Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-08

peace. Other donations to an interna-
| tional fund to be used by the Interna-
tional peace fund to be used by the In
ternational Red Cross are expected in the
| near future though no definite announce
| ment has been made as to the amounts
! or the sources of these anticipated gifts.
Greeting From President Taft.
Brilliant uniforms, glittering with gold
lace an dthe jeweled decorations of for
eign governments, made gorgeous the
| opening session of the conference which
was held in the magnificent Hall of the
| Americas, In the Pan American building
The reception rendered the visiting dele
gates. In the same place. last night. was
also respondent with the dazzling cos
tunes of the women and the full dress
| uniforms of foreign officers and officers
OF the American army and Navy, resem-
ping IN this respect White House func-
Owing to the absence of President Taft
from the city. Senator Elihu DOT acted
IN ms place. reading letter from the
PRESIDENT. who is the honorary head of
President Taft said:
regret exceedingly that on the oc-
caslon OF the first meeting of the inter-
natlonal conference in the western hemi-
sphere circumstances prevent my ex-
tending In person a most cordial welcome
10 the members, both on the part of the
country In which you have assembled and
also on the part of the American branch
| Oh TINS great organization
| unued as you are for the beneficent
purpose or mitigating the sufferings of
| the SICK and the wounded in time of
war and inspired by the spirit of human
ity, kindness and sympathy. YOU cannot
aal thougn perhaps unconsciously. to do
atlng closer and friendlier relationship
between nations Of the world. The spirit
| or the Red Cross, which believes that
cnarlty may exist even under arms. as
WIN most OF you. burst the confines of
us primal purpose and extended its labors
OF mercy to the victims of natures sud-
Den. awful and mysterious catastrophes
This you did for humanity's sake. but
you wrought wisely also for the training
and experience of your personnel that
you might better fulfill your duties in the
mlsfortunes of war. Nor have YOU been
contented to aid those of your own ma
tional household If in time of war you
have succOred your enemy it is NOT
strange that In time of peace you have
aided your suffering neighbor
No broader, nobler organization than
that of the Red Cross exists TODAY and
sincerely trust and believe that the re-
suits OF your deliberations in this ninth
international conference will prove a
blessing to mankind and bring nations
closer together in the bonds of interna-
tfonal friendship
Senator Root Welcomes Delegates
Senator Root speaking on what the
Red Cross means to the United States.
and welcoming the delegates to the con-
ference. said in part:
1T seems ITO us of the United States
that We shall never again be involved in
war. In the later years there has come
10 our people in America a realization
tnat, while the office Of the Red Cross is
70 mitigate the horrors of war and To re-
lleve Its suffering, there is in the spirit of
the Red Cross a necessary. antagonism to
the spirit of war. Therefore it seems to
US that this great organization is to
work out It's destiny by so influencing the
spirit of mankind that it shall no longer
be needed for its original purpose"
Ambassador da Cana of Brazil. ranking
Latin American diplomat responded to
the address of welcome by Senator Root.
others responding in behalf Of the dele
gates being Gustav Ador, president of the
International committee; Gen. MichaI IF
france, Baron Ozawa Of japan. Mai
marvel, representing Switzerland: nj.
Emile Charter of France and DR.. Fuen-
ties Oh Cuba.
Officers of the Conference.
AT the opening session yesterday Presi-
dent Taft was named as honorary presi-
dent Of the conference, other officers
chosen being:
Vice presidents-Gen. Pfuel of Germany.
Gen. Michal Of France, Baron Ozawa of
Japan, Sir John Furley of Great Britain.
Prof Wreder of Russia. Signor Somaglia
OF Italy, DIR. Farkas of Austro-Hungary
Ambassador de Cana of Brazil and Cen
Davis Of the United States
Secretary general = Emile Charter of
France.
Secretaries-Prof. Kilmie of Germany.
DR.. Silbermark Of Austria, Mr. Won ScheIie
OF Belgium. Col. Ryerson of Canada. Mr..
Wong of China, Maj Meyer of Denmark.
Col. Urcullu of Spain, Mr. BickneIl of the
United States, Col. Ross of Mexico. Capt.
Roquette of Portugal, Dr. Fristed of
Sweden. Maj. MarvaI Of Switzerland DR.,
Besim Omir Bey Of Turkey and Mr.. Dim
troff of Russia
After the addresses the conference
adjourned. the delegates going from the
american building to the tempo
rary building that has been erected
just across 18th street, where the Red
Cross exhibit has been arranged This
building, in the form of a gigantic
cross. is filled with various apparatus
used both in times of war and peace
by the Red Cross organizat ions of the
various nations. the exhibit being a
most interesting one.
Last Nights Reception.
The reception rendered last night by
the American Red Cross to the visit
ing delegates to the conference was an
affair long to be remembered, both for
its sartorial magnifcence and it's
social significance. Few social affairs
have been held in Washington which
have surpassed last nights reception
the first of an elaborate series Of events
which has been arranged in honor of
the mem hers of this first nj al