Milford chronicle., 1917-08-24
AMERICAN RED CROSS


Henry P. Davidson. as Chairman OF
the War Council of the American Red
Cross authorizes the following:
The War Department has author
ized certain military ranks and titles
TO be conferred upon officers and re-
representatives. of the Red Cross, when
they have occasion to go into foreign
theatres of war. The plan has been
adopted because under the abnormal
conditions now prevailing in Europe
actual experience has shown this ne
cessary. These military ranks are
in effect exceptional passports giving
Red Cross officers working in the
theatre of war unquestiOned Oppor-
tunity TO move about freely and thus
tc perform their functions.
THE War Department authorizes
no officer or representative of the
Red Cross to utilize any military rank
or title in the United States. Such
commissions, even in the theatre OF
war. will carry no pay, and all rights,
privileges or military rank conferred
on any Red Cross representative as
such. will expire Immediately upon
his leaving the theatre of war or the
Red Cross service. Nothing in this
plan changes the character or status
IF the American Bed Cross, its offic-
ers or any of its members.
"The American Red Cross is dis
tinctly a nOn-cOmbatant, civilian or
ganizatiOn. It's character as such
will be jealousy guarded as one of its
greatest assets, and it is the policy
of the Red Cross to discourage as
sumption by its Representatives of
any relationship or activity which
does not harmonic absolutely with
its distinctively civilian character
AS many questions have arisen as
to the attitude of the American Red
Cross towards Germans wounded on
the battlefield, and also toward Amer
leans of German origin Otfliating
themselves with Red Cross hospital
units going abroad, the following
statement has been issued by Chair
man Davidson to make the attitude of
the Red Cross clear:
When war was declared between
the United States and Germany, the
neutrality of the American Red Cross
of course ended automatically. The
American Red Cross can cooperate
only behind the lines of the armies
of the United States and its allies.
But the Red Cross knows no such
thing as the nationality of a wounded
man. Any wounded enemy turned
over to the care OF the American Red
Cross will receive as kindly treatment
as any friend.
The Red Cross will not only ex-
tend every aid to the armies of Amer
lea and its allies, but it will assist in
every possible way the sick, wound
ed and afflicted among the civilian
populations among our allied cOun-
tries. This is in conformity with the
practice of the Red Cross Society in
every country.
LAS to the policy of the Red Cross
in this country toward those of Ger
man origin. The Red Cross knows
no difference and makes no distinc-
tion between any American citizen.
Insofar as base hospital units are
concerned, the Red Cross equips and
enlists the personnel of those to be
sent to Europe to operate not only
with our own armies but with those
of our allies. Once enlisted into ser
vice, these units become part of the
Army of the United States, and there
49, VI COuiS6s no uiScIlmludLlOu Dy Iu6
Red Cross or the American Army
against any loyal American citizen,
no matter of what national origin.
Our allies in Europe, however,
have requested the State Department,
not to permit persons born in enemy
countries, or OF parents born in an
enemy country, to travel as civilians
in any of the allied countries. Re
presentations, however, have been
made by the Red Cross, which it is
hoped will ultimately prove effective,
whereby loyal American citizens on
Red Cross service, may be exempted
from the operation of this rule, no
matter what the country of their or
! igin.
The Red Cross wants it clearly
understood that it welcomes the CO.
operation Of every loyal American,
and that it does not regard that 10y
atty as measured by the country of
his origin"