The Democratic advocate., 1914-11-06
INTERESTING
ACCOUNT
BY N. c. c. BEACH ON HIS CRUISE
WITH S S. RED CROSS.

With desire not to offend | will by
request write a little of our experien-
ces of the Red Cross Cruise, without
touching on what may be the beliefs
or opinions Of any person or persons.
Few indeed are there of civilized
humanity that really want war. War;
the ravisher OF resources, homes, hu-
mans and nations. War, the great
and almost invincible hand that stays
the time of civilized progress. War,
| the grim terror that makes the best OF
men, almost forget that they are hu-
man, and vet, when humanity 20 for
gets itself, thankful should we be that
there are some who from goodness OF
heart, feel that it is their duty, to ad-
minister to the wants and needs for
the relief of suffering humanity. For
that reason the cruise of the red
cross the most remarkable cruise, OF
it's kind, in the history of the United
States and within the knowledge OF
sea Joining men, was made. The ;. >.
7 Red Cross was originally the Hamburg
American Line Steam Ship Hamburg"
! 10500 gross tonnage. The ship was
generously offered by the officers Of
the Hamburg American Line Com
pany to the American Red Cross
The acceptance and charter Of
which, was made possible by
special act of Congress, and on the
afternoon of September 8, 1914, the
German flag was lowered, in its place
the stars and stripes were hoisted.
Conditioned by Belligerent Countries
that the Red Cross must lie command
ed BY American Naval Officers, before
recognition be given by those coun-
tries, thus emitting her to all privil-
eges accorded to ships of neutral
countries. And, it might consistently
be said; that the Navy Department
loaned to the American Red Cross,
the officers needed for the cruise. a.
the Personal OF the Hamburg Ameri-
can Line has the reputation for eff
cient work, it was decided to retain all
the old crew of the ship, but objec-
tions were offered by belligerent
Countries. And the Red Cross Off
cials not wishing to offend any coun-
try, nor to embarass our Government
ordered an all American crew and the
work Of changing to an entire new
y crew was accomplished in Ione day.
Owing to the quick change, and the
supposed given crew being unfamiliar
with the working conditions Of the
ship, many were the unfavorable pre-
dictions as to the outcome of our trip,
and as to that, suffice to say the 8. 8.
Red Cross reached each destination at
the hour designated by our Captain and
is today, in the hands of the Hamburg
American Line officials, in as good, if
not better condition than when taken
over by the American Red Cross So
ciety.
The expedition was commanded by
Rear Admiral Aaron Ward, u. S. Navy
Retired. A gentleman well versed in
International Law linguist of re-
markable ability, one who has to his
credit, many years Of practical ex-
perience al the United States Naval
Attache to foreign countries.
The ship was commanded by Cap
tain Armistead Rust, U. 8. Navy Re-
tired, the author of valued and much
used works on navigation. Conceed
by all who know the game well, to be
one Of our greatest navigators. The
ship was officered by gentlemen, all
OF whom have to their credit, many
years Of honorable service in the
United States Navy. Our civilian
brother officers were the pick and
flower from all the lines, sailing from
New York, all selected because OF
their known ability I'm their various
professional duties.
Now read this, and then again. Our
commander in chief was A Woman.
Our first Assistant Commander in
Chief was A Woman, Miss Mabel T.
Bordman and Miss Jane A. Delans
Aye, both women. President and Vice
N President OF the Great American Red
Cross. Now the first thing that comes
to minds OF many, who are not famil-
lar with the true conditions and work
, of the Great American Red Cross,
would say: Yes, but they are figure
heads" be assured that you will find
them consistant hard working ladies.
at their desks more hours than those
they assign to their subordinates, or,
| they are out In the interest Of their
beloved cause. Their time, without
remuneration, and much of their pri-
vate means they give, are for the /
love and good they accomplish for
suffering humanity. The 8. 5. Red
Cross is the only ship Oh her class,
that ever left the Port OF New York, |
or any other Port in the world, with
an all American crew and Passenger
list. The passengers were all sur
geons and nurses, of them, can be !
truly said, gave up lucretive practices
TO represent and work for the Great
American Red Cross their work? no
relieve suffering? Their destination
they did not know, they willingly went !
where ordered. If they had any mis-
giyings as to what might be their fate
in those torn, wrecked and unfortu-
nate countries, no one knew it, with
true American fortitude they went-tO
what-only time can tell. 20 all the
people In the world are not bad. Are
they? The trip across the Atlantic was
not one given over to pleasure, it was
case of work for all hands, though
! the surgeons and nurses derived much
pleasure from the work assigned to
them. From early morning until
night the different units were instruct \
ed in languages; first aid to the
wounded on the battlefield, and In !
conditions that would only be met in |
times of war, the work was laid out
from day to day for the Surgeon |
Directors by Surgeon Major Robert ].
Y Patterson TTnftnd States ARMY ma IN