New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-26
STEAMBOATS,.

such site he AGtGs eS We're RT
@9fq IN the mean while to issue Instructions
authorizing commanding ofncers OF tL9 ltiteH
any horses mules other animals in the service
of the United States injured or diseased past re-
OF the horrible suffering and agony Of wounded
iingering death of their wounds or of thirst and
starvation. you, Mr. President need not be told H.
within the objects of the Geneva Convention would
render to the IN Wor 6 tbe q no % Re Gross
''''S JOHN P. HAINEs. President.
oyster Bay. N Y. September 5 1903.
My Dear Mr.. Haines: am directed by the Pres
dent to acknowledge the receipt of your commqnl-
taken the matter up at once to see if your s1ggTs
WM. LOEB. IT.. Secretary to the President,
oyster Bay. N " September TO- 1893
My Dear Sir: Referring to your letter Of recent
ton a copy of letter from the lieutenant-general
of the army concerning the matter you mention-
Secretary to the President
QNCLOSURE)
War Department.
Washington. September 9. 1905
Hon Vim. Loeb. Jr. Secretary to the President
MY Dear Mr Loeb: I have the honor to acknow1-
edge the receipt of your letter Of the 5th inst in
closing a copy of communication from Mr. John
P Haines president Of the american Soc let s d%r
ject of the disposition of animals wounded in bat
be informed Whether an order on the lines sug-
gested by Mr.. Haines can be issued to the army
ter has already received the serious attention OF
the department, and during the progress of the war
with Spain a general order. copy OF which IN
close issued. in which 1t was directed that a
veterinary surgeon or some other person author
lied by the commanding officer should accompany
the troops during engagement, with view to
putting an end to the agonieS of all tnCurablY
wounded horses and mules. This order is sttH In
force.
Aside from this fact, the department has IN
structed it's representative to- the convention re-
Gently called by the government of the Swiss Re
publi to revise the rules of the Geneva Convention
-Brigadier General George =. Davis. judge advo-
cate general of the army-to bring this matter be
fore the convention. with a view TO securing uni
form action by the governments interested and
the extension veterinarians attached to an army
of the same protection and immunity as are now
extended to military surgeons. Unfortuna tely, the
meeting Of this convention has been indefinitely
and the action contemplated cannot OF
course he taken until such time IL shall
vene, and to this the department is not advised.
Very truly yours. S. 3. N. YOUNG
Lieutenant General, Chief of Staff.
Thus. without dlsparaging the laudable efforts
OF any of distinguished colleagues In the work
of animal protection. it is still a source of keen
to observe these facts:
First-That In our war with Spain effectuaI
measures were taken for the speedy destruction
of animals severely wounded the field of battle,
and that special order. then issued still remains
in force in the armies of the United States.
shown the utmost readiness to assist in securing
an international agreement for the merciful de-
structiOn of hopelessly wounded animals In all
armies but has already appointed and instructed
army to bring this matter before the Geneva Con-
vention whenever that body shall be assembled.
New-York Nov. 2S 1905.