LXXXV
A Greek Red Cross on a field of white should tell any soldier of any country within the treaty that the wearer was his friend and could be trusted; and to any officer of any army that he was legitimately there, and not subject to capture.Clara Barton.
This is what the Red Cross means, not an order of knighthood, not a commandery of it, not a secret society, not a society at all by itself, but the powerful, peaceful sign and the reducing to practical usefulness of one of the broadest and most needed humanities the world has ever known.Clara Barton.
I hope that all the patriotic and humane men, women and children of the United States who are able to do so, will give it (the Red Cross) their support by becoming members of our national organization.Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt.
I hereby commend the plan of the Red Cross to secure a large membership in this country. I hope the American people will prove as patriotic in this respect as are the people of other nations, so that we may be as well prepared as they to render relief in the misfortune of war or to mitigate the suffering caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, mine explosions and other great disasters.
Ex-President W. H. Taft.
Ex-President W. H. Taft.
Ex-President W. H. Taft.
Ex-President W. H. Taft.
A large, well-organized and efficient Red Cross is essential. It is both a patriotic and humane service that is rendered by every citizen who becomes a member of the American Red Cross.
Ex-President Woodrow Wilson.
Ex-President Woodrow Wilson.
Ex-President Woodrow Wilson.
Ex-President Woodrow Wilson.
I perceive that in creating an institution that shall be National and of the people the foundations must be as broad and as solid as the whole nation.Clara Barton.
The Red Cross has become well known and well beloved. Of all the great humanitarian institutions of this country the Red Cross is surely among the greatest.Clara Barton.
Though we may leave our task unaccomplished, the task may be glorious in design if not in completion, and speak of us sincerely and with more fitting substance than words could ever compass or suggest.Clara Barton.
The Red Cross is the Big Brother of the Fighting Man.
General Leonard Wood.
General Leonard Wood.
General Leonard Wood.
General Leonard Wood.
The Red Cross is the most generally recognized humanitarian movement in the known world.Clara Barton.
The Red Cross has awakened the senses, and attuned the public ear to the cry of distress wherever emanating.Clara Barton.
The Treaty of Geneva takes its powers from the common consent of the United Governments of the civilized world.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Human intelligence has devised the provisions of the Red Cross, and it is peculiarly adapted to popular favor.Clara Barton.
It is probable that no sign nor figure in the secular world is sacred to so many people as is the Red Cross of Geneva.Clara Barton.
The insignia, which has given its name to the Treaty of Geneva, has become universally known and respected.Clara Barton.
The Red Cross never leads, but follows, in all military matters.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
The Red Cross has given rise to most valuable inventions and, under its humane impulses, sanitary science has made rapid progress.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Inspired by the love of humanity and the world-wide motto of the Red Cross: “In time of peace and prosperity, prepare for war and calamity.”Clara Barton.
©Clinedinst, Washington, D. C.AMBASSADOR BAKHMETEFFThe veneration in which Russians of every class hold the name of Clara Barton.—Russian Ambassador Boris Bakhmeteff(in Boston in 1917).The Ambassador requested me to transmit to you the expression of every loyal Russian appreciation for the splendid work done by the American Red Cross during the last war, and especially for its assistance to the needy in Russia.—G. Gagarine, First Secretary to the Embassy (in Washington in 1920).
©Clinedinst, Washington, D. C.AMBASSADOR BAKHMETEFFThe veneration in which Russians of every class hold the name of Clara Barton.—Russian Ambassador Boris Bakhmeteff(in Boston in 1917).The Ambassador requested me to transmit to you the expression of every loyal Russian appreciation for the splendid work done by the American Red Cross during the last war, and especially for its assistance to the needy in Russia.—G. Gagarine, First Secretary to the Embassy (in Washington in 1920).
©Clinedinst, Washington, D. C.AMBASSADOR BAKHMETEFFThe veneration in which Russians of every class hold the name of Clara Barton.—Russian Ambassador Boris Bakhmeteff(in Boston in 1917).The Ambassador requested me to transmit to you the expression of every loyal Russian appreciation for the splendid work done by the American Red Cross during the last war, and especially for its assistance to the needy in Russia.—G. Gagarine, First Secretary to the Embassy (in Washington in 1920).
Some forty nations are in the Red Cross treaty, and from every military hospital in every one of these nations floats the same flag.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Of all existing organizations, there is possibly not one that has causes for sentiment of higher devotion and more prayerful gratitude than the Red Cross, which owes its very life to pity and help for the woes of the world.Clara Barton.
The Red Cross means not national aid for the needs of the people, but the people’s aid for the needs of the nation.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
History records the wonderful achievements of the Red Cross, greatest of relief organizations, though it cannot record the untold suffering which has been averted by it.Clara Barton.
I desire to enroll all to whom this message may come as subscribing, or sustaining, members of the Red Cross; and I wish this idea to spread and grow until it develops into a great National Red Cross movement. Then my hope will be realized. And when the call shall come I can lay the burden of my work tenderly and lovingly into the lap of the whole people, with whom I have labored so many years, and who will keep and cherish it always because it is the sacred cause of humanity they hold.Clara Barton.
In France recently there was found in the mails an unstamped postcard addressed, “Clara Barton, Heaven,” and on the card was written, “You certainly founded a wonderful institution,” and signed “A Soldier.”Press Dispatch.
No country is more liable than our own to great overmastering calamities, various, widespread and terrible.Clara Barton.
Seldom a year passes that the nation, from sea to sea, is not by the shock of some sudden, unforeseen disaster, brought to utter consternation and stands shivering like a ship in a gale, powerless, terrified and despairing.Clara Barton.
Through Clara Barton’s influence the International Congress of Berne adopted the “American Amendment.”
Mary R. Parkman, Author.
Mary R. Parkman, Author.
Mary R. Parkman, Author.
Mary R. Parkman, Author.
Although the original purpose and object of the Red Cross was indeed to heal the wounds and sickness incident to warfare, there will remain the work under the “American Amendment,” in which the Red Cross goes forth to heal other great ills of life.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
The International Treaty of Geneva—Red Cross—dates from August 23rd, 1864. The Red Cross is a Confederation of Societies in different countries for the amelioration of the condition of wounded soldiers in arms, in campaigns on land and sea. The World Society originated with Henri Dunant of Switzerland, after seeing the condition from neglect of the wounded at the battle of Solferino, Italy, on June 24, 1859. Gustave Moynier, also of Switzerland, called a meeting at Geneva, Switzerland, and the organization followed—August 23, 1864.
France was the first nation to adopt the treaty, this being September 23, 1864. The United States was the thirtieth in the list of nations adopting the treaty, this being on March 1, 1882. Up to the present time 49 nations have acceded to the Treaty of Geneva. In this list are the following possessing a National Red Cross Society:
The following are governments that have signed the Geneva convention but have not Red Cross Chapters recognized by the International Committee:
Anticipating the adoption of the treaty by the United States, in July 1881 the American Association of the Red Cross was organized, seventy-five persons present with Clara Barton the President. The United States Senate having acceded to the Treaty of Geneva, its ratification was proclaimed by President Arthur July 26, 1882. This association was incorporated April 17, 1883, under the name American National Red Cross; reincorporated by Act of Congress, the charter signed by President McKinley June 6, 1900. That charter was repealed and a new charter substituted, the same being adopted by an Act of Congress and approved by President Roosevelt January 5, 1905. Under the newcharter the name continued to be The American National Red Cross. Section 4 of this Act was amended by an Act of Congress, and approved by President Taft June 23, 1910. This amendment relates to the collection of moneys by authorized agents, the use of the Red Cross emblem or any other insignia colored, and similar matters. A second amendment was adopted by Congress and approved by the President December 12, 1912, and relates to the time of the annual meeting.
The American National Association of Red Cross (organized in July 1881) was independent of the Treaty of Geneva; it was a private association, but Miss Barton was constantly urging this Government’s adhesion to the Red Cross Treaty of Nations. In compliment to Clara Barton, she was invited to address a meeting at Dansville, New York. As a result there was formed on August 2, 1881, the first local Society of the Red Cross in the United States of America.
In September 1881, the Michigan forest fires occurred. This became the first test of the merits of the Red Cross work in America. Miss Barton was at this time also invited to make an address on this subject to the citizens of Syracuse, New York. A proposition to organize an auxiliary in that city was made at the close of the meeting. The amount there raised for the relief of the Michigan sufferers was $3,807.28, the new Red Cross Auxiliary Society numbering 250 members. This, in brief, is the history of the inception of the Red Cross and the two auxiliaries in America.
ELUTHEROS K. VENIZELOSAlthough I never met Miss Barton, her achievement in establishing the American Red Cross is such as to win for her the lasting gratitude of many millions of people all over the world.Greece, in particular, will never forget the noble work accomplished here by the American Red Cross. Its aid has been invaluable during the world war and I am therefore glad to be given this opportunity to pay this small tribute to the founder and first President of this splendid organization.Elutheros K. Venizelos,The Ex-Premier of Greece.
ELUTHEROS K. VENIZELOSAlthough I never met Miss Barton, her achievement in establishing the American Red Cross is such as to win for her the lasting gratitude of many millions of people all over the world.Greece, in particular, will never forget the noble work accomplished here by the American Red Cross. Its aid has been invaluable during the world war and I am therefore glad to be given this opportunity to pay this small tribute to the founder and first President of this splendid organization.Elutheros K. Venizelos,The Ex-Premier of Greece.
ELUTHEROS K. VENIZELOSAlthough I never met Miss Barton, her achievement in establishing the American Red Cross is such as to win for her the lasting gratitude of many millions of people all over the world.Greece, in particular, will never forget the noble work accomplished here by the American Red Cross. Its aid has been invaluable during the world war and I am therefore glad to be given this opportunity to pay this small tribute to the founder and first President of this splendid organization.Elutheros K. Venizelos,The Ex-Premier of Greece.
Of the Michigan forest fires Clara Barton said: “So sweeping has been the destruction that there is not food enough left in its wake for a rabbit to eat, and indeed there is no rabbit, if there were food.”
In the spring of 1882 for hundreds of miles there overflowed the raging waters of the Mississippi, destroying homes and causing great suffering. Again the new association responded to the cries of distress. While the National Association was in session, devising ways and means for extending relief, a messenger came from the U. S. Senate announcing that the United States had acceded to the Treaty of Geneva. “Through all the past years, during which the Red Cross has sought recognition, protection and cooperation of the Government,” says Clara Barton, “it has been but for one purpose—to be ready.” The relief of suffering in national disasters, hitherto unknown in the history of the world through Miss Barton had become popular among the American people.
The ratifying powers at Berne accepted the National American Red Cross with the proposed Clara Barton amendment, generally known as the American Amendment. The system for relief work in national disasters, made popular in the United States through Clara Barton, was later approved and adopted by the International Red Cross Committee of the Treaty of Geneva. It has therefore become a part of the Red Cross system of all Treaty nations. These nations, representing a population of more than one billion of human beings, or four-fifths of the human race, are now enjoying the beneficence of the constructive genius of Clara Barton.