Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-15
RED CROSS EXCLUDED.
Has No Rights in Civil War-PathetIc
Illegal Use in China.

When the trainers of the Treaty Of
Geneva, which provides for the protec-
ton of agents OF the Red Cross in war,
had completed their task they had omit
ted all mention of one important question
which has recently been Il cause OF ull-
certainty and some embarrassment. rms
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 amcliorate the horrors of civil
war When two governments are at war
with each other. il both are signatories
to the treaty, both are hound TO protect
the agents Of the Red Cross and respect
the Red Cross flag. If only one of the
warning governments has signed the
trnatv neither is required to respect the
Red Cross flag or agents. In such -
case. the two countries by special agree
ment may bind themselves, to observe
the rules Of the treaty and thus avail
themselves of the humane administra-
tons of the Red Cross.
In the case of civil war or revolutionary
movements however. the reVoiutionarieS
are not only not siSners of the treaty of
Geneva, but as they have no recognized
governmental status, they are held 70 be
incapable of entering into responsible
agreement concerning the Red Cross with
the government which they are trying 10
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 revo-
luton in Mexico, the American Red
y
government, but its offer could not be
accepted As a result. the American Red
Cross confined its activities 10 the boun-
Diary lire between the United States and
Mexico, caring for sick and wounded
soldiers and destitute refugees who were
brought across the border or taking the
risk of ventuI1ng over the line. without
official protection. when the demands of
humanity were Imperative. as was the
case at Juarez, Nogales. Tia Juana and
elsewhere.
The Importance of rigid governmental
control of the use of the Red Cross is
well illustrated by the present condition
such use exists Many different unau-
thorized organizations are using the EN-
blem in the hope of protecting the lives
and property of their members. Since no
restrictions on this use are enforced. the
result is that the emblem has lost its
sacred character in fareical and pa
thette scramble for protection which
il cannot give. The following extract
from private letter from Wuchang,
China, bears directly upon this point:
"All sorts OF people are using the flag
and the badge who have no right to do
so and many seem to think that a sub
scription entities them to full immunity
and protection The Red Cross is So
badly abused by misuse through people
bringing their valuabes to be stored un-
der its aegs, that presently il is feared
the whole population will hoist the sign
at the last extremity as a last resort
At the Ninth International Red Cross
next May, this omission of the Treaty of
Geneva to provide for Red Cross opera
tions in civil war will probably be one of
the important topics for discussion
Representatives of 10 or more countries
will participate in this conference.