The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-15
nae REQ CROSS EXCLUDED.

When the trainers OF the Treaty OF
IGeneva, which provides for the protec-
ton Of agents Of the Red Cross in war
had completed their task they had
omitted all mention of one important
Iouestion which has recently been q
cause Of uncertainty and some embar-
rassment. This question relates to the
function Of the Red Cross In civil war
The treaty. in fact, does not provide
any method BY which the Red Cross
may help to ameliorate the horrors OF
civil war. When two governments are
at war with each other. IL both are
signatories 10 the treaty, both are
bound to protect the agents Of the Red
Cross and respect the Red Cross flag
II only one Of the warning governments
has signed the treaty, neither is re-
quired to respect the Red Cross flag OF
agents. In such a case. the two coun-
tries BY special agreement may bind
themselves 10 observe the rules Of the
treaty and thus avail themselves of the
humane administrations of the Red
Cross.
In the case of civil war or revolu-
tionary movements, however. the revo-
lutionaries are not only not signers OF
the treaty of Geneva. but as they have
no recognized government status, they
are held TO be incapable of entering in
10 a responsible agreement concerning
the Red Cross with the government
which they are trying to overthrow.
Thus no way is left open by which
the Red Cross may legally and safely
give its kindly services in time of civil
war.
During the progress of the recent
revolution in Mexico the American Red
Cross offered its services to the Mexi I.
can government. but it's offer could not
be- accepted. As a result, the American
Red Cross confined It's activities to
the boundary line between the United
states and Mexico, caring for sick and
wounded soldiers and destitute refu-
gees who were brought across the Dor
der or taking the risk of venturing
oyer the line, without official protec-
ton, when the demands of humanity
were Imperative, as was the case at
Juarez, Nogales, Tia Juana and else
whore.
The importance Of rigid government
tai control OF the use of the Red Cross
is well illustrated by the present con-
ditlOn in China where no official super
vision Of such use exists. Many diff
ferent unauthorized organizations are
using the emblem in the hope Of pro-
tecting the lives and property of their
members. Since no restrictions on this
use are enforced. the result is that the
emblem has lost it's sacred charac-
ter IN a farcical and pathetic scramble
for a protection which it cannot give
The following extract from a private
letter from Wuchang, China, bears di-
rectly upon this point:
IAN sorts of people are using the
flag and the badge who have no right
10 do so and many seem to think that
a subscription entities them TO full inn
and protection, The Red Cross
is so badly abused by misuse through
people bringing their valuables to be
stored under its aegis. that presently it
is feared the whole population will
hoist the sign at the last extremity as
a last resort"
At the Ninth International Red Cross
Conference. 10 be held i'm Washington
next May. this omission of the Treaty
Of Geneva to provide for Red Cross
operations i'm civil war will probably be
one Of the important topics for dis
cussion, Representatives of forty or
more countries Will participate in this