Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-26

eral million dollars in its treasure.
| While the Japanese society has not so
large, a bank account, it is amply sup
piled with funds and in point of MEM
berShip and enthusiasm in the work
easily stands first.
The Red Cross Society of Japan is
the noblest of the many charitable in
situations that have sprung up in the
land of the mikado since it burst its
bonds of exclusiveness and opened its
doors to the outer world, and in no
other country have efforts to minimize
the horrors of war met with such I'M
paralleled success as among the Japa-
neSe.
During the instruction of the south
west provinces in 1877 n society hav-
ing for its object the relieving of the
wounded and sick on the field of bat
tie came into being. 1t adopted the
name Hakuaisha Society of Beneyo-
lence). After the rebellion was crush
ed the society decided to form a per-
manent organization and prepare for
similar emergencies. When the impe-
rial government recognized the arti-
cleS of the Geneva convention the so
ciety decided to place itself in connec-
ton with the international committee
of the Red Cross at Geneva and to en-
ter into fraternal relations with SINH
lar societies throughout the world.
Having done this, the name of the or
ganization was changed to the Red
Cross Society of Japan.
Since then, fostered and promoted by
imperial favor, the society has grown
to tremendous proportions, the men,
bership now being above 100000. This
is no doubt due in n great degree to the
example set by the mikado and the
empress of Japan. The reigning fam
lily takes a deep interest in Red Cross
work and contributes literally to the
funds of the society. An imperial
prince is always its honorary presi-
dent, and the empress takes an active
part in its work She is a frequent
visitor to the headquarters of the So
ciety and to the Red Cross hospital.
Popular interest is further stimulat-
ed by annual gatherings of the mem
bers from every part of the empire.
These meetings are usually held in one
of the public parks of Tokyo. and the
attendance is seldom less than 100000.
A<C(lhlC5 AiAuSAl ON AAltleAG AdlAC4 II
pictures are given by medical men and
attract much attention.
The headquarters Of the society are
in Tokyo and consist of a number of
buildings containing the administra-
tive offices, storerooms and various 9th
er departments. The amount of hos
pital supplies kept at headquarters is
enormous. Within day or two the
japanese Red Cross society can load
hospital ship or railroad train without
the least confusion. Surgeons and
nurses are ready at all times. and the
arrangement of the hospital stores is
so systematic that they can be moved
at an hours notice. The surgeons and
nurses are under military rule and
work with military precision. Two hos
pital ships owned by the society, the
Hakuai Maru and KOsai Maru, were
especially constructed for the care of
the sick and wounded.
The Red Cross hospital in Tokyo is
the finest in the city. 1t is in this hos
pital that the Red Cross female nurses
receive their training. 1t has capaci |
~ of $50 beds, and its staff is com |
posed of the best physicians and sur
geons in Tokyo. The nurses receive |
the most practical kind Of instruction |
lectures and demonstrations |
given by members of the staff. They |
serve an apprenticeship Of three years /
and on passing a rigorous examination |
receive credentials which permit them /
to enter private practice and in the /
case Of war to enter the field service |
under military rule.
Haruko. empress Of Japan and spe-
cial patron of the Red Cross society, |
was a princess of the house OF Ichijo. |
one OF the five ancient families de- /
scended from the Fujiwara clan. from