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

Efforts to Ameliorate the Condition
of Those Suffering.

To the Editor of The TRIBUNE.
sir. In a recent issue of Your paper you re-
ferred 10 the deputaton which the Church Society
for the Promotion of Kindness to Animals OF Eng
land is sending to this country to urge PRESIDENT
Roosevelt to his influence with the great pow
ers to extend the terms Of the Geneva convention
In the interest Of horses on the field OF battle
II NAV interest your readers to know that dur
ing the war with Spain the American society 10Y
the Prevention of Cruelty TO Animals addressed
through its president, many letters to American
comma nders in the field, and received assurances
not only of the humane treatment OF animals ne-
longing to our own armies. but of the application
of humane principles in the government OF our
new possessions wherever the flag OF the United
states was raised. Indeed. it matter or
SUNRISE as we'll as qualification to learn that in
e,er,- one of our new possessions of the first
evidences of advancing civilization was dlsap-
pearance of cruel practices. which had once been
prevalent.
It is more directly to the purpose however, to
mention that a general order was issued from the
adiutant generals office, by command of Major
General Miles under date Of July 2 1898, directing
commanding officers of all grades. first. to take
certain careful precautions to maintain the health
and promote the comfort of soldiers in the field.
and then in immediate connection with that hui
name order, came the following:
IT With a view to avoid extreme suffering
among wounded horses or mules on the reld OF
geon or some other person detailed BY the com
agemeRt whose duty it viii be to put an to
fhe agonies of ali horses or mules that in his
judgment are suffering TO a degree requiring S"ei
action his part.
BY command of Major Genera! MueS.
H c. CORBIN, Adjutant General
When the thirteenth International Congress OF
Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
of which was a vce-prosident. was held at Paris.
on August o. 1900 both the American and the Royal
society ready to call the attention of that
body this very important matter and the as
cussion was introduced by a resolution offered by
myself as follows;
Resolved, That committee Of two be appointed
Communicate CO with the President of the Swiss Re
Convention 50 that the provisions Of mro the same
fhorzed to mitigate terminate the sufferings of
animals the battlefield
The resolution adopted. and committee was
accordingly appointed, to consist of myself as
chairman. and John Coam, secretary OF the Royal
society. Mr. Colam appointed to visit Berne
and personally communicate with the late Presi-
dent Of the Swiss Republic and to request that
modification of the Geneva Convention might be
made for securing the ends in view.
Mr. Colam proceeded TO Berne and made an elo-
nuent address in advocacy of change and inn
movement of the Geneva Convention, and the
President of the Swiss Republic expressed his cor
dial sympathy with the proposed amendment but
no meeting of the representatives. or the powers
has since been held It was therefore. all the more
imperative that other measures should be taken
and in this country. at least they were taken with
effect before the endeaYor at Berne became, !
we hope only temporarily. abortve, The following
correspondence will show the ready interest which
has been taken this subject by the authorities of
our federal government
September l. 1905
His F;xceIlency Theodore Roosevelt. President of
the United States. oyster Bay. n Y
Sir. At the thirteenth international Congress or
Societies for the Protection of Animals, held at
Paris in July. 1900, the following resolution was
unanimously passed my notion
Resolved, That committee of two be appointed
nv the president OF the congress. with full power
to communicate with the President Of the Swiss Re
Convention. so that the provisions Of the same
shall he extended 10 enable persons properly au-
thoriged to mitigate terminate the suffering of /
animals on the battlefield sax
The president OF the convention appointed John |
Colam Esq. secretary of the Royal Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty Animals OF London, and /
the undersigned who named as chairman OF !
the committee
Subsequently this resolution was laid before the |
President of the Swiss Republic, at Berne who !
pressed his approval OF the laudabe objects of the
Knowing your deep interest In the cause ami /
mai protection, ! venture to ask. in the OF |
American society, your cooperation and |
sistanee in the attempt to mitigate the suffering
OF horses the battlefield and To express the hope
that the representative of the limited States at the
instr etN1 - sd