New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04
THE RED CROSS PRAISED.
DIR. V4N REYPEN'S TIEWS.
Reorganization Plans the Best That
Can Be Derised.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

tFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington Dec 3.-"After carefully exam
ming the Red Cross systems of Great Britain
and France, I returned to the United States
convinced that the plans adopted for the pro-
spective reorganization of the American Red
Cross are the best that can be devised, and
that they excel those employed elsewhere" said
Rear Admiral William *. Van Reypen, pres,-
dent of the American National Red Cross. to-
day to correspondent of The Tribune
I'm Great Britain I found a movement for
reorganization of the existing societies, for there
are three with a view to promoting the uni
fcation Of the work and the efficiency Of the
system. There are now maintained the British
Relief Society, the Army Nursing Association
and the st. Johns Ambulance Association. The
first confines its labors to raising funds to be
used for Red Cross purposes. the second fur
nshes trained to the army and navy
and the third renders first aid to the injured.
During the Boer war all three operated under
the guidance Of central committee, which is
still in existence To the British Relief Society
however. was delegated the entire duty of rails
lnG funds. in which task it was very success
fuI. and there remains surplus Of 100000 as
result Of its efforts. Now, however. the
felief Society maintains that the funds II col
lected can properly be used only in time of war
and that contention embarrasses the work Of
the other associations. For this reason a re-
organization which will obviate existing diff
culties is desired
"heh explained our plans to the leaders
Oh 'he Red Cross movement in England they ex-
pressed unbounded admiration for the perfec-
uon OF the system and intimated that thew
would be glad If conditions there permitted
them to adopt a similar system. invited snr.
gestions as to possible Improvement but thew
had none to offer.
IN france L found that the5 had highly Of
ncient Red Cross association. with nurses am
DOIance bearers. etc, organized similarly TO the
army so that division Headquarters are main
tanned at the headquarters of each division of
the army. 1t was explained to me- however
that the French Red Cross had fatal defect
In that. were war to occur the conservation law
would immediately go into effect and would
practically decimate the ranks OF the Red Cross
The French authorities hope however m o,,er
come this defect, and TO that end will urge the
government 10 exempt members Of the Red
cross from the operation of the conservation
law 1hete. also, the warmest commentator
OF TIE American plan expressed 1t was
remarked that, while the French society was
too closely allied with the government the mar
tal association, which il is proposed to establish
between the American Red Cross and the Gov
eminent seemed TO fulfil every desirable Dur
undesirable
we nave done practically nothing" said Pres
ldent Van Reypen, speaking of the American So
cIety' toward reorganization beyond the eff
forts or eX-Secretaries oFster and Olnev to conf
piete the charter which will ask Congress to
authorize early in the coming session We have
not opened any headquarters contenting our
selves with renting place to store the records
Oh OF tne society. When we have our charter
ness lines. '9
Under our charter 1t will he our aim to
organize subordinate State societies, which will
dct III co-o3efatlon with the national society and
which will be represented on the board Of TINS
tees of the national society In the event Of
war The entire organization. national and state
would act as unit to afford such aid as II is
the purpose of the Red Cross 10 render In ths
event of local eatastrophes the state oreapiya
t!on, being in the vicinity. would ifnmediateIv
take charge and render first aid 10 the Injured
so TO speak. At the same time it would com
fnunlcate with the national trustees and the
entire forces of the national Red Cross coriT
II necessary be brought to bear to render the
necessary assistance"
Asked when the next meeting of the Pod
cross Society would be held President Van
Reypen said that it would probably he some
time in January, the present bylaws leaving il
to the discretion of the trustees to cali fbe
meeting. 1t is hoped that the new charter will
be promptly secured from Congress, and then
the work of reorganization will go on rapidly
President Roosevelt is much Interested in the
reorganization Of the Red Cross and will lend All
pOSSlDIs assistance. lie VIII name six trustees
and 1t is assumed will select for the first year the
six additional trustees provided for by the new
charter, who. eventually, are to be selected nv
the subordinate societies. President Van Rev
pen said there had thus far heen no probing of
the conduct of Red Cross affairs under the
former mana cement. It is probable that in or
ganiZing the State societies the Governor or
some similar official will be named as ex-oficio
president of the State branch.
In speaking OF the bright prospects for the
American National Red Cross, President Van
Reypen paid high tribune TO the earnest and
intelligent efforts of Miss Boardman. who did
so much 10 make the intended reorganization
possible.