The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-09-11

war-the International Committee OF
Contrary to the belief of some, the
International Committee holds no ad.
ministratiye power over the Red Cross
societies of the various nations but.
as a clearing house for their relations
one with another, IL fulhlls an ex.
tremely important responsibility.
The new plans for greater Red
Gross peace activity throughout the
world involve not merely efforts to re-
lieve human suffering, but to preven
IL, and they further include an at
tempt TO arouse all peoples to sense
OF their responsibility for the welfare
OF their fellow-men. The measures
to this end will be submitted to tha
Red Cross of each nation through the
international Committee.
Has Splendid History.
The International Committee of the
Red Cross, spiritual descendent OF the
knights Hospitallers OF the Crusades
has behind II more than half a cen
tury of work for humanity, none more
brilliant than the activities 1t carried
on during the World War at the same
time preserving answering neutral
ity. The Committee was founded
at Geneva, where its headquarters still
are, in 1868. through the efforts OF
the Swiss physician, Henri Dunant
who conceived the idea of an inter
national understanding whereby the
sick and wounded In war would re
ceive medical attention under a com
mon mercy flag. Then was born the
emblem of the Red Cross, which is the
Swiss flag with colors reversed,
tribute to Henri Dunant.
In 1864 there was held at Geneva
an international conference of four
teen nations, the outcome OF which
was the treaty OF Geneva, known also
as the Red Cross treaty, which has
been ratified by practically all the
nations on earth. In brief the treaty
provides that, in war, hospital form
ations and their personnel shall be
treated as neutrals, and that every
nation signing the treaty shall have
an association of volunteers to assist
and supplement the medical serviceF
OF the fighting forces. Accordingly
the chief duties of the International
Committee have been to promote tn
formation of relief societies In coun.
tries where they do not exist, to
serve as Intermediary for the national
societies should they request its serv-
ices and to watch over the develop
ment of the sacred principles of the
Geneva Convention and, within the
limits of its authority, perfect and
carry out the terms -of the treaty.
The record of the International
Committee in the World War is one
Of highest achievement. When the
cataclysm broke the Red Cross so
cieties of every nation looked to the
International Committee for the sig
nal to enter upon the gigantic work
OF relief
The work OF the International Com
mittee during these stirring times
could not have been carried to the In
tense effectiveness that was reache
without a membership of the highest
ability, and this II had. The Presi
dent OF the Committee is Gustav
A a al ~
Switzerland by unanimous vote.
President Ador directed the activi
ties of the International Committed
at all times with SURPRISING energy
He was constantly In touch with the
military and political authorities o.
all the warning countries and alsC
found time TO inspect personally thu
conditions at various prison camps, {
circumstance that did much to i'm
prove the situation OF the captives.
Rights Clearly Defined.
Perhaps the greatest tribute to tn,
rare wisdom with which the Interna
tional Committee dealt with the mul
titude OF questions arising through
out the war is the fact that so far a
is recorded there was not one protes
made regarding Red Cross operationl
by belligerent or neutral. Interpreta
tions OF rights and demands were 81
clearly conveyed by the Internationa
Committee that all Red Cross socie
ties were able to proceed with thei
tasks without hinderance and withou
fear of violating neutrality.