak
and massaeres in 1886. Civilization was
walked up by tales of the sufferings of
the victims. 1t was believed that the
sultan, treacherous. tyrannical and sus-
picious TO the last degree. would not
let the Ped Cross people minister
among his subjects, rebel or otherwise
and particularly a Red Cross woman
But that woman's tact and knowledge
overcame even the grudging suspicion
Of despot. Miss Barton not only sue
ceeded in putting her relief forces. fully
equipped, in the field, but performed
such works of mercy that the sultan
was touched even TO his heart and
thanked the American Red Cross presj-
dent personally and himself bestowed
on her one of the highest honor decora-
lions within his gift. Clara Barton has
formed the habit Of succeeding in her
undertakings. That habit once formed
is. like others. hard to break.
What next? Work at home tn the
Cuban insurrection grew TO such pro-
portions that the Red Cross people were
wanted. Three years before the Span
ish break with the United States there
was need of Red Cross work in Cuba
but just how to begin it was a difficult
problem until Miss Barton asked and
obtained permission from the queen of
Spain to take her nurses, doctors and
supplies to the island. Then she told
the people of the United States that she
needed $4,000 TO care for the sick
starving and wounded Spaniards ana
Cubans. Very quickly, as always. II
was forthcoming. President Mckinley
himself was greatly interested in the
movement. and under his auspices-at
his request, in truth-Miss Barton
sailed for the island. Her field work
in Cuba is among the most thrilling
and dramatic of her experiences. There
she remained. a neutral minister of
mercy, helping Cuban and Spaniard
alike. till one day a message came to
her. 1t said:
War will commence at once between
Spain and the United States. The Ameri-
can consul has been ordered home from
Cuba Get ready TO sail with him TO the
United States. Clear out quick.
Which she did. She continued her Ia
bors. however, during all the progress
of the war and up to its close.
Miss Barton has always preserved the
entente cordiale with military authori-
ties by holding herself and her aids
amenable TO discipline. Arriving on a
battlefield. she first presents her Gre
dentials to the commanding general;
then she puts herself. her supplies. her