Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY
RELIEF
Bureau Of Medical Service
AMBULANCE COMPANIES
A. r. c. 146
Jan. 1, 1917
omcial Status

Z
The purposes Of the American Red
Cross; defined by Federal Statute and
embodied In the charter granted by Con-
10 furnish volunteer aid to the sick
and wounoed of armies in time of war
~ accordance with the spirit and condi-
tons of the Conference Of Geneva Of
October, 1859. and also Of the Treaty Of
Geneva Of August %. 1864. to which the
United States of America gave its ad-
hesion March l, 1882.
TO perform all the duties devolved
upon national society by each nation
which has acceded to said Treaty.
act IN matters Of voluntary relief
naval authorities as q medium Of COM
munication between the people Of the
united states of America and their
army and Navy, and to act in such mat
ters between similar national societies
or other governments through the
Somite International de Secours.' and
the Government and the people and the
army ana Navy of the United States of
In proclamation by the President Of
me United States, dated August 90, 1911,
me FOLLOWING statements are made
191D:
!. That the American National Red
oross Is the only volunteer society now
aid to its land and naval forces in time
of war.
2. That any other society desiring to
dSSlSldICc can 90 SO ONLY
Cross. i,eu
g.. That to comply with the REQUIRE
ments Of Article 10 Of the International
Red cross Convention Of 1906 (revision
or the Treaty of Geneva). that part of
the American National Red Cross rem
dering aid to the land and naval forces
services thereof"
The Act Of Congress approved July "a,
1912. also states:
hat
when war Is imminent. the President
may deem the cooperation and use of
the American National Req Cross with
the sanitary services of the land and
naval FORCES to be necessary. he is au-
thoriZed to accept the assistance ten
dered by the said Red Cross and to en-
pioy the same under the sanitary ser
vices of the Army and Navy in conform
ity with such rules and regulations as
Sec. q That when the Red Cross CO.
operation ops alton and assistance with the land
threatened hostilities shall have been ac-
cepted by the President the personnel
entering upon the duty specified in sec
Ing to their place of duty. while serving
thereat. and while returning therefrom'
De transported and subsisted at the cost
and charge Of the United States as
said forces, and the Red Cross supplies
that may be rendered as a gift and ac-
cepted for use in the sanitary service
shall be transported at the cost and
charge of the United States"
g. o: IS. War Department. 1929
Based on the foregoing authority, the
nitely stated the character of the as
sistance they desire to receive from the
Red cross IN the event of war: Their
Instructions require the Red Cross to
CARNATIONS. such as Ambulance Com
panies. Base Hospitals. Hospital Units
Surgical Sections. Sanitary Training De-
(See Regulations governing the en-
ployment of the American Red Cross in
time Of war War Department. Decem-
Der is, 1850
The functions of Red Cross Ambu-
lance Companies correspond with those
Of Evacuation Ambulance Companies OF
the regular army. which. according to
1915. are as follows:
T. The primary function of the
Evacuation Ambuiance Company is the
evacuation esaststi. Of Field Hospitals and the
route therefrom to evacuation base or
other hospitals on the line of communi-
cations, or to points with train or boat
to such hospitals" (Par. so7)
On the march the company will
be brought up to clear field hospital. OF
line Of communcat ons." Oar svsl
%. At the proper time or times dur
ing or after the battle each company
under instructions given therefor by the
surgeon. advance group, will proceed to
the Held hospitals which it is to
eyacuate. will report to the commanding
officers thereof. will receive the patients
who are to go to the rear and in due
course will deliver them to the Medical
Department organization which Is desig-
mated for their further care"
"(a) The evacuation ambulance COM
pany will receive and provide for all
patients turned over to it by field hos
pital." (See Par 1861
"(b) 1t will also receive and provide
for the slightly wounded. able to walk
who report to it by proper authority
from the dressing stations the station
for slightly wounded. OF other places on
the field" (Par. SID
- The assignment of the sick and
wounded to the various kinds Of tra.s-
port automobiles. ambulances, wagons
country carts. bearers, etcO will be
made by the commanding officer Of the
company according to their condition
In doubtful cases the authorities OF the
hospital should be called upon for ne
cessary information" (Par. Si2D
s.. Ordinarily Red Cross Ambulance Com
panies will be used to supplement and
assist similar organizations (Ambulance
Companies and Evacuation Ambulance
Companies) of the regular army in the
transportation Of sick and wounded
from the zone Of the advance 1.-THE