The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-09-27

war emergencies. One of the most
important acts of the convention was
to declare, concerning the volunteer
societies:
Uniformity Of Emblems.
'They shall wear, in all the coun-
tries, white band around the arm,
with red cross upon it, as a distinc-
tive and uniform badge"
The first Of the new Red Cross so
cieties was organized in December Of
the same year at Wurtemberg. In a
convention at Geneva in 1864 delegates
from IL nations signed a treaty pro-
viding for the neutrality of ambulances
and military hospitals and adopting the
red cross as the emblem and distinc-
tive sign Of the sanitary service. Vir-
tually every civilized nation has since
acceded to it. The Hague peace con-
ference Of 1899 extended its terms to
naval warfare.
Although the convention, of course,
had to be international in nature, the
Red Cross society in each country is
entirely national and independent. 1t
makes its own laws and is directly re-
SpOnsible for the work in its own
country The international committee,
comprising 1S Swiss residents of
Geneva is the official medium Of COM
munication between the national or
CARNATIONS, an important function in
time of war, when it becomes the
neutral channel for relief of prisoners.
When the first convention was called
at Geneva, the United States was in
the throes of Civil war, and the people
Of the North, the recognized govern
ment, were caring for the wounded. 1t
was not until 1869 that the real founda-
lions of the American Red Cross were
laid.
Miss Barton ls Founder.
An American, Miss Clara Barton, in
that year met the founders Of Red
Cross in Geneva and they prevailed
upon her to foster the work in the
United States. She interested Presi.
dent Garfield and James G. Blaine,
then secretary of state. in 1881 and
steps were taken for the United States
to ratify the treaty. In the same year
the "Aemrican Association of the Red
Cross" was organized with Miss Bar
ton as its president. President Gar
field was assassinated, but in 1882
President Arthur signed it and the SEN
ate confirmed it.
The American organization has been
clarified several times. Its charter
now calls for yearly audit of Red
Cross accounts by the War department
and for federal supervision through
official representation on the Red
Cross governing body.
During the World war, the American
Red Cross distinguished itself in a
manner never to be forgotten. It or
ganized and completely equipped "a
base hospitals of 1000 beds each and
each with personnel of 265, for the
army medical corps, and for the navy
seven more. The society spent 49,
100000 on this work. 1t assigned 49,
S77 nurses to active military duty and
equipped 10000 of these for overseas
duty at a cost of 100000. It CO.
operated in health and hospital work
both in this country and abroad. Cam
teen workers served refreshments 49,
100000 times to troops in transit and
15,376,000 times to soldiers in France.
Financial aid was given to the families
of 100000 American soldiers. All In
all. in the years from 1917 to 1928, the
Red Cross spent $163,O0O.O00 on
American soldiers and their families.
In addition. total of nearly $780,.
100000 was spent by the American Red
Cross in bringing relief to suffers in
foreign countries during those years
With Americans leading the work of
the League of Red Cross Societies, the
number of members of the Red Cross
has steadily increased, even through
the depression years, until today there
are in the world 100000 adult mem
bers and an equal number of juniors.
And perhaps no sign is so universally
recognized as the sign Of the Red
Cross.
o Western Newspaper Union.