Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-02
MISS BARTON DENIES
HAND-KISSING STORY
Philadelphia NOrth-American.

Clara Barton, president of the National
Red Cross Society, has made this state
ment denying the reports that when she
was about to kiss the cars hand in ST.
Petersburg he prevented her on the
ground that such homage was not nee
essary:
There is, perhaps. no more hopeless
undertaking than that of attempting to
set aside a sensational report, once cir
culated and accepted by the public, and
replacing it by plain. simple statement
of calm facts, with nothing beyond their
truthfulness to commend them, but In the
interest of truth, of correct information
in regard to the customs of other
countries and peoples, and the better APP
pearance of our own, such an attempt
seems called for.
"Since my return from the International
Conference of St. Petersburg, scarcely
three weeks ago, 1 have seen several hun
dreds of newspaper articles concerning
myself-all kindly intended, it is true, but
so wanting in facts. so sensational and
absurd as to be ridiculous. 1 need not
repeat them. Those who have seen will
know them: If any have not, they have
been mercifully spared.
THE facts were that the delegates of some
fifty nations met at st. Petersburg by invi-
tation of the Russian Red Cross and the sane
ton of the Russian government hundred or
more delegates were present and were royalty
received by the emperor and empress and other
royal personages at their respective palaces.
The greatest courtesy and hospitality were
shown to all alike. Every delegate was per-
sonally presented, received and welcomed IN
the same genial, open, friendly manner as a
like delegation would be received by our
manly and cordial president at his home.
in some language familiar to him, and was en-
couraged to speak on subjects of general IN
terest.
of hand kissing. let me say that have, in the
last thirty years visited and at times resided In
most of the countries in Europe and have had
opportunity of becoming .conversant with the
customs of most of the prominent countries
of the world. In none of these have I ever
found the custom OF lady kissing a gentle
man upon presentation, or any other way and
do not believe It exists in any civilized coun-
try In the world.
PRODUCTION. or In friendly greeting. and one
lady, II permitted, may kiss the hand of an
other lady, her superior In rank position, but
this is the extent, so far as have seen. and
I would earnestly recommend in our public
statements In future. as respectable Americans.
rightly remember the subject of ladies kissing
gentlemen in public has occupied a large
space I'm Journalism within the last few years.
How the nonsensical report regarding my
self upon introduction to the or emperor
came into circulation or existence have not
the slightest knowledge. as l have seen no re-
no statement to any person either by word or
pen, and yet l am represented through our
things and made the czar of Russia response
BILE for a custom foreign to and as unlike
him as II would be 10 President Roosevelt.
II naturally regret the position in which II
places me In foreign countries II the reports
reach them. as all must know that they are
false: but how they to know that the false
hoods were not mine? This plain, simple denial
is all that / can do, and / do this without
reproach or complaint Of any person or class
of persons. No one has intended any harm
to me-quite the contrary-and I am grateful
for the uniform kindly feeling always man
ifested toward me by the press. regret only
the methods of haste and rush for news and
precedence of the present days, by which In
spite Of the best intentions such mistakes be-
come possible.
1.-THE car, or Emperor Nicholas II, as he is
known. Is young man OF thirty to thirty-fve.
of fine figure. and a face Of kindly genial ex-
preston which time viii mellow and develop
into manly beauty, not unlike that OF our
martyred President Mckinley.
HE is worshiped by his people; most flial
son TO his mother, the Empress Dowager Dag
mar. and never so happy when in the midst
OF the family group, his handsome wife ana
four bright little baby girls