distinguished herself. Since the Conference of 1863 she had been acting
on the rule of preparation, and now found herself in readiness for all
emergencies. The Central Committee of Berlin was flooded with
contributions from the provincial committees. In the eight provinces of
Prussia 4,000,000 of thalers were collected, and the other states of
Germany were not behind. So munificently did the people bestow their
aid, that large storehouses were provided in Berlin and in the provinces
for its reception, and at the central depot in Berlin two hundred paid
persons, besides a large number of volunteers, and nearly three hundred
ladies and misses were employed in classifying, parceling, packing up,
and dispatching the goods. Special railroad trains carried material to
the points of need. In one train were twenty-six cars laden with 1800 to
2000 cwt. of supplies. Never had private charity, however carefully
directed, been able to accomplish such prodigies of benevolence. It was
now that the beneficence of the Treaty and the excellence of the
organization were manifested. But the committee did not confine itself
to sending supplies for the wounded to the seat of war. It established
and provisioned refreshment stations for the trains, to which those
unable to proceed on the trains to the great hospitals without danger to
life, were admitted, nursed and cared for with the tenderest solicitude
until they were sufficiently recovered to be removed, or death took
them. At the station of Pardubitz from six hundred to eight hundred were
cared for daily for two months, and lodging provided for three hundred
at night. This example suffices to show the extraordinary results of
well-organized plans and concerted action. During the war, the relief
societies had also to contend with the terrible scourge of cholera.
There can be no estimate of the misery assuaged and deaths prevented by
the unselfish zeal and devotion of the wearers of the Red Cross.
In the interval between the wars of 1866 and 1867, and that of 1870-71,
the time had been improved by the societies existing under the Geneva
Treaty, in adding to their resources in every possible manner.
Improvements were made in all articles of sanitary service; excellent
treatises regarding the hygiene of the camp and hospital were widely
circulated; the press had greatly interested itself in the promulgation
of information regarding all matters of interest or instruction
pertaining to sanitary effort, and almost universally lent its powerful
influence to build up the societies. Ten new societies were formed
during this time. In Germany the work of the Red Cross was so thoroughly
organized, that at the first signal from Berlin, committees arrived as
if by magic at all required points, forming a chain which extended over
the whole country, and numbered over two thousand persons. This is more
remarkable since Germany was a neutral power. Constant communication was
kept up between these committees and the central bureau, and the most
perfect order and discipline were maintained. Relief was sent from one
or another of these stations as was needed. The state afforded free
transport, and the voluntary contributions of the people kept up the
supplies of sanitary material, so that there was never any lack or
danger of failure. With the government transports, whether by land or
water, there went always the agents of the Red Cross, protected by their
badges and flag, to wait on the invoices, hasten their progress, see to
their being kept in good order, and properly delivered at their
destination. Depots of supplies were moved from place to place as
exigencies demanded. The greatest care was taken to prevent disorder or
confusion, and the best military circumspection and regularity
prevailed. The great central depot at Berlin comprised seven sections,
viz: Camp material; clothing; dressing, for wounds; surgical apparatus;
medicines and disinfectants; food and tobacco; and hospital furnishings.
Did space allow, it would be desirable to give statistics of the
contributions in money and supplies to this service. Suffice it to say,
the humanity of peoples is far beyond that of governments. Governments
appropriate immense sums to carry on destructive conflicts, but the work
of relief societies the world over, and especially during the war of
1870-71, has shown that the philanthropy of the people equals their
patriotism. The sums given to assuage the miseries of the
Franco-Prussian war were simply fabulous. In 1863, fears were expressed
that there would be difficulty in collecting needful funds and supplies
to carry out the designs of the treaty. These misgivings proved
groundless. After the war of 1870-71, notwithstanding nothing had been
withheld in the way of relief, the societies settled their accounts with
large balances in their treasuries.
In France not nearly so much had been previously done to provide for the
exigencies which fell upon them, but the committee worked with such
vigor and so wrought upon the philanthropy of individuals, that active
measures of relief were instantly taken. Gold and supplies poured into
the hands of the committee at Paris. One month sufficed to organize and
provide seventeen campaign ambulances or field hospitals, which
immediately joined the army and accompanied it through the first period
of the war, or until the battle of Sedan. In Paris ambulances were
stationed at the railroad depots to pick up the wounded, and a bureau of
information was created for soldiers' families. When the siege of Paris
was about to take place, the committee threw, without delay, a
commission into Brussels charged with the direction and help of flying
hospitals. Nine committees were established in the provinces, with power
to act for the Central Committee and to invite the people to help.
Meanwhile the committee in Paris did its utmost to mitigate the distress
that reigned there, and to prepare for the result of the siege. History
has recorded the sufferings, the horrors of misery that accompanied and
followed that siege; but history can never relate what wretchedness was
averted, what agonies were alleviated, what multitudes of lives were
saved, by the presence and effort of the relief societies! What the
state of France must have been without the merciful help of the Red
Cross societies the imagination dare not picture. After the armistice
was signed there were removed from Paris, under the auspices of the
relief societies, ten thousand wounded men, who otherwise must have
lingered in agony, or died from want of care; and there were brought
back by them to French soil nine thousand men who had been cared for in
German hospitals.
HELP FROM NEUTRAL COUNTRIES.
Neutral countries also during this war were ready and bountiful with
help; and those working under the treaty did most effectual service.
England contributed 7,500,000 francs, besides large gifts of sanitary
supplies; in one hundred and eighty-eight days' time she sent to the
seat of war twelve thousand boxes of supplies through the agents of the
Red Cross.
To give an idea of the readiness and efficacy with which the committees
worked even in neutral countries, one instance will suffice. From
Pont-a-Mousson a telegram was sent to London for two hundred and fifty
iron beds for the wounded, and in forty-eight hours they arrived in
answer to the request. England kept also at the seat of war agents to
inform the committee at home of whatever was most needed in supplies.
The neutral countries sent also surgeons, physicians and nurses, and in
many other ways gave practical testimony to the benign efficacy of the
Geneva treaty.
As will be seen by the foregoing pages, the objects and provisions of
the Geneva convention and the societies acting under it, are designed
for, and applicable to, the exigencies of war only. The close contact of
the nations hitherto signing this treaty, renders them far more liable
to the recurrence of war among them than our own, which by its
geographical position and distance from neighboring nations, entertains
a feeling of security which justifies the hope that we may seldom, if
ever again, have occasion to provide for the exigencies of war in our
land.
This leads the American Red Cross to perceive the great wisdom,
foresight and breadth of the resolution adopted by the convention of
1863, which provides that "Committees shall organize in the manner which
shall seem most useful and convenient to themselves;" also in their
article on the organization of societies in these pages occurs the
following: "To be efficient, societies must have government recognition,
must bear the stamp of their national individuality, and be constructed
according to the spirit, habits, and needs of the country they
represent. This is essential to success."
As no work can retain its vitality without constant action, so in a
country like ours, with a people of so active a temperament, an
essential element in endearing to them a work, is to keep constantly
before them its usefulness. With this view the question of meeting the
want heretofore felt on all occasions of public calamity, of sufficient
extent to be deemed of national importance, has received attention at
the hands of this association. For this purpose the necessary steps have
been inaugurated to organize auxiliary societies, prepared to co-operate
with the central association in all plans for prompt relief; whilst the
volunteers who shall render personal aid will be expected to hold
themselves in the same readiness as in the case of an international
call.
It must, however, be distinctly understood that these additional
functions for local purposes shall in no manner impair the international
obligation of the association; but on the contrary it is believed will
render them more effective in time of need.
It may appear singular that a movement so humane in its purposes, so
wise and well considered in its regulations, so universal in its
application, and every way so unexceptional, should have been so long in
finding its way to the knowledge and consideration of the people of the
United States. This fact appears to have been the result of
circumstances rather than intention. While eminently a reading people,
we are almost exclusively confined to the English language. The
literature of the Red Cross is entirely in other languages, largely
French, and thus has failed to meet the eye of the reading public.
It will be observed that the first convention was called during our war;
no delegates were especially sent by the United States, but our Minister
Plenipotentiary to Switzerland, acting as delegate, sent a copy of the
doings of the convention to our government for recognition. In the midst
of civil war as we were at the time the subject was very naturally and
properly declined.
[Illustration: FIRST LETTER FROM M. GUSTAV MOYNIER TO THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, URGING THE ADOPTION OF THE TREATY OF GENEVA.]
It was again most fittingly presented in 1866 through Rev. Dr. Henry W.
Bellows, and by this eminent gentleman and philanthropist a Society of
the Red Cross was actually formed; but for some cause it failed, and the
convention was not recognized. The International Committee became in a
manner discouraged in its efforts with the United States, but finally it
was decided to present it again through Miss Clara Barton, and
accordingly the following letter was addressed to President Hayes during
the first year of his administration:
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
THE RELIEF OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS,
GENEVA, _August 19, 1877_.
_To the President of the United States, at Washington_:
MR. PRESIDENT: The International Committee of the Red Cross desires
most earnestly that the United States should be associated with them
in their work, and they take the liberty of addressing themselves to
you, with the hope that you will second their efforts. In order that
the functions of the National Society of the Red Cross be faithfully
performed, it is indispensable that it should have the sympathy and
protection of the government.
It would be irrational to establish an association upon the
principles of the Convention of Geneva, without the association
having the assurance that the army of its own country, of which it
should be an auxiliary, would be guided, should the case occur, by
the same principles. It would consequently be useless for us to
appeal to the people of the country, inasmuch as the United States,
as a government, has made no declaration of adhering officially to
the principles laid down by the convention of the twenty-second
August, 1864.
Such is then, Mr. President, the principal object of the present
request. We do not doubt but this will meet with a favorable
reception from you, for the United States is in advance of Europe
upon the subject of war, and the celebrated "Instructions of the
American Army" are a monument which does honor to the United States.
You are aware, Mr. President, that the Government of the United
States was officially represented at the Convention of Geneva, in
1864, by two delegates, and this mark of approbation given to the
work which was being accomplished was then considered by every one
as a precursor of a legal ratification. Until the present time,
however, this confirmation has not taken place, and we think that
this formality, which would have no other bearing than to express
publicly the acquiescence of the United States in those humanitarian
principles now admitted by all civilized people, has only been
retarded because the occasion has not offered itself. We flatter
ourselves with the hope that, appealing directly to your generous
sentiments, will determine you to take the necessary measures to put
an end to a situation so much to be regretted. We only wait such
good news, Mr. President, in order to urge the founding of an
American Society of the Red Cross.
We have already an able and devoted assistant in Miss Clara Barton,
to whom we confide the care of handing to you this present request.
It would be very desirable that the projected asseveration should be
under your distinguished patronage, and we hope that you will not
refuse us this favor.
Receive, Mr. President, the assurance of our highest consideration.
For the International Committee:
G. MOYNIER, _President_.
[Illustration: AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT BY PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON.
Will the Secy
of State please
hear Miss Barton
on the subject
herein referred
to
J.A. Garfield
March 30, 1881.]
This letter was sent to Miss Barton, who, having labored with committees
of the Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian war, thus becoming familiar
with its methods, was very naturally selected as the bearer of the
letter, and the exponent of the cause. Moreover, foreign nations had
secured her promise to present it to the government on her return to her
country and endeavor to make its principles understood among the people.
Accordingly the letter was presented by Miss Barton to President Hayes
and by him referred to his Secretary of State, but as no action was
taken, and no promise of any action given, it was not deemed advisable
to proceed to the organization of societies formed with special
reference to acting under the regulations of a governmental treaty
having no present existence, and no guaranty of any in the future.
Thus it remained until the incoming of the administration of President
Garfield when a copy of the letter of Mr. Moynier was presented by Miss
Barton to President Garfield, very cordially received by him, and
endorsed to Secretary Blaine; from whom after full consideration of the
subject the following letter was received:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, _May 20, 1881_.
MISS CLARA BARTON, _American Representative of the Red Cross, etc.,
Washington_:
DEAR MADAM: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
letter addressed by Mr. Moynier, President of the Red Cross
International Convention, to the President of the United States,
bearing the date of the nineteenth August, 1877, and referred by
President Garfield on the thirtieth March, 1881, to this
department.
It appears, from a careful perusal of the letter, that Mr. Moynier
is anxious that the Government of the United States should join with
other governments of the world in this International Convention.
Will you be pleased to say to Mr. Moynier, in reply to his letter,
that the President of the United States, and the officers of this
government, are in full sympathy with any wise measures tending
toward the amelioration of the suffering incident to warfare. The
constitution of the United States has, however, lodged the entire
war-making power in the Congress of the United States; and, as the
participation of the United States in an International Convention of
this character is consequent upon and auxiliary to the war-making
power of the nation, legislation by Congress is needful to
accomplish the humane end that your society has in view. It gives
me, however, great pleasure to state that I shall be happy to give
any measures which you may propose careful attention and
consideration, and should the President, as I doubt not he will,
approve of the matter, the administration will recommend to Congress
the adoption of the international treaty which you desire.
I am, madam, with very great respect, your obedient servant,
JAMES G. BLAINE.
On the twenty-fifth of June the following letter from Mr. Moynier,
president of the International Committee of Geneva, in reply to the
preceding letter of Secretary Blaine, was received by Miss Barton, and
duly presented at the State department:
GENEVA, _June 13, 1881_.
To the Honorable Secretary of State, JAMES G. BLAINE, _Washington_:
SIR: Miss Clara Barton has just communicated to me the letter which
she has had the honor to receive from you, bearing date of May 20,
1881, and I hasten to express to you how much satisfaction I have
experienced from it. I do not doubt now, thanks to your favorable
consideration and that of President Garfield, that the United States
may soon be counted among the number of signers of the Geneva
Convention, since you have been kind enough to allow me to hope that
the proposition for it will be made to Congress by the
administration.
I thank you, as well as President Garfield, for having been willing
to take into serious consideration the wish contained in my letter
of August 19, 1877, assuredly a very natural wish, since it tended
to unite your country with a work of humanity and civilization for
which it is one of the best qualified.
Since my letter of 1877 was written, several new governmental
adhesions have been given to the Geneva Convention, and I think that
these precedents will be much more encouraging to the United States
from the fact that they have been given by America. It was under the
influence of events of the recent war of the Pacific that Bolivia
signed the treaty the 16th of October, 1879, Chili on the 15th of
November, 1879, Argentine Republic on the 25th of November, 1879,
and Peru on the 22d of April, 1881. This argument in favor of the
adhesion of your country is the only one I can add to my request,
and to the printed documents that Miss Barton has placed in your
hands, to aid your judgment and that of Congress.
I now await with full confidence the final result of your
sympathetic efforts, and I beg you to accept, sir, the assurance of
my high consideration.
G. MOYNIER, _President_.
[Illustration: SOME OF THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN
NATIONAL RED CROSS.]
[Illustration: A GROUP OF AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS MEMBERS.]
The very cordial and frank expressions of sympathy contained
in Secretary Blaine's letter gave assurance of the acceptance of the
terms of the treaty by the government at no distant day, and warranted
the formation of societies. Accordingly a meeting was held in
Washington, D.C., May 21, 1881, which resulted in the formation
of an association to be known as the American [National] Association
of the Red Cross. A constitution was adopted, a copy of which follows:
CONSTITUTION.
_Name, Location._
ARTICLE 1. This Association shall be known as the American Association
of the Red Cross, with its office located at Washington, D.C., and shall
consist of the subscribers hereunto, and such other persons as shall
hereafter be elected to membership; and it shall constitute a Central
National Association with power to organize state and territorial
associations auxiliary to itself.
_Objects of Association._
ART. 2. The objects of the National Association are,
_First_, To secure the adoption by the Government of the United States
of the Treaty of August 22, 1864.
_Second_, To obtain recognition by the Government of the United States,
and to hold itself in readiness for communicating therewith at all
times, to the end that its purposes may be more widely and effectually
carried out.
_Third_, To organize a system of national relief and apply the same in
mitigating the sufferings caused by war, pestilence, famine and other
calamities.
_Fourth_, To collect and diffuse information touching the progress of
mercy, the organization of national relief, the advancement of sanitary
science and hospital service, and their application.
_Fifth_, To co-operate with all other national societies, for the
furtherance of the articles herein set forth, in such ways as are
provided by the regulations governing such co-operation.
_Duties._
ART. 3. This association shall hold itself in readiness in the event of
war or any calamity great enough to be considered national, to
inaugurate such practical measures, in mitigation of the suffering and
for the protection and relief of sick and wounded, as may be consistent
with the objects of the association as indicated in Article 2.
_Officers._
ART. 4. The officers of this association shall consist of a president;
first vice-president; other vice-presidents, not to exceed one from each
State, Territory, and the District of Columbia; a secretary; treasurer;
an executive board; a board for consultation, which shall consist of the
following officers of the United States Government, viz: The President
and his cabinet: General of the Army; Surgeon General; Adjutant General,
and Judge Advocate General, and such other officers as may hereafter be
deemed necessary.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE RED CROSS.
ORIGINAL INCORPORATION.
The undersigned, all of whom are citizens of the United States of
America, and a majority of whom are citizens of the District of
Columbia, desirous of forming an association for benevolent and
charitable purposes to co-operate with the Comité International de
Secours aux Militaires Blessés of Geneva, Switzerland, do, in pursuance
of sections 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550 and 551 of the Revised Statutes
of the United States, relating to the District of Columbia, make, sign
and acknowledge these:
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.
1.
The name of this association shall be the American Association of the
Red Cross.
2.
The term of its existence shall be for twenty (20) years.
3.
The objects of this association shall be:
1st. To secure by the United States the adoption of the treaty of August
22, 1864, between Italy, Baden, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Spain,
Portugal, France, Prussia, Saxony, Wurtemberg, and the Federal Council
of Switzerland.
2d. To obtain recognition by the Government of the United States, and to
hold itself in readiness for communicating therewith at all times, to
the end that its purposes may be more wisely and effectually carried
out.
3d. To organize a system of national relief and apply the same in
mitigating the sufferings caused by war, pestilence, famine and other
calamities.
4th. To collect and diffuse information touching the progress of mercy,
the organization of national relief, the advancement of sanitary
science, and their application.
5th. To co-operate with all other similar national societies for the
furtherance of the articles herein set forth, in such ways as are
provided by the regulations governing such co-operation.
4.
The number of this association, to be styled the "Executive Board," for
the first year of its existence, shall be eleven (11).
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals at the city
of Washington this first day of July, A.D. 1881.
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
_The proceedings of this Conference and what led up to it we learn
chiefly from the historical report of the Conference by Mr.
Gustav Moynier and Dr. Louis Appia, of the International
Committee of the Red Cross. It was the work of this Conference
that laid the foundation for the Treaty of Geneva, adopted in the
following year._