Evening star., 1928-05-08
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

skillful, decided. previously trained r.
act with order and harmony, the only
means OF preventing the accidents
which complicate the wounds and make
them mortal II Is not the paid
employe. whom disgust drives avay.
whom fatigue makes unfeeling. unsyrr-
pathetic and lazy, who can fulfll sIcn
noble task. Immediate help is need
ed, for that which can today save the
wounded will not save him tomorrow:
the loss OF time causes .gangrene. which
leads to death. One must have volun-
teer nurses. previously trained, accus-
toned to work. officially recognized by
the commanding oficers Of the armies.
so that they may be facilitated In their
mission. These nurses should not only
md their place on the battlefield, but
also In the hospitals, where the lonr
weeks pass away painfully for the
wounded. without family ard without
friends"
Dunants appeal. In his book, Pc
suited In Q conference at Geneva. In
1853, with 1s states represented. A
diplomatic convention. also In Geneva.
was held IN 1854. but although the
United States had two representatives
there. this country did not adhere 70
the project then-in the height Of cur
Civil War.
In 1881. President Arthur signed the
treaty. and now the United States has
the largest membership Of any country
in the world-4.000,00 900 memhert-
Japan coming next and Germany
third. In the SIS nations, there are
now 0,000. 900 members.
The President Of the United States
Is always honorary president Of the
American Red Gross Society. Former
President Taft is actively and ofiiciaIiy
interested in the society, and judge
John Barton Payne Is chairman. In
direct control of operations. ably sec
onded by Miss Mabel Boardman and
a thoroughly organized staff of paid
experts. All the chief oficials give
their time without salaries and pay
their own expenses OF travel.
Following the World War. Henry P
Dawson. chairman Of the War Council
of the American Red Cross, was instru-
mental In the creation OF the League Of
Red Cross Societies. with headquarters
In Paris, France. devoted 70 improving
world health and To carrying on peace
time activities among the Red Gross
societies OF al nations. John Barton
PAYNE, chairman OF the American Red
Cross. Is chairman OF the board Of
governors Of the League.
Dunant died in Heiden. Switzerland.
in 1910 at the age OF 81 years. He
spent his declining years in Ssclusion.
and was only brought again to the at
tention of the world when. In 1907. he
was awarded one-hRh Of the hrst
Nobel peace prize
He had devoted his fortune and ell
OF his younger years "a the work Of
the Red Gross. and had remained un-
married. The only tablet marking his
memory Is 4 slab under the window
al the room in the little Sanitariunn IN
Heiden. where he lived the last 80
years OF his life.
But the Red Cross Of the world IL
his lasting memorial Hats on salute
that fiag OF mercy and relief White
mas Of mercy and Red Cross OF Saeri-
ace!
In later years the American RED
Cross has hroadened It's activities IN
peace times oreaniEing the entire coun-
Try to meet great diSasterS--noodS, ares
and epidemieS.
II looks after the veterans OF the
World War, OF whom there are stln
more than $4,000 patients in hospitals.
besides many more thousands Strug-
CLING along at their homes. Its special
service to the World War veterans lies
In aiding them 10 set their legal FightS
10 compensation. as provided BY Law,
and In assisting them and their fam
lilies, everywhere. as needed. last wear
they 80 aided more than $4,000 cases
In nine years after the armiStsce the
society has thus distributed veteran re.
lief at cost of more than SSs, ,O0N, ,0Nn
the rate Of sa,0O0 a year the pANStuk
years bring an increase ot patients. dus
to breakdown from disabilities lRSt
year the Veterans Bureau haspitals
had more than 5000 patents who has
never before asked disqualification since
the organization of the Veterans m.
Feau, The aid fgom the Red CrNSx -
veterans has increased 90 per gessf
the last four wears, Hats on tO Dur
salute our A,o0o00e American Dun
Incredible as il may he, there va
strong protest hy paeinSlS againSt en-.
coIlragtng the formation OF RED creNs
aids 90 the disabled, en- the gfound that
they would take away some et the nor.
rorS Of war. and thereby "eneouraee
war" They wished increase OF torture,
So they ehiected 20 the TecCgnilicn ol
Dunant hy the award OF half Nf a Nchel
prise The man had devoted ali hts
own fortune to propagation al his plan
0t mercy and relief, and ne was Spena-
ms his old age IN q charity SAniearium
IN switzerland, IN dire poverty. Rug
relief came at last when his eandisian
was discovered, AS stated IN the preface
Nf his hook~~a preface written hy
famous Russian author,
Wis glory has grown each wear Ia
plupol tien to all the leSSeninx az sus~
tettne which his work has aceomrlish~
ed, O. ell the lives which Il savas. ans
% All the selt-devcticn 10 whieh il Elves
birth