Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08

The Inspiration which she gave 70
others. has been the means of revolu-
$50. Henri Dunant-When Florence
Nightingale was eight years old. a lat
was born In Geneva. who was destined
to accomplish great results by extending
the work which she had instituted in
the hospital at Scutari.
This boy was Henri Dunant a dream
er or dreams. who from early boyhood
was interested in all kinds OF benevolent
work The noble work accomplished BY
MISS Nightingale in the Crimea aroused
the greatest interest in him
13l. Battle Of Solfsrino-In June
lsos. When Dunant then 3S years old
was travelling as simple tourist he
chanced TO be present and witnessed the
battle OF Solferino. one of the greatest
battles in history, which was fought be-
tween the Italians with their alliea the
French. Napoleon Ill at their head, and
the Anstrlans under Francis Joseph.
The result of this encounter was 90
400 killed and wounded. At this time
the ambulance fac of the warning conn
tries was respected only on its own side
as the flags We're unknown to the enemy
because of this the ambulances, which
were stationed at various points. during
the battle. We're exposed as much to the
shot and shell of the enemy as any 9TH
er part of the field.
The Italians with their allies won the
day. and the Austrians were forced to
retreat. 1t was evening when the re-
treat commenced They endea vored 10
carry away as many Of the wounded as
possible but thousands wee left Ia die
132. Dunant Inauguratss the Great
Work-Dunant witnessed the uncallsd
Ter suffering of these wounded soldiers:
and. with the aid of the good women ot
2 nearby town, he was able 10 organize
temporary relief corps Many of the
wounded were removed to shelter Of
churches and public buildings. There
was an abundance of food. but the
wounded We're dying from hunger. for
lack of those to minister tn their needs.
Dunant organized q band of volunteer
nurses. gath cred from the peasant wn-
men who did their best for the poor sol
diers. There We're not enough even of
these unskiiled nurses to care for all
Cries and appeals for help flled the air
but remained unanswered. Dunant pro-
cured at his own expense loads of ma
se nd o for rhSr use Lac was alwass IN
loved him for all the help he had rem
dered. lie was called lie monsieur -
blanc" the gentleman in white for he
always wore white clothes.
l33. Succeeds in EnIsting Interest
shortly after these stirring events.
Dunant wrote a description Of these
scenes in a book called "A souvenir of
Solferino' which was widely read
throughout Europe. He followed this
up by personal interviews with promt-
nent. notably royal persons Of various
interesting them in his plan To organ
ize in all civilized countries permanent
societies of volunteers which in time of
war would render Succor to the wound
ed. without distinction of nationality.
Lastly. he was supported in his crusade
by his CountrNmen OF Geneva
ence was called and met in Geneva in
October. 1868. when fourteen govern
mentS were represented.
This prepared the way for the inter
national conference which was held ~
the same place the following year. nj
which the famous Geneva. Treaty was
drawn up and signed by AZ countries.
At the time of this convention. the
United States was engaged in Civil
War. and il was deemed best ~ that
time not to enter into any treaty with
foreign nations. although delegates wer"
sent to represent our country. The
minister to Switzerland. Mr. Geo. G.
Fogg and Mr.. chas. :. +. Bowles. Euro
pean Agent of the Sanitary Commission
were the ones selected. Fortunate ~
was for this great project. representa-
tive Of the Sanitary Commission OF ne
battlefield hospital and huryinC
grounds. was able to prove that the
Commissi had met with and overcame
MANY Of the difficulties which. to the
conference seemed almost insurmount-
able
from the United states as we'll as photo
graphs from life Of the field relief corps
with its men. wagons, horses. tents an"
their arrangements and action Thes"
produced an effect as great "a ~ ~aS
valuable.
of this convention the Generan or Red
Gross Treaty was made. The TreatN
provided for protection for hospital
forma atoms and their personnel In time
The emblem in honor of Switzerland
was to he Red Cross on white
ground. the reverse of the nag or S"it .
zerland. This emblem is protected by
10, 10 m
Cross personnel when in active service
and TO protect the hospitals and sup
plies.
In order to carry out the plans for
alternating the suffering Of the sick and
wounded. the convention passed reSo-
lutions recommending that IN every
country there should he q committee
whose duty il would he in time Of war
to cooperate by all measures in iia
power with the medical services of the
army Among the proposed duties of
such committees was the training and
instruction of volunteer nurses to c"-
operate with the military medical au-
thorities for active duty.
Thus the ages have taught tho need or
the patriotic and humane services or he
Red Cross Nurse The necessity Tor
such nurses is recognized by Fed Cross
Societies in every country.
As the noble work of Florence Night
ingale had heen III" inspiration for Henri
Dunants splendid achievements. ." had
the practical lahors Of our great SAM
the Treaty of Geneva.
1875. Development of the Work In
Anne rica-ln 1866 there was organized in
New York CITY. the American Associa
tion for the Relief of MISERY ON the
Pattlet"'ds. Of which DR.. w. W. Follows.
former President of the Sanitary Com
mission. was President. In 1870. TINS
Association RI ised money for the relief
of the Franco Prussian War. but in 1871
il ceased to exist, as W" had not Stgnsd
the Treaty of Geneva and therefore had
no national status
1877. Work Of Clara Barton-In 1859.
Miss Clara Barton. one of tho women
VINO had aided in the care of tho sirk
ana wounded soldiers Of the ttvl War.
while in Geneva, met members Of the In
terna tional Red Cross Society. who cN
pressed regrets that the United states
Government had not signed the GeneVan
Treaty. since il had rendered such
creditable services in securing sanitary
conditions and humane treatment Of SOL
diers during the civil War.
the Pres. of the Internal ional Red Gross
liyered to President Tia % but the let
ter failed 10 obta in any results
IA 1881, through Pres Garfield another
attempt was made. and elected r-s-
ponse from Mr.. Blaine. giving asSur-
ance that with the President approval
the adoption of the Treaty would Ice
recommended to Congress.
1913. American Society OF Red Cross
Encouraged by this promise. Red
Cross Society was organized I'm 1851
with Miss clara Barton as the irs,
sassinated before the Treaty was adopt
ed i1at hftr an1 A., ttafn