The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-23
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 czar or emperor
or them all 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 next? The Armenian outbreak
and massacres in 1896. Civilization was
walked up by tales of the sufferings of
the victims. It was believed that the
sultan, treacherous. tyrannical and sus-
picious to the last degree, would not
let the Red Cross people minister
among his subjects, rebel or otherwise,
and particularly 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 presi-
dent personally and himself bestowed
on her one of the highest honor decora-
tons within his gift. Clara Barton has
formed the habit of succeeding in her
10. Ii IL H., =
| is, like others, hard to break.
What next? Work at home till the
| Cuban instruction 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 $25, 900 to care for the sick.
starving and wounded Spaniards and
Cubans. Very quickly, as always, it
! 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, q 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 q
battlefield, she first presents her Gre
dentials to the commanding general;
then she puts herself, her supplies, her