Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1919-10-23

"af-the International Committee of
contrary to the belief of some tt.
International Committee holds no ad
m1nIstratlye power over the Red Cross
societies of the various nations but
as clearing house for their relations
one with another, it fuIf1lls an ex
tremely important responsibility.
The new plans for greater Red
Gross peace activity throughout the
world involve not merely efforts to re-
HeVe human suffering, but to proven
II, and they further include San az
tempt TO arouse all peoples to a -sense
OF their responsibility for the welfare
OF their fellow-men. The measures
20 this end will be submitted to the
RED Cross of each nation through the
International COMMITTEES.
Has Splendid History.
The International Committee of the
Hed cross, spiritual descendent of the
Knights HospitaIlers of the Crusadas
mas behind it more than half a cen
fury of work for humanity, none more
brilliant than the activities it carried
on during the World War at the same
time preserving answering neutral
1ty The Committee was founded
at Geneva, where its headquarters still
are, IN 1868, through the efforts of
the Swiss physician, Henri Dunant
VINO conceived the idea of an inter
national understanding whereby the
sick and wounded in war would re
ce1ve medical attention under a com
mon mercy flag Then was born the
emblem of the Red Cross, which is the
Swiss flag with coIors reversed.
tribute to Henri Dunant
In 1864 there was held at Geneva
int arno Hon s
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
atoms and their personnel shall be
treated as neutra1s, and that every
nation signing the treaty shall have
an association of volunteers to assist
and supplement the medical services
of the fighting forces. AccordineIy
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 sery-
ices and to watch over the develop
nlent of the sacred principles of the
Geneva Convention and, within the
carry out the terms of the treaty
The record of the international
Committee in the World War is one
of highest achievement When the
catac1ysm 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 it had The Presi
dent of the Committee is Gustav
Ador, recently elected President of
Switzerland by unanimous vote
President Ador directed the activf
ties of the International Committee
at all times with SURPRISING energy
He was constantly in touch with the
military and political authorities of
all the warning countries and also
found time to inspect personally the,
conditions at various prison camps, q.
circumstance that did much to i'm
prove the situation OF the captives.
Rights Clearly Defined.
Perhaps the greatest tribute to the
rare wisdom with which the Internal
tional- Committee dealt with the muI
utude of questions arising through
out the war is the fact that so far as
is recorded there was not one protes
made regarding Red Cross operations
by helligerent or neutral Interpreta-
tfons of rights and demands were SO
clearly conveyed by the international
Committee that all Red Cross socfe
ties were able to proceed with their
tasks without hinderance and without
fear of violating neutrality.