The Washington times., 1903-04-03
Prominent Washington
ians viii Appeal Their
Case Against Miss Bar
ton to international
Congress.
Now Ignore Present Off
cerS--EXpect Co-opera-
ton OF Conference in
Switzerland Possible
Hearing in Congress.

Brig. Gen. John NJ. Wilson. Gen. John
W Foster and the other Washing on
members OF the American National Red
Cross Society, known as the minority"
will make fun report to the Interna-
tionaI Rel Cross at its forthcoming an
nuaI meeting in Geneva, of the manner
in which Clara Barton and her sup
porters have changed the bylaws Of
the American society They are con-
fident that the international society Will
refuse to cooperate longer with the cr-
ganizatiou which, according TO these
tions, has violated It's charter
and conducted itself in such a manner
that 1t IS no longer entitled to existence
under the treaty Of Geneva
The legal existence Of the American
National Red Cross is seriously ques-
toned by the Washington members Of
the society The withdrawal OF the sup
port OF the President and the Cabinet
and the loss Of the confidence OF the
public are believed to have deprived ne
society OF its charter rights. The char
Ter EsdELEG 70 TIE TNt-u AIDSS Et ABt4-
gress under the treaty OF Geneva makes
the organization responsible 10 the Gov
ernment OF the United States. which
gave It official recognition
Since the President and Cabinet have
ATefused to act longer as an advisory
committee tha American Red Cross is
held TO be shorn OF its power. and The
minority" declares that il IS mare
skeleton which Miss Barton aad the
executive committee are cIinging. In
ease OF great calamity, II is alleged.
the society would have no authority 10
undertake relief WORT
A Statement Being Prepared.
The committee OF three named BY the
minority is preparing a careful s5ate-
ment Of the affairs Of the American So
eiety. which is to be submitted TO the
International Red Cross. and later to
Congress The international society
meets before the opening OF the next
session of Congress. Consequently the
action OF the international society on
the methods Of the American organiza-
tion viii be presented to Congress.
Miss Barton and the present execu-
tive E0GlHl2AtEG aEt 20 De lEL-DAS StA [uA1t-
pIetely b. hose Washington members
and the members from all parts Of the
country who have allied themselves with
the movement 10 reorganize the Red
Cross. Congress viii be asked 10 recog-
nize officers who VIII be elected in ae-
cordance with the original charter OF
the society and pledged to conduct the
affairs of the society in such manner
that It viii meet with the requirements
set forth in the charter.
y am ready TO lay my rusty armor at
your feet, " is the statement which Miss
Barton has made for many years in her
annual address to the society
But when she was asked to act in
accordance with this expression she de-
cided 10 continue 10 wear her rusty
armor'' and Indignantly stated that she
did not wish TO accept the honorary
Presidency and become an object OF
charity BY accepting an annuity. She
and her supporters have now spurned all
offers Of compromise made by the Wash
irgtonians. IN consequence the local
members OF the Red Cross decided 10
ignore them completely. as announced
in yesterdays Times
Anticipate Opposition IN Congress.
The local members of the Red Cross
anticipate determined opposition in Con-
gross. They do not expect Miss Barton
and her supporters TO surrender with
out a hard fight. but they believe that
The usefulness of the American Red
Cross depends on its complete reorgsni-
zatfoE and will make their fight in Con-
grsss fully prepared
The Washington members of the Red
Cross. however. will not attend the 2ext
annual meeting OF the present American
National Red Cross Society. IN fsct,
they hope to have the body completely
reorganized before next year. and do rot
expect TO have any further negotiations
with Miss Barton and the members OF
her executive Samuel Jar
Wis. W p Philips and Francis Atwater.