The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1906-07-12
NEW RULES FOR
THE RED CROSS
Changes in MethOdS Of Caring For
the Wounded.
FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION.
The Duties Of BeIIigerenis on the Battlefield
Defined-Final Occupants of the Field
Must Fiud All Wounded and Dead and
Protect Them Against PIlIage-Other
Regulations.

Geneva, (By Cable) The final text
OF the revised Red Cross Convention.
whereby practically all the nations Of
the civilized world agree upon rules in
the matter Of the treatment of the sick,
wounded and dead, members of the
hospital corps and nurses in time OF
war, shows a number of changes from
the antiquated convention of 1864.
The protocol of this new convention.
which was signed by William Cary San
ger, who was assistant secretary of war
under Secretary Root; Rear Admiral
Sperry, president of the Naval War
College; Gen. George B. Davis, Judge
advocate general of the American Army,
and General O'Reilly, surgeon general
OF the American Army, all acting in be-
halt of the United States government
until December 81, 1906, for the ratihca-
ton of the convention by the govern
ments concerned The main features Of
the new treaty are as follows:
Chapter /. is devoted to the wounded
and sick. Each belligerent is required
to respect and care for sick and wounded
officers, soldiers and others attached of
ilcially TO the enerny's army who fall into
ITS hands. Should one belligerent be
compelled TO abandon sick and wounded
on the field, and leave members of the
hospital corps and material for their
care, such sick and wounded become
prisoners of the enemy, subject to the
stipulations made by the bellige~ents
for the exchange Of prisoners after each
engagement The final occupant of the
held shall adopt measures to find all
wounded and dead and to protect them
against pillage before the final disposal
OF the bodies by burial on incineration.
The occupant of the field is charged
with a scrupulous examination of the
bodies of the enemy. There shall be a
reciprocal exchange of information rela-
tive to the dead, and all letters, personal
objects and valuables found on the field
of battle shall be gathered and transmit
ted to the other side
Chapter H. provides for the immuni-
ty of members of the field hospital corps.
This immunity shall cease should those
i'll question commit acts prejudicial to
the enemy, but the carrying of arms by
members of the hospital corps. the pres
ence of pickets or sentinels around hos
pital or the presence of the arms of the
wounded within a hospital do not con-
SN'NN'NS SAOdAiOS AOl NAlC MdlNCl Vi SuOu
immunity.
Chapter III. details the protection to
be accorded the various branches of the
hospital corps, the members of which
are exempted from the treatment given
prisoners of war. Other chapters pro-
vide for the protection of hospital mater
ial and the immunity of conveys con-
Quoting evacuation, and require that the
various governments adopt repressive
laws against the commercial use of the
Red Cross emblem. The provision rela-
tive to arbitration by the permanent tri-
bunal of The Hague is limited to an in
depreciation of the terms of the new
convention in times of peace.
In addition to the leading nations of
the world China, Korea, Siam and Congo
were among the participants of the con-
ference. The Russian and japanese
delegates took most active part in the
proceedings, mingling together in a most
friendly spirit.