CLARA BARTON SPEECHES & WRITINGS FILE Books The Red Cross Transcript & typescript drafts [*THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PHOTO DUPLICATION SERVICE Washington, D.C. 20540 000001first line p.45) formulate? a treaty p 46 - chronological order of list - they are mixed - on this page p 47 - Additional [countries?] Where can we find them p 48. [in no way] p 51. Last March in March 1881? p 53 and [woucies?] sign of the [ordinary?] p 57 is gone altogether p 65 comité sc - ought this to be printed - p. 72. The big letters are not part of the letter - It was more a letterhead [probably] - p 75 steps by which the movement became a treaty. substitute "movement' for "it" p 76 - strike out 1896- It was at Atlanta at their Exhibition in 1895 - p 79 through which all [Why should the National Red Cross have the Exclusive Right to use it? the name & sign of the Red Cross. Because by the scheme of International Relief sick and wounded soldiers provided [for] by that treaty one and only one Society or Central Committee was [authorized] [to be recognized]to be recognized [must be recognized] as supreme over all persons and things in [relating?] [organic?] to volunteer by each government and by another International Committee as entitled [to be recognized] to control all volunteer aid to its army in time of war The American National Red Cross has been and is recognized by our government as that Society [that] which shall have control of all [free] volunteer[s] assistants and through whom alone gratuitous supplies [given] [to] in aid of sick and wounded soldiers must be furnished and to be the sole means of communication between the international society and of our government with the people in [regard] all matters relating to volunteer Relief to the army- [*persons and things in [regard]relating to volunteer [aid] relief to the army*] Why should the National Red Cross now have the exclusive Right to use the name and sign of the Red Cross? Because the treaty of Geneva and our Government have both given it that Exclusive right. Why then are other persons [allowed to use] now using - them? Because the right now rests only on [a] moral [right] grounds and [right by] on considerations of high public policy - and [had] its abuse has not yet been made a misdemeanor by the penal law- [Why not]? Why not then have this Exclusive right [it so] declared to rest on considerations of high [it] applied public policy by the Supreme Court and a penalty be provided as at common law - without waiting for a penal law to be passed by Congress -] [* and an adverse decision would be injurious*] Because the expense [is] would be great and the conclusion is not so sure - as we believe it will be in the next Congress. Why not then have this in a matter exclusive right declared and upheld by the Supreme Court [and] by a penalty provided as at Common law Because the expense would be great - and the decision not quite sureName Shirt Headings How about headings for title of Book and Chapter Head THE RED CROSS In THE AMERICAN. number of natins page 23 can we deternine (page 24) about "10 govmnts 25 committes" page 30 - (each?) page 38. (Article 4) [we "quote" from] (we quote) p 38. [we compile] [The proceedings of this conference we learn chiefly from the historical report of it] The proceedings of this conference and what led up to it we learn chiefly from the historical report of it - p (39) (reinforcement?) p 42 - (art 2) (will?) p 44 - (B-) should? for may p " been preorganized omit (over) Argentine Republic 25 November 1879 Austria 21 July 1866 Baden 16 Dec 1864 Bolivia 16 Octobr 1879 Bavaria 30 June 1866 Bolivia 16 Octo 1879 Bulgaria 1 March 1884 Chili 15 November 1879 Congo [???] State Denmark 15 December 1864 Great Britain 18 February 1865 Greece 17 January 1865 Hesse Daunstaadt 22 June 1866 Honduras 16 May 1898 Hungary 4 Dec 1866 Italy 5 June 1886 Japan Luxemburg 5 October 1888 Mecklenburg Ichiverin 9 March 1865 Monte negro 29 November 1875 Netherlands 29 November 1864 Norway 13 December 1864 Persia 5 December 1874 Peru 22 April 1880 Portugal 9 August 1866 Russia 4 January 1865 Rome 9 May 1868 Romania 30 November 1874 Russia 22 May 1867 Salvador 30 December 1874 Saxony 25 October 1866 Servia 24 March 1876 Sweden 13 December 1864 South African Republic 30 September 1896 Siam 29 June 1895 Switzerland 1 October 1864 Spain 5 December 1864 Turkey 5 July 1865 United States 1 March 1882 Venizuela ---- Wurtenburg 2 June 1864 41 Nations [France Belgum] Index 1 [This seemed to be received with satisfaction by all] Index Page Introduction [page 17] [page] 17 Beginning [of History] of History ["21] " 21 Organization and method of work " 25 Occupations of Relief Societies in time of peace " 27 services in time of war " 28 Action of Neutral Countries in time of peace " 32 Letter of M. Gustav Moynier [35] to [Clara Barton] the President of the United States " 34 " " M Gustav Moynier to } [Miss] Clara Barton } " 35 " Hon James G. Blaine Secretary of State to Clara Barton " 35 " " Gustav Moynier to Hon. James G. Blaine Secretary Secretary of State " 36 First Constitution of the American National Association [of the Red] of the Red Cross " 38 Articles of Incorporation of The American National Association of the Red Cross " 39 The First International Conference " 40 The General [Provisions] Propositions of the Conference 43 Index 2 Page Special provisions in case of war [page] 41 Resolutions of the Conference " 41 International Red Cross Treaty " 47 of August 22 1864 Governments adopting the Treaty and the date of the accession of Each 48 Address by Miss Clara Barton to the President Congress and people of The United States - 1881 50 Action of the Government of The United States 62 Resolution of Hon. Omar D. Conger 63 May 17 1881 message of President Arthur} transmitting to the Senate Report} of the Secretary of state Mr Blaine with} accompanying documents} 63 "Additional Articles" concerning the Red Cross for the Navy 64 The International Bulletin on The Geneva Convention in the United States 67 Accession of the United States to the Treaty of Geneva and to the "Aditional Articles" 70 Letter of M Gustav Moynier President of the International Committee March 24 1882 71Index 3 Proclamation of the President of the United States announcing the accession of the United States to the Treaty of Geneva [page] Page 73 The International Bulletin on the Adhesion of the United States to the Convention of Geneva " 75 April 1882. Comment on This action of the Government 75. Thanks expressed to all who had favored the long delayed Measure 76. Lively satisfaction of affiliated Societies all over the world and the International Committee 78 Letter of M. Gustavo Moynier to Clara Barton Sept 6 1882 congratulating her on the adhesion of the United States 78. Fiftieth Circular of the Inter national Committee to the Presidents and Members of the National Central Committees 79 Request of the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations of the Senate 81 for a History of the Red Cross Index - 4 The special purpose of the organization [Invitation to] "Relief in war" misunderstood [page] Page 81. The scope of the organization misunderstood " 81 Address of Miss Barton on The significance of the Red Cross in Its relations to Philanthropy - 1895 " 82 [1895] The Re-Incorporation of the American National Red Cross .85Conclusion. In the foregoing pages The [Red] American National Red Cross has [We have] thus hastily traced [the] history the history of [in the foregoing] pages [the History of the American National Red Cross in] of its [career] work in peace and in war. We have seen it grow year by year, from the persistent almost unaccountable rejection of the treaty of Geneva by the Executive Department of our Government for Eighteen years. We have we have seen it Beginning in the cordial recognition of Blaine and Garfield [and Arthur] gradually increasing in the amount and scope of its labors, growing in the slowly gained influence and support in the public confidence to its present condition of general recognition in all parts of our own country and in [it] the pleasant remembrance and warm appreciation of all the Nations that have acceded to the [Red] Treaty of the Red Cross - the Treaty of Geneva. There is, we are happy to believe and to assure our readers every where, a warmth [of] and an enthusiastic ?appreciation of the American National Red Cross that brings added honor to the country; [and] that every where recommends the principles and the practices for which [of the] [Red Cross] its sacred symbol stands- [Every where]. So that no American citizen will hereafter traverse foreign lands any less securely [because] since the American National Red Cross has been before him in Russia and in Armenia and in the high Conferences where the treaty nations [pom] Conclusion \ 2 by their representatives from time to time assemble. We believe it is founded in the soundest and [the] noblest principles [and] in [the] the deep[est] needs of human nature and in the [most] enduring instincts and feelings of [the] mankind. We believe it has come [as] to quicken into fresh new growth the best things not only in the Christian life but in [the] all human life. Like the Banyan tree wherever [it] an auxiliary [a] branch exists it will so [is] drop[s] roots into human character and life that it will make[s] it [like] a parent trunk in [trunk] turn to send [?] out influences that shall bring other affiliating branches so that it shall at last cover the Earth with its grateful shade. beneath which [War itself shall cease] the tramp of armed men shall cease and the battle flags be furled- Then the "American Amendment" will [occupy] remain to show that although the original purpose and object of the Red Cross was indeed to heal the wounds and sickness incident to warfare that the same spirit which seeks without hesitation or controversy or any question whatever to do this primary work is identical with that which [seeks] goes forth to seek and to save all who suffer from any of the greater ills of life.conclusion - 8 The future of the Red Cross, [then] then will [then] be [worthy of its origin, worthy] worthy of the labors and sacrifices [ in which the the toils] in which it originated, worthy of the care and tender solicitude with which its growth and progress has been watched and tended. Into the hands of the com[m]ing generations it will be given as the best legacy [we know how to bestow upon help the All Father to to help bestow upon them] that the All Father has at any time given to his children - the spirit and the power symbolized and consecrated forever [anew] by the cross of Geneva, the [the same in spirit of older] cross of Calvary - [*Elwell*] 1 A few days experiance of Red Cross work at Siboney Cuba The few days experience of which I will call attention beginning July 6th is a fair sample of "Red Cross" work at Siboney. A few hours sleep - more or less, lost during active operations when battles are being fought amounts to very little. For several days previous Mr Warner & myself had been working continuously almost night & day landing through the foaming surf, medical stores for the hospitals of Siboney & vacinity, and Jerked Beef, Rice, Beens, Hard tack &c. for the army of starving refugees who were constantly surging in on the hospital camp. At the point of the bayonet all were ordered to Fermiza a mining village of the Juroqua Iron Co.2 From the evening of July 1st when the wounded began to come in from the front until July 6th where I begin my narrative, hundreds of wounded were constantly coming in from the front and as the hospital supplies proved absolutely inadequate the stores of the state of Texas [was] were compelled to fill the deficiency. Being constantly in Siboney & on the beach I had the opportunity of seeing [most] the majority of the wounded men when they first arrived from the front. For the first 12 hours most of the boys were wounded in the right arm x The second day many arrived with wounds in head body & arms x Afterwards [?] [of] the wounds were so grave [?] it was impossible to walk and [?] ambulances and army wagons were employed. On the second I came across a captain who had walked in from the front & who managed by the aid of a comrad to struggle within 500 yards of the wharf when he fainted & dropped down in the sand x I happened to be passing by, & so hunted up a stretcher & assisted by three [of ship men] of my men [?] carried him to a tent on 3 the beach. After bathing his head & having his wounds dressed he [came to] regained consciousness & felt very comfortable. He said he lost his company for more than two hours x Finally he came up with p[?] of it & rushed forward. x At this moment he received 3 shots almost simultaneously one grazed his head, another went through his arm, & the third made an ugly flesh wound in his leg. x He was unconscious for awhile but when he [?] regained [? ] consciousness concluded he could walk back to Siboney. He was as brave as a lion & laughed at his misfortune x During all this time in spite of hardships, hardly a murmer was heard from the boys x They were short of almost everything but they seemed to take it as a matter of course x I will cite right here another instance which shows the manly bravery of a Rough Rider Chaplain[8] 4 [myself with a sponge bath & turned into my comfortable state bunk on its state of Texas.] During the night [between times] when our pontoon was loading at the ships side we were [constantly] carrying out to hospital ship the poor wounded fellows who had straggled in from the front, many of them officers They naturally headed for the beach thinking that they could get relief aboard Hospital ships. Some time past mid-night I do not remember the hour. I was touched on the arm by a young man. He saw the Red Cross on my arm & thought I was a surgeon. Dr he said for gods sake cant you do something for our Chaplain. I think he is dieing. I went with him & found uncommon a splendid looking young man Captain of the Rough Armies with his head in the sand A shell had taken a slice out the side of his head. which was rudely tied up with a bandage He was wounded in his arm & in his side 5 [9] He had walked in from the front I called a couple of my [soldiers] men who were [standing] nearby & with Mr Warner we prepared to carry him to the boat. Upon being arroused he came too, straightened up & said, "Thank you boys where am I.," I am all right," then he immediately went out of his head again When on his feet his legs seemed all right & we helped him down to the boat There was a heavy swell comeing in & it was very difficult to get him aboard. So I got into the boat & prepared to catch him while the boat was on the crest of the swell By this time he had regained consciousness again & forgetting how weak he was, [he] tried to step in, & virtually fell into my arms in a faint. When he came to his senses again he was delirious & I had all I could do 6 to hold him. The boys were getting 4 or 5 other wounded fellows into the boat but none of them in as bad condition as our Chaplain. It took all my strength to hold him & he kept saying "I'm all right"--"don't bother with me"-- "let me help them." When we arrived at the hospital ships side & [we] had gottin him aboard I had not a dry thriad on me was simply drenched. with presperation. I failed to get the Chaplains name & he will never know who helped him. I hope he recovered. & I believe he did. He was too noble & brave to die. 7 July 6 by doggedly sticking to it for several hours in a pouring rain I succeeded in getting an Engine & 3 cars for Firmiza. First I serched for the Captain in charge who the day previous had kindly assisted me in procuring 2 cars for the same purpose. He had moved his headquarters somewhere else. Finally I came a[c]cross him & was informed another Captain had been appointed in charge of transportation. After awhile he was found and promptly & cheerfully granted my request He sent his sargent with me to give the order. The Engine was standing on the track with steam up ready to start. When the order was given the Engineer warmly remarked 8 [2] [warmly remarked] "Not by a - sight." "I am taking orders from Col so & so of the Engineers Dept. I never have been informed that Capt___ has any thing to do with this train". Myself & the sargent earnestly told him that the officers had been changed early this morning. The Engineer turned to his fireman said "well Jack I don't know what in ___ to do I supposed I was to obey the orders of Col ___ but it seems a Capt I never heard of is in charge now." Then turning to me he said, "Mr. Elwell if the 'Red Cross' will stand by me I'll take the risk. I was at Firmeza yesterday & I just know them poor devils are starving plum to death." To make a pretty sure proposition surer, I stepped aboard the engine & had its cars backed down to the beach. The pouring rain was too much for my gang of 50 Cuban soldiers & they had crept away under the tarpaulins. After rushing about for 15 minutes I got them together. The cars were loaded immediately & hauled to the mountain village of Firmeza arriving there at sundown. The supplies were prepared and ready for distribution that night & the next day to 5000 people. Some of whom were from the best families of Santiago. One gentleman a cashier in a Stgo Bank who with his large family had just arrived said they had not had a morsel of food that day & not an ounce could be found in the village." The two car loads previously sent having been exhausted. After the stuff was distributed I walked to Siboney about 4 miles by the trail. (9) [3] The evening of July 6 our faithful "mambize" boatmen headed by Jon a stalwart faithful Nassau darkey sculled our borrowed pontoon alongside the State of Texas, dropped her astern & made her fast with a strong line. that we might be ready to begin at dawn. At 4 a.m. we were "up & at it." Mr. Warner in the pontoon, Dr. [Hubbell] & myself in the hold digging out stores by the light of lanterns. The State of Texas' cargo was supposed to have been discharged at a wharf, and consequently some of the stores we needed were not easy to find. It is needless to remark that the second hold of an ocean steamer, in the tropics is not as cool as an ice chest. Mr. Warner "Captain of the Pontoons," had been a Sea Captain. & knew exactly how to handle a pontoon. He would row her so near the beach that it seemed certain a wreck must occur. At exactly the right moment "Jon" would let go the anchor & partly as a good example to his men, & more because it was necessary he would jump into the water shoulder deep & in American Spanish would direct that the stern was far enough, in & not too far too smash the bottom out. On the beach, with my dusky gang & with the energy of desperation I incited them by, "all that was holy" &c, to get that stuff ashore without wetting it, 50 naked Cubans, soon discharge a pontoon. although 250 lb sacks of rice appear heavy.10 under such circumstances. By 10 A.M. we were compelled to knock off because of the heavy sea. The government lost two handsome yawl boats that morning within 20 yards of us. Although at Siboney & Firmeza there were 6 or 7 thousand refugees, at Caney & other small villages near Santiago, twenty five or thirty thousand poor wretches on the verge of starvation were calling on the Red Cross for relief. Up to this time, every available mule, horse, or man, that could be had at any price had been pressed into service General Castillo furnished a small Cuban pack train & the government a few army wagons. But the roads were so bad a six mule team could haul but a small load. Miss Barton asked me to go to Caney & arrange for the distribution. At 10:30 I mounted a little Cuban pony loaned to me by a Cuban Colonel. Poor little horse he did not look much heavier than myself. At every viscious looking mudhole I dismounted & led him through. Up & down steep hills I also led him. When he sighted a decent stretch of road he would prick up his ears & make time. [To Carney of near Siboney by the trail I took] is 16 or 17 miles. It passes Guasamia, where Capt Capron was killed, winds through the Canon through which the U.S. Artillery was dragged & 5 where most of our army passed on its way to the front. Over the rough Rider Battleground of Sevilla heights beyond which Cols Wood & Roosevelt had their camp. Past General Schafter's headquarters & the hospitals on the firing line. nearly to the trenches of San Juan hill. Then it turns to the right up a canon crossing & recrossing a little stream. The mud rendered bottomless by the traffic concentrated there. It twists & turns & tacks but at last reaches Caney. Throughout the entire distance from Caney to Siboney I met hundreds of refugees mostly women children & infirm old men. Some of them knew me, as I have lived in Santiago for years. To each of these I gave a hard tack. Luckily I filled my pockets before starting, for my lunch. I was met in Caney by Mr. Frederick Ramsden the English Consul at Santiago his wife & son Wm Mr. Bangs a Red Cross worker had been there for some days & was nearly exausted by constant work. Poor man, his zeal cost him his life. He died shortly afterward. A committee had been previously formed, which was reorganized, with Wm Ramsden at its head. Mr. Ramsden worked like a Trojan & as the Cubans say "God will reward him." Late in the afternoon I mounted my faithful little horse for our return trip over[under such circumstances] 19 dusk arrived at the Red Cross hospital near Genl Shafters headquarters,. Mrs. and Doctor Gardner in charge of [the Red Cross camp of] insisted on my taking a cup of tea with them. I removed my saddle in western style, & my pony also had his supper. It was dusk when I again was on my way & when I struck the wooded trail it was dark as pitch. On either side of the road were groups of soldiers or refugees, their lights glimmering far back into the forest. Now & again I would meet an orderly coming from Siboney. I passed the Father of young Hamilton Fish Wilborscout who was arranging to send home the body of his son. The American horses could not keep pace with my little beast who was headed for home. I arrived at Siboney beach at 9:30 P.M. & found a raging surf but no boat. Our boatman had given me up. thought I could not possibly get back that night While waiting on the wharf hoping some friend would give me a lift The launch of the Hospital Ship Relief came up. Her captain in a loud voice said, This launch [was like] no one. There were several persons standing there & I suppose by the tone of his voice12 some one had the audacity to ask him for a lift out to his ship. He begged a corner in a tent on the beach & was furnished a comfortable hammock & a cup of coffee. At 11:30 I turned in with my wet clothing on, simply removing my leggings & slept like a dead man until 4:30, When my friend awoke me & told me our pontoon was again at the beach. Mr. Warner had arisen very early & was taking advantage of a fairly quiet sea. The needs in the hospitals seemed [so] great [as She's in charge] We were so constantly urging [us] for supplies. That I increased my gang from 50 to 75 men [part of whom the rest of their portion of the rest of this carried the storms on their heads to the hospital.] Without resting a moment we worked continuously all that day & until nearly daylight the next morning when I undressed refreshed myself with a sponge bath & turned into my comfortable bank on the state of Texas. Elwell-1 After day at Siboney beginning July 6 1898 by A Red Cross man. I was constantly at Siboney and on the beach and so had an opportunity to see much of what occurred there. I had been there for several days before my story begins. The wounded began to come in from the pontoon the evening of July 1. and hundreds arrived during the next five days. The medical stores and supplies of the Army were wholly inadequate and were not at hand. The Red Cross steamer State of Texas had arrived; and we of her company had been continuously almost day and might landing through the surf the supplies jerked beef, beans, rice "hard tack" so and condensed and malted milk medical stores. This cargo had been originally intended for the reconcentrados but the deficiency of the army supplies medical stores being so great another consequent suffering so trouble that our supplies were landed to be in readiness for the army. For the first twelve hours the most of the boys coming in wounded were because the night [they] was raised in giving them wounded in the night aim, [being first to attacked was the right of flank] The second day many arrived with wounds on the head, body and arms; afterwards men often wounded were of so grave a character that it was impossible for the patients to walk and they rode in ambulances and army wagons. On the second a captain had walked down from the point and had managed by the win of a commandElwell-2 to struggle on to within 500 yards of the wharf. He desired to go on board to hospital ship there lying off this landing. He there fainted and dropped down in the sand I happened to be pacing by, hunted up a structure and assisted by three of my men we carried him to a tent. After bathing his head and having his wound dressed he came to, and said he lost his com- pany for more than two hours but mushed on towards the front and finally came up with a part of them and together they went forward. At the very moment when he came up with his men he received three shots almost simultaneously--one grazed his head, another went through his arm and a third made an ugly flesh wound in his leg. He fell and lay unconscious for a while but came to, and concluded he could walk back to Siboney. He was a brave man and laughed at his misfortunes during all this time of hardships and deprivation hardly a member was heard from [any] the bays. They were short of every thing but they seemed to take it as a matter of course. A rough ride chaplain whose name I never knew showed much manly bravery. Sometime past midnight I was tendered on the arm by a young man. He saw the Red Cross on my arm and thought I was a surgeon Elwell- [8] 4 [When] We arrived at the hospital ship and [had] got[ten] our load of wounded on board. [I also simply drenched with perspiration.] I never knew one Chaplain name she will probably never know who helped him but he will know that Red Cross men were there and that they helped him. On the 6th of July At Siboney and Firmiza there were six or seven Ismaud refugees and at Caney and other several villages near Santiago there were twenty five a thirty Ishmaud poor wretches on the verge of starvation calling on the Red Cross for relief. Up to this time every available mill, horse or man that could be had at any price had been pressed into ser- vice. General Castillio furnished a small Cuban pack train and the Government a few army wagons But the roads were so bad a six mule team could haul into a small load. By doggedly sticking to it for several hours in a pour- ing rain I succeding in getting an Engine and then can for Tirmiza. I searched for the Captain in charge who had kindly assisted me the day before in procurring two cars for the same purpose He had moved his head- quarters. I finally came across him and was in- formed that another Captain had been put in charge of transportation.Elwell-5 He was finally found and promptly and cheerfully granted my request. He sent his sergeant with me to deliver the order. The Engine was standing on the track with steam up ready to start when the order was given the Engineer warmly remarked "Not by right." "I am taking orders from Col. of the engineer Department. I have never been told that Capt. has any thing to do with this train." The sergeant and I earnestly told him that the officer had been changed early that morning. The Engineer turned to his fireman and said "Well, Jack, I don't know what in to do. I supposed I was to obey the orders of Col but it seems a Captain I never heard of is in charge now." Then turning to me he said: "Mr. Elwell of the Red Cross will stand by me. I'll take the risk!. "I was at Firmeza yester- day and I just know them poor devels are starving plum to death." To make pretty sure proportion surer I stepped aboard the Engine and had the cars backed down to the beach. The pouring rain was too much for my 50 Cuban soldiers and they had crept away under the tarpaulins. After rushing around for 15 minutes I got them together. The cars were immediately loaded and hauled to the mountain village of Firmeza So. I going with them the supplies were arranged ready for Elwell-6 destination that night and the next day rations to 5000 people were issued, some of whom were from the best families of Santiago. One gentleman a cashier in a Santiago Bank who with his large family had just arrived said they had not had a morsel of food that day and not an ounce could be found on the village. The two car loads previously sent had been exhausted. After the stuff was distributed I walked to Siboney about 4 miles by the trail. To prepared for the work of the morning, on the evening before one faithful "members" headed by Joe a stalwart faithful Nassau negro sculled our borrowed pontoon alongside the state of Texas and dropped his astern and made his fast with a strong ling that eve might be ready to begin work at dawn. At 4 A.M. we were up and at it. Mr. Warner in the pontoon Dr. Hubbell and my- self in the hold by the light of lanterns digging out stores. The state of Texas was loaded so as to be discharged at a wharf and consequently some of the stores we needed were not easy to find. The second hold of an ocean steamer in a tropical climate is never as cool as an ice chest and that of the state of Texas was no exception. Mr. Warner was that day "Captain of [Pontoons] Pontoons he had been a sea captain and knew exactlyElwell -[6] 7 how to handle a pontoon. [He moved over here to near the beach that it seemed certain a wreck must occur at exactly the right moment Joe would let go the anchor and partly as a good example to his men and more because it was necessary wariness would jump into the water shoulder deep and in American Spanish would direct When the stern was far enough [in] and not so far as to smash the bottom out] On the beach I with my darkey gang with the energy of desperation incited them by all that was Holy to get that stuff ashore without wetting it. Fifty naked Cubans soon discharged a pontoon although 250 pound Jack of rice appear heavy under such circum- stances. By 10 A.M. we were compelled to knock off account of the heavy sea. The government lost two handsome yawl boats that morning not 20 yards from us. Miss Barton then asked me to go to Caney and arrange for the distribution. At 10:30 AM I started [I mounted a little Cuban pony loaned to me by a Cuban Colonel - Poor little horse he Died not look much heavier than myself.] [To Siboney] to Caney from Siboney by the trail I took is 16 or 17 miles. It passes Geronimo [anemio] where Captain Capron was called, winds through the Canon through which the Elwell - [7] 8 United States artillery was dragged and through which most of our army passed on its way to the front. It passes over the Rough Riders battle ground of Sevilla right beyond which Col. Wood and Roosevelt had better camp and past General Shafter headquarters and the hospital nearly to the trenches on San Juan hill. It then turns to the right up a Canon Crossing and uncrossing a little stream. The mud was rendered bottomless by the traffic concentrated there. It reaches Caney at last. Through this whole distance from Caney to Siboney I met hundreds of refugees mostly women and children and infirm old men. Some of them knew me as I had lived in Santiago six years. In Caney I met Mr. Frederick Ramsden the English Consul at [Fib] Santiago his wife and son Mr. Bangs a Red Cross worker had been there for some days and was nearly exhausted by constant work. Poor man his zeal cost him his life; he died shortly afterwards. A committee with William Ramsden at its head had been formed. The Ramsden worked like a trojan and as the Cubans say "God will reward himElwell-9 Late in the afternoon I mounted my little pony for our return. About dark I arrived at The Red Cross hospital near General Shafters headquarters of which Dr Gardner was in charge stopping a few minutes for a little refreshment for myself and my pony I found it dark when I was again on my way. It was pitch dark as I reached the wooed trail. On each side of the road the soldiers or refugees had lighted their fires that gleamed far back into the forest. [An orderly from Siboney.] I passed the father of young Hamilton Irish with an acert who was arranging to send home the remains of his son. I arrived at Siboney at 9:30 P.M. and found a raging surf but no boat to take me out to the State of Texas. Our boatmen had given me up - thought I could not possibly get back that night. While waiting on the wharf hoping some friend would give me a lift over to the Texas the launch of the Hospital ship Relief came up. Her Captain in a loud voice said: "This launch will take no one!" There were several persons standing there. I suppose by the tone of his voice that some one had had the audacity to ask him for a lift out to his ship. I begged a corner in a tent on the beach Elwell-10 was furnished a comfortable hammock and a cup of coffee. At 11:30 I turned in, with my wet clothes on simply removing my leggings and slept [like a dead man] till 4:30 A.M. When my friend awoke me and told me our pontoon was again at the beach. Mr. Warner had risen early to take advantage of a fairly quiet sea. The needs of the hospitals were so great and were so constantly urged upon us that I increased my gang from 50 to 75 men without resting a moment we worked constantly all that day and until nearly day light the next morning. It [gave us some lovely] certainly gave us thorough work [exercise] [work] but the main thing was that the Red Cross and its stores [all right] were where our leader had requested they should be and they were there on time and we were content. [How was a day] [This was one day out in the mooring] Such were some the days of the Red Cross men in the Cuban war.Mr Elrealls report On very short notice Miss Barton & myself left for Habana Cuba, Feb 5th 1898. Arriving in Tampa Feb 7 9 am, when we went immediately to the beautiful -- historical Tampa Bay Hotel. x Miss Barton was given the freedom of the Hotel by Mr Plant & his charming wife who were spending their winter in Tampa. x We arrived in Key West July 9 3.30 P.M. Approaching the wharf we were reminded [*by the cheering crowd & the merry harmony of a Brass Band*] that Senor Estiban Palma Chairman of the Cuban Junta in New York was aboard. Cuban enthusiasm was at its height Cuban flags Everywhere. Apparently scenting danger from afar many [*of uncle Sams*] war vessels were at anchor in the bay. After driving about in little Island City for an hour or so, we were warned by his blasts from the "Allivittes" while that it was time to start. Arrived in Havana Feb 10 8am & [*were gladded by the sight of "the stars & stripes" floating over the Battle Ship Maine*] When about ready to go ashore were met by a clerk from General Lee's office. The General had been advised from Tampa this Miss Barton would arrive this morning. We were driven directly to the Inglaina Hotel2 The General paid his respects to Miss Barton, but was "too busy" to take up the Reconcentrado business that day. I was met in the vestibule of the Hotel by General Eugene Bryson, who urged me to go at over, with him to see "Los Fosos", a building set apart from reconcentrados construction, became famous as the synonim of everything horrible. The story of misery & death of "Los Fosos" has often been told Mr. Bryson predicted Miss Bartons arrival would incline them to propose for her coming & he wished me to see it as it was. [The awful sights which met my gaze I shall not attempt to describe. [After eating a hasty lunch & passing complement with several delegations of Cuban banno]] We drove to "Los Forso", & several other reconcentrado shelters, returning at dusk to the Hotel, somewhat depressed in spirit by our trip. The evening until 12 P.M. was taken up in meeting delegations, newspaper correspondents. The next day Feb. 11th bright & early our carriage was at the door. We visited four more reconcentrado houses of a better grade (the inmates having been thrifty farmers who were using the few precious dollars they had saved from the remnant of their little fortunes) The last of which has a sister of charity in charge. This was reasonably clean, & had a little school connection with it. 3 We found scallions over the city dispensaries, usually under the supervision of charitable ladies committees, who had seen straining every nerve for more than two troubling years. Trying as well as they could, to relieve the suffering's of their unfortunate countrymen. Too much can not be said in commendation of these noble women. But their resources were nearly exhausted, & despair was written on their kind faces, as with trembling voices they asked Miss Barton to help them replenish their scanty stores. We returned at dark & were informed that at 2 P.M., more than 1000 reconcentrados gathered in the Plaza in front of the hotel. They had been told by someone that Miss Barton had money to distribute. Somebody called the police & all was excitement for a time. When it was explained to them Miss Barton had not come to distribute money, but food they quietly dispersed. At night we met General Lee's Committee & devised ways & means for the future. The 12th went aboard SS Vigilance & met ward line Agents who were carrying free of all charge Cuban Relief supplies. Had short conference with General Lee who turned over the goods in the great San Jose warehouse to Miss Barton & myself. The San Jose warehouses are as fine as any in the world. One great4 building with as many people as requested to handle goods, was turned over to the use of Cuban Relief supplies, by its manager, free of charge. [In the afternoon we scourer the city & suburbs, seeking a suitable house for an orphan asylum & children's hospital, as proposed by Genl Lee.] Next day being steamer day, we worked far into the night with correspondence. Feby 13th up at 6 AM spent forenoon visiting dispensaries & called on Alcolae Bugon. In the afternoon went on an inspecting tour from one distribution center to another, where many ladies were filling paper bags for the next distribution. The following day being Sunday, we were out bright & early with quite a large party. At the house of Mr. Alfonzo in "El Cuno" a well organized & swift distribution was going on. A group of young ladies in pretty white aprons were dealing out packages to the poor wretches as they presented themselves with their tickets. One thousand received rations that day. From Mr. Alfonzos we went to the residence of Mr. Vander in the center of the City. The list of tickets here reached over two thousand. The street was blocked 5 with impatient humanity, each talking at the top of his voices. As we passed to the rear of the house & were looking at the crowd through the barred windows, I heard shrieks & yells. My blood ran cold as I saw a carriage occupied by two Spanish officers dashing under the whip, through the crowd. It was simply the "Mercy of God" that saved those poor wretches. I believe none of them were seriously hurt. As the officers disappeared around the corner they, in a sneering manner called back, "We will teach you 'sin verguencas' not to block up the street in that manner again. Long before the list of tickets was exhausted the supplies ran out, & many hungry angry souls were turning o go. Miss Barton called them to order & told those who had not received supplies, to return the next day & she would see that they got them! upon which assurance the crowd quickly faded away. Immediately we made the inquiry why is it, with 300 tons of provisions in the warehouse you haven not provisions enough here? Mr. Vander one of the committee, replied. There are no more provisions, the last in stock were sent6 here to me. Miss Barton tried to explain to him that there were provisions in abundance in the San Jose warehouse. He insisted that it could not be true as the president of the committee Dr Guzman had told him when he complained that he had not enough, that the last in stock had been delivered to him. Miss Barton turned to me & said Elwell are we dreaming," is it possible we did not see the warehouse packed with provisions yesterday?" The third house visited, was that of a prominent Cuban Doctor. There they were giving out full cans of roast beef, condensed milk, full pails of lard all with the labels on, any ration of which, were the receiver inclined could have been sold on the market of the city for several dollars. To this Miss Barton objects & in her pleasant manner advised them on the subject. They were not pleased with our visit & one lady who spoke English retorted "I guess I know my business & you had better look after yours." While driving back to the hotel we concluded that an invoice of the goods in the warehouse should 7 be taken at once, so decided. The next morning at daylight Miss Barton, myself & General Ross of Illinois, who kindly offered his services to assist were at the warehouse. Miss Barton assisted by the General began the invoice, steamer by steamer. Boxes & barrels were opened, & each article was labled. Miss Barton insisted on filling out the tags with her own hand signing each C.B. In the menetime I was trying to find a record of the provisions previously distributed. From that day a tissue copy book record was kept of every invoice of stores dispatched, beginning with #1. Miss Barton and the General worked all that day & the next concluding the invoice at 4 P.M. By that time I had arranged a system of accounts & had dispatched supplies to all the stations about town for the next Sunday's distribution, & had also sent invoices of goods to many country places. At 4 P.M. we jumped into the carriage - not taking time to go to the hotel but drove to the Consul General office & with a party of ladies made8 our last call aboard the Battle ship Maine. We were delightfully entertained by Capt Sigsby & officers. I remember a feeling of security & confidence was experienced by us all. A great beautiful floating palace. The splendid young seamen in their spotless [garb] clothing were doing their evening gymnastic exercises. [Health shone in their ruddy faces, in their clear eyes sparkled a pride for their noble ship. Their mussels stood out like whip cords as the exercise went on. The Captain was proud of them, & of his stalwort young officers & they were proud of their Capttain.] After a lunch in the Captains Cabin a bright young man was detailed to show me the ship [in detail] & we went below. I was shown how easily & accurately the torpedo tube worked. My guide adjusted it & leveled it point blank at a large Spanish cruiser near by. He said. "You see I could strike that vessel wherever I chose," 9 He showed me the machinery of the big guns, & little guns, her peerless engines, at which he pointed with pride & said, "I do not suppose there is a vessel in the navy with better engines than ours." He explained the electrical contrivance & all the beautiful combination connected with them. He took me through the mess rooms, the laundry, showed me how they adjusted hammocks & gave me an exact idea how the boys lived below the water line. We were two hours below. (my courteous, affable guide was killed in the explosion) When we appeared on deck Miss Barton & the General oparty had gone ashore so, at the cordial request of the officers I denied aboard. It was after 9 P.M. when I stepped into the launch for shore. (After the explosion I picked up a letter S. floating in the bay which was probably blown from the side of that same launch.) After dinner we sat down to our correspondence in a large front room in the Inglaterra hotel & were writing away for dear life. Suddenly, we heard a terrific explosion that shook the town like an10 Earthquake, I sprang to the door of the room which faced the bay & beheld the heavens blazing with a great light. Huge balls of liquid fire filled the sky, & [remained there for many seconds x] remained there for many seconds. In her quiet way, Miss Barton said, "whatever was that," "somebody has shot off a mortar I believe "Great heavens" Miss Barton I cried, "I believe some Powder Magazine has blown up-, & was hustling about to find my hat to go out & investigate Still in her quiet tone Miss Barton said, "I do not believe I would go out that noise was quite a distance off." By this time [the] bugles were sounding to call together the troops, fire companies were running, Everybody was running. I did not go out but by the noise in the street was certain something extraordinary [*was on foot*] Our correspondence kept us [?] [?] until 2 A.M, we had arranged to go to Matanzos the next day & the train started at dawn I arrose long before day light & went down to the office to copy some letters, when I 11 heard the boys in the street crying their papers "Maine blown up, 263 dead and many injured, some more will die -- will probably be more explosions as she is afire" I rushed up stairs & advised Miss Barton, then tore down [*again*] jumped into a carriage & drove to the machine dock. What an awful sight met my gaze, our beautiful "Maine" of which we were so justly proud a hopeless wreck One mast and a part of the blazing hull above water On shore, lines of charred corpses filled every nook & corner Others thought dead were gasping for breath [?] [?] The bay was black with floating debris. I ordered my boatman to row around the wreck. The patrol drove us back & fearing more explosions, I was compelled to go ashore again [I] I drove directly to the hotel where Miss Barton was anxiously waiting [and] We immediately drove to the Military Hospital where the victims of the disaster were 12 being cared for. x The Military hospital authorities set apart a ward for "our boys" which was clean, roomy and airy. x The surgeons in charge did excellent work & nothing was left undone so far as they were able to do it x [*Who was she?*] Sister Mary Wilberforce - an English nurse - had offered her services at the outset & was doing beautiful work among the wounded. x As we entered that ward a most horrible sight presented itself, on [either] each side of the room were rows of cots filled with gritty patient heroes. x Their raw blistering wounds had already been dressed as far as possible. x Surgeons with tweezers were peeling the outer skin from their quivering faces & arms. One great stalwart fellow with set face and beads of prespiration on his brows had endured the apperation. x I stepped up, grasped him gently by his uningered hand & said, "Well old man this is pretty tough isint it." He smiled feebly & said. "Oh this is nothing, only a trifle". x On the next cot was a poor fellow with his jaws torn away & an arm broken, he was delerious & was calling for someone x He died that day. x On the next cot was a poor fellow who had been unconcious until the moment I stooped over & spoke to him x His hair 13 eyebrows & mustached had been burned away & one eye was burned shut x It must have been the English language that revived him for he opened his other eye a very little way & said, "Where am I-"? I informed him as gently as I could what had happened x In a very weak voice he said. "It can not be I was sleeping in my hammock below deck, How am I here? I told him he had been fished out of the water shortly after the explosion., "Then I went through the bottom of her", he said simply x Miss Barton was going from cot to cot, cheering & comforting as she went x I heard one poor fellow scalded from the neck down, whisper to his comrad at his right, "Say Bill do you know that lady is Clara Barton? Yes, thank God, & see, she is coming this way! Another said "I knew you were here", "I thought you would come, "I am so thankful I looked up & Miss Barton was beckoning to me x As I reached her side she was smoothing the pillows. of a young man in great distress of mind. x He was afraid his sweet heart in Brooklyn whom he expected to marry when he returns home, would go crazy if she had to suffer until a letter arrived x When a cablegram was prepared he sank back on his pillow with a sigh of relief & immediately dropped asleep. x We thought he would recover, but, when I arrived at the hospital the next day he was delerious x As I stepped to his side, he turned his feverish eyes on me & said, "Oh Mr Elwell, I am14 so glad you have come" x "Will you please shift my cot a little so that the water will not drip in my face, I cannot stand it much longer x" I moved his cot a little & said "How is that old man." He thanked me & shut his eyes -- (It was a bright sunny day outside). The poor boy died that night. x During that day & the next Miss Barton & myself sent a great many letters & cablegrams dictated by the boys -- among which were as follows Habana Cuba Feby 18th 1898 Military Hospital Mrs GW Korbler 1317 Brunswick St Brooklyn N.York My dear Wife: I just wish to tell you that I am feeling better. I think I will be all right soon George. Habana Cuba Feby 17th 98 146 Nassau St Brooklyn N.Y. Dear Brother : Am here in Havana Hospital Legs have been blown out of shape a little bit, but hope to be all right soon. This is only to let you know I am all "OK" Your brother Jack 15 Miss Barton employed two competent nurses who spoke Spanish & English, one for night & the other for day services, & retained them until the last of our boys had been removed to Key West x She also gave Sister Mary "carta blanc" for any delicacies that the boys might fancy not obtainable in the Hospital x Until the last man had been removed we visited the hospital as often as possible & were amply repaid by the kind glances & hearty handshakes of Uncle Sam's matchless Blueq uclatsX__ But although our hearts were with our own boys, we could not forget the horror & misery that existed among the wretched reconcentrados scallions through the cities towns & villages of Cuba. x [*Up to this time supplies had been dispatched weekly from the warehouse to about 20 points within the brocha of Havana. feeding from 17000 to 20000 people. Outside of Havana by R.R. steamer, schooner, to more than 40 cities towns and villages -- From Sagun la Grande, to Pinal del Rio, relieving about 80000 -- reconcentrada.*] Saturday Feby 19th "In company with Miss Barton I visited Jaruca and together we organized the distribution. The Civil hospital, a horribly dirty building was placed at our disposal. I immediately organized a gang of twenty or more reconcentrados, bought soap, water, 25 sacks of lime &c &c. & within 3 hours, & before we left at 4 P.M. were gratified to inspect a perfrectly clean building ready for hospital purposes16 [*Lee Tissue Copy book Folio 56.*] The cots, tables, chairs &c, belonging to the building were so saturated with filth that they wer ordered burned. The next day by first train we sent new cots, bedclothing, provisions & medical stores in charge of a Doctor, In three days the hospital was full of patrens & is I think, a credit to the town of Jaruco & to the United States of America." # Note [For detailed description of Jaruco see Miss Barton letter see Tissue Copy book Folio #48] # Feby 20th We had just moved into our headquarters at "El Cerro" a beautiful "quinta" the property of Madam Jorrin which "is a beauty & a joy forever" x For some days we devoted our time to visiting every nook & Corner of Havana, investigating villages in that region, & systematizing & simplifying the distribution of supplies. Miss Bartons plan was to have one central point in the city & the same in each of its suburbs. We went to Guanabacoa, & found that although the goods were being distributed from the house of Mr Hyatt he had nothing to do with it x The committe which came from Havana arrived late. & though supplies had been sent to 17 relieve 2500 people as per tickets, by the system used not half that number were attended to. I quietly counted the number receiving supplies for one hour & estimated the number by the time employed & found there was a "screw loose somewhere x The next day when the report was passed in it showed 2500 tickets had been satisfied x The next day it was recommended to the Havana committee that it would be better for a resident of Guanabacoa to take charge of the distribution & reluctantly the charge was turned over to Mr George Hyatt. x Before we left Mr Hyatt had swelled the number of tickets to over 4000 & each received his portion x On the whole Every thing was running smoothly & we could easily see our way clear to satisfy the whole island in very quick order .x During this time Miss Barton had in hand "Las Fosos," x The building was thoroughly cleaned provisioned, & furnished with medical stores. x A room was partittioned off for clothing, & another for drugs x A druggist, plenty of nurses, cooks & washwomen were employed at good wages, & some of the more inteligent women inmates were pressed into service x 18 As the floors seemed unsafe a carpenter was employed to brace them. The several hundreds of dollars expended on "Las Fosos" suplemented by an abundance of Cuban Relief supplies, converted a veritable death trap, into what promised to be a well regulated asylum and hospital, for the most miserable reconcentrados of Havana City x During this time we were constantly on the alert for a suitable house for an asylum & hospital x The first sugested by Genl Lee seemed suitable, but after wasting nearly a day of our previous time the owner, who was a spanish officer demanded such a severe contract that we decided to give it up x After an exaustive search Mrs Barton found late in the evening a suitable location & the same evening prepared a contract ready for the Consul General [Genl] [Lee] to sign .x The next morning at daylight I had a big gang of men scouring & scrubbing. Carpenters, Masons, Plummers, Painters, & whitewashers were at work & by night the house & grounds were clean & orderly x Early the next morning cots, Provisions & medical stores were sent from the warehouse or bought in the city x Through the superhuman Efforts of Mrs & Dr Lesser who then took 19 the matter in charge, the house was recleaned in New York hospital style, & by night everything was in place, & ready for the children, x Bright & early the next morning a lot of poor miserable little orphan waifs were installed, x When every thing was in order [General Lee] the Consul General was called and appeared delighted x He declared no more complete well regulated asylum could be found on Earth x The number steadily increased until the building was full to overflowing with reconcentrado orphans -x Dr Egan established a clinic at the hospital for outside patients which grew apace & hundreds received expert medical treatment at his hands x A little later on the good ArchBishop of Havana came & blessed the work, & christined it --- The Lee Orphanage ---20 March 2nd, By early morning train, Miss Barton, Senator Proctor, Miss Fannie B Ward, Doctor Hubbell & myself, departed for Matanzas. x Much had been said about Matanzas & we were prepared for anything x [Our party was met at the station by a representative of the Gov. of the province who invites us to go directly to the palace We decided first to go to the hotel and often for breakfast color the ground] [While breakfast was in preparation] I with Miss Bartons compliment advised Consul Brice that our party had arrived. After breakfast a call was made on the Governor, a typical Cuban & polished gentleman x His wife mother & sister, gave Miss Barton a warm welcome. x The governor offered the freedom of the City & province; & his cooperation in any way possible. x From the Governers Palace we went to the Consulate, & there perfected our plans for the day -- x Miss B. told the consul "that she expected to furnish 21 supplies for Matanzas, & since so much had been said of its horrors, she wished to see the [worse] section of the city where the reconcentrados were congregated x The Consul demurred at this, & advised that we visit the Civil Hospital & other charitable institutions, & simply call at one of the reconcentrado hospitals on our way to the train x She told him we would be pleased to visit one or two of these institutions. but the reconcentrados were the ones we wanted to see. We found the Civil Hospital in very good condition, & so concluded to seek out at once the reconcentrado communities x The first hospital visited was a fairly good one x , There was an abundance of cots, & the place was exceedingly clean. x The man in charge was straining every nerve to do all he could x [to keep the body & soul of the poor [?] his, [?] Many were in a dieing condition x 22 There was scarcely a morsel of food in the storeroom, or a drop of medicine in stock x The women were many of them lying under ragged blankets [???] entirely naked x The patients with swollen limbs & abdomens, were in the last stages of starvation x In their midst was a corpse so recently dead its face was yet uncovered x The surroundings were more pitiful, as it was plainly seen [that] those in charge were faithfully tryings to do something, with absolutely nothing to work with. x Our party left what money it could spare, & with sad hearts, passed on to the second hospital.x This was a long building with thatched roof, was scrupulously clean & well kept [as was the first] but, the same conditions presented themselves as at the first x While passing through this hospital, I saw two men gasp & die, others were past all help x We gave a piece of money to each one strong enough to take 23 it. One handsome little gentleman ten years of age handed his gift to his little sister x He was rewarded for his generosity .x The Senator could not endure more & turned back as in fact had all the others except Miss Barton Dr Hubbell & myself. x This building was not clean the man in charge had lost courage x He said, "it is no use the patients are simply brought here to die," He had nothing to give them his resources were exausted. x In passing through a miserable ward a young man touched me on the shoulder & said "I believe I would not remain here long these people have the small-pox."24 [*When we were in the yellow fever ward we were warned not to stay long here.*] He did not need to tell me the second time. [Sick at heart we went directly to the train.] We repeatedly informed Consul Brice that supplies would be sent him by first train, [The supplies were promptly sent but I am sorry to say the Consul did not find them until they had lain in the R R depot more than a week awaiting his order.] The governor & family were at the depot to bid us gods speed, Afterwards he set off a suit of rooms in his palace, for Miss Barton whenever she should return. [I was informed later that this was Consul Brice's first visit to their hospitals.] On our journey back to Havana, our party arranged a trip for the next day to Artimesa in the province of Pinal del Rio x At 6 AM Miss B. the Senator, Col, Dr H. Dr Egan & myself made our first trip to the westward into the greatest tobacco district of the world. The villages passed through were in bad enough 25 Condition but some planting was going on, especially tobacco. We arrived in Artimesa [on the famous trocha at] 9:30 a.m. and were met at the station by the Mayor x [Miss Barton was offered the hospitality of the his home by Adolfo Mastin the station agent.] Immediately we took carriages drove about the town & for a mile over the famous trocha road a level turnpike which crosses the island from sea to sea. The Senator & Colonel decided to return to Havana, & the rest of us to stay until the next day & superintind the distribution of supplies then being in the RR station house x [&] [& find a building for a hospital.] In the afternoon [the Alonlde had] the supplies were prepared for distribution the next day x Miss Barton visited an asylum for little girls founded by the priest, a noble young man who had gathered from the street, a scene of little orphans -- The priest had been26 ordered out of town by the authorities on account of his Cuban views .x A few good people were protecting the little asylum but had about decided to abandon it for want of supplies x Miss Barton promptly told them that [ample] supplies would be furnished at once, & giving each little girl a small piece of money took her leave. x The next day food was given [out] to more than 2000 poor famishing wretches. We returned that evening to Havana but had previously arranged with the Senator & Colonel to meet us at the ferry early the next morning for a trip to Sagua -- la Grande & Cienfuegos x At 6 AM our original party again started for Sagua x At Jovellanos I wired ahead for transportation from San Domingo to Sagua. x The General Manager responded with a special car which we had at our [disposition] disposal for the remainder of -- 27 the journey over the Sagua la Grande & Cienfuegos R.R. Systems x Upon our arrival in Sagua we were met by US Consul Barker The Alcalde Mr Machado, & other dignitaries of the town x [& went immediately] [to the hotel which is a very] [good one. At night we] [attended a ball at the Spanish] [Casino & among others met] [the Sister of Miss Cisneros, then] [famous from the remarkable] [rescue by the NY Journal correspondents,] [& Mr Carbonell who] [afterward married her x] The next morning bright & early the Alcalde had carriages at the door & we visited first the section of the town where reconcentrados were congregated and after were driven to the edge of the city & shown land that the Alcalde proposed to plant to crops for the benefit of the poor x The scheme he afterwards carried out and thus saved from death the poor wretches during the28 terriable blockade. x The Alcalde also explained to Miss B. an industrial scheme to rescue young girls from the street x That scheme he also carried out, & now has an industrial asylum filled to overflowing with industrious happy healthy girls from 3 yrs to 16 -x With such men in charge of affairs, it is not strong [when I say] that Sagua though surrounded by devastation & ruin, is [perhaps] in the best condition [to belong] of any town in [the] the western half of the [island] of Cuba and has been through all this trouble x Before leaving we visited the soup kitchens which were running at full capacity & have so continued x At 2 PM boarded our train for Cienfuegos, arriving there at dark x [we went immediately] [to hotel Inion] After dinner Consul McGarr made us a call. x 29 The senator had a long conversation with him and Among other things the Consul made the statement, "That there was no hunger in that section" x He thought sickness was caused rather from over feeding than starvation." x While on our trip to Sagua and Cienfuegos the US. commission consisting of Senators Thurston, Gallinger, & others had arrived, also Mr Luis Klopsch Editer of the Christian Herald x In company with them March 12th we made a second trip to Matanzas & found the conditions had not improve since our last visit x In the three hospitals we had visited on our previous trip, we found empty a great many of the beds, the storerooms, & the pharmacies x We were surprised & shocked, as better conditions were confidently expected x March 2nd we had been in Matanzas x March 4th [the] supplies were forwarded by early morning train for these hospitals & the train ran directly to Matanzas x If not allready used the goods must be in the R.R. warehouse still.[*From Page 29*] 30 With supressed excitement but without saying a word to any one Miss Barton ordered the driver to take us directly to the R. R. Depot. The rest of the party 8 or 10 carriage loads all together followed us to the Passenger Depot where we immediately inquired of the station Master for the goods. Yes said he they are in the freight depot x To whom are they consigned? To the American Consul. Have you notifyed him that the goods are here? Certainly we always notify the consigner when goods arrive. Let us drive directly to the freight warehouse Miss Barton demanded x The rest of the party wished to see some more of the reconcentrado huts & so it was arranged that they with Mr Suarez as interpreter should visit the huts. Miss Barton excusing herself by saying she had visited them on her previous trips. We stepped into our carriage & started toward the R. R. warehouse. The party of reporters & Mr Klopch ever suspicious determined to follow, 31 us & when we arrived at the warehouse, the whole party, with Klopsch at their head, were there also. We found the entire invoice stacked in the center of the building x Consul Brice declared that he had not been notified until the day before & that the goods were not consigned to him any how but to the Red Cross. This was enough for Mr Klopsch & the New York Herald who blamed me for negligence in duty for not sending the goods. They said if the Consul did not receive his notification until the day before & if the goods were consigned to the Red Cross & not the Consul, Elwell was to blame x I was certain I had gotten up at day light Mch 3rd the morning after our previous visit to Matanzas & had tried to get the good off in time for the morning cargo train. Failing in that I promptly sent the goods 32 to the station for the early train of the 4th I did not advise the Consul by letter as Miss Barton & myself repeatedly told the Consul that the goods would be sent by the first train x I was full of the subject from the horrible sights I had seen in the hospitals & as the Consul had not previously visited those hospitals I supposed he Consul would be also full of the subject. [The next day when I arrived] Afterwards I went to the R R freight depot & got a copy of the way bill which read as follows. Sent by Reconcentrado Committee to Matanzas. Consigned to The American Consul. Mark Com. #489 56 bt con el 507 $ 3.51 oro March 4th 1898 On the morning of March 14th Mr Klopsch & his secretary came stalking into our headquarters at ElCerro walking streight into Miss Bartons private room 33 where she Dr Egan & myself were at work. He immediately accused me of neglect of duty all along the line, & especially in the Matanzas affair. Accused me with the death of the victims in Matanzas because I had been delinquent in sending supplies, & supplements these remarks with a great many more, dissagreeable things. I was frantically angry, but realizing the I must keep my temper I managed to do so. He reminded Miss Barton she was spending his money & was thoroughly surprised when she produced his two $5000 checks, & handed them back to him. Miss Barton had not, & did not spend one cent of Christian Herald Money furnished by Mr Klopsch while in Cuba. He absolutely refused to take back the checks x But fawned to Miss B like a whipped pup & so left the house.[*Klopsch*] [30] 34 It is not generaly known that the Cuban Central Relief Committee of N.Y., was recommended to the President of the US by Miss Barton. x After the President had decided to appoint Mr Stephen E. Barton Chairman, & Mr Chas A Scherin tresurer, he produced a letter just received from Mr Klopsch, which he referred to Miss Barton, at the same time asking, who he was? Miss Barton replied, "is it possible Mr President you have not heard of Mr Louis Klopsch of New York", he is the great money raiser of the U.S. x "He makes us a grand offer here" said his excellence. "Would he not be a desirable addition to the Comittee"? Miss Barton replied x [again] "I am inclined to believe so, being the owner of a great religious journal, he surely is in touch with the religious people of the Country; but, added Miss B, I would suggest that he be not given any official position in the committee, x And thus it was decided x [31] 35 The plan of the "Christian Herald" was to raise money through the church organizations & Sunday schools of the country x The picture of a little child giving his bank to the poor starving Cubans appears in one number of this paper x At this time Mr Klopsch informed [the] the other members of the NY committee that he purposed running over form Key West for a day or two, to [personally] see with his own eyes the condition of the country. And thus he appeared on the scene x He & his charming wife, made their headquarters at the "Inglaterra Hotel. Also the headquarters of the Consul General [Genl] [Lee], & the army of war correspondents then in Havana, x His watchman from the first war, "Money is no object," x He generously placed a large sum in Consul General's [Lee's] hands & advised it to be expended freely x The morning after his arrival he appeared in the warehouse where we were all at work & took absolute controll of affairs x[32] 36 He promptly told me in Miss Barton's presence in a most premptory tone, that I had "overstepped my authority, and that my duties ceased at the door of that warehouse" x He declared that my work had been entirely unsatisfactory & that I had undertaken a contract alltogether larger than I was capable of handling." x [He] Seeing the Red Cross which had been painted & stenciled, on every box, barrel, bag, & package, he informed us, "that, it should be removed" x He complained in detail of every thing done up to date, & informed us that "he was there on the ground to see that it was better done in the future". Never having been the little Hebrew before I could not believe my senses, I looked over toward Miss Barton & seeing the pained expression on her face, instead of promptly kicking him out of the warehouse as I ought to have done, I held my tongue & my temper x [until I had had a personal conference] [33] 37 [with Miss Barton.] He [there] walked hurriedly through the great warehouse, glancing here & there, then majestically strode toward the door delivering as he went this parting address x "There is nothing here suitable," what we want is Corn meal & bacon" x "500 tons of cornmeal must be ordered at once, I will cable for it this very night" x "Meet me sir, tomorrow morning, at the "Inglaterra" hotel, I have more I wish to say to you, good day" x Miss Barton had not said a word but for once there was a glitter in her eye that indicated anger x Miss Barton said I, "What have we struck now" x The Lord only knows, said she. "What can the man mean." The next morning I concluded I would slip round to the hotel and see if I could get a clue. to the enigma presented. x I sent in my card & in a moment heard the confident tread of his tiny feet x[34] 38 Without bidding me good morning he began, x "I want immediately a statement from you of your work from the time you arrived in Havana until this date x I wish to cable it to the "Christian Herald'," x Now to tell the truth, our interview of the day before, coupled with the Doctors manner, -- & that face, -- did not imbue me with the deepest fullest confidence in the man x With some reserve I said to him, "I am sorry to say, sir, that the records of our work is in our books in the warehouse x If you will slip down there you are at perfect liberty to look at our records" x "You know very well [that] "I can not do that now, I wish to send a cablegram at once x" "An approximate statement will do as well as any." "Tell me what you have done, what you are doing & what you propose to do," By this time his manner had made me slightly, "angry -- [hot under] [35] 39 [the collar"], & I retorted hotly," x "I might as will tell you Dr Klopsch. -- (Oh please do not call me Doctor, I am a doctor, but it is not at all necessary.) -- Well whoever you are then, that you can make up your mind here & now, that I shall say nothing to you in regard to our work, except Miss Barton is present" x "We have been working togather from the start, & whether we have done it badly or well, we have worked togather", I then arose & was preparing to leave when he changed his manner x "Oh my dear Mr Elwell do not get angry, I really did not mean to be harsh" x "You should not take it in that way. I naturally was anxious to cable today, but it does not make such a difference" x "You speak of a conference with Miss Barton You surely must know she has nothing to do with the Cuban Relief work." x "She is receiving one thousand dollars a week. [I think it was] to do work[*1077 200 215,400*] [36] 40 for the 'Christian Herald', but the Red Cross has nothing whatever to do with, your work". I said, "Mr Klopsch I do not understand you at all x You are mistaken, & I refuse to say another word to you until Miss Barton is present. x "Then you refuse to comply with my request." x Yes I do most imphatically." I bid you good day sir x [As I drove to the warehouse, I did some earnest thinking x] "One thing was certain, Doctor Klopsch was either a fraud, or a crazy man, He could not be a fraud, as he was owner of the great Christian Herald, with Doctor Talmadge, whom I had always admired, as Editor, & also, he was a member of the Cuban Central Relief Committee x He came down," with money to burn", & was rapidly burning it x This money was [the] funds of the Cuban Central Relief Committee, & so far as the 'Christian Herald' went, was made up of the pennies & dimes of the children of our[37] 41 Sunday schools x The dollars, our Christian people; had given & in more cases than one mean rigid economy" x x Here was this Doctor Klopsch, throwing money about as recklessly as a drunken sailor x Who had repudiated our work without a moments investigation x Who had said Miss Barton was employed by him, & had nothing to do with the matter of reliefs -- Who had ordered the Red Cross obliterated from the packages _ in the warehouses _ He surely is crazy. I reluctantly decided x And yet, that face is the face of a fraud -- Knowing that Mr Klopsch had sent a tremendous cable order to New York, & receiving no cable of inquiry from the New York office & since he had, positively ordered the warehouse emptied -- we immediately dispatched what was left in stock, to the stations about Havana, & the neighboring villages x When the Klopsch order arrived we had in store a few tons which we sent to the Lee Orphan Asylum. [March 18 the Klopsch order of Cornmeal and bacon began] [38] 42 Mr Klopsch now took a new plan. He conceived the idea of forming a new committee of three, & tried to get one or more of Miss Bartons loyal workers on that. Committee x One evening, I received a very polite note inviting me to dine at the Hotel with him x I had a previous engagement & did not go. x Then he called me up on the telephone & in a pleasant manner asked me if I would please call at the hotel as he had something very pleasant to tell me x I decided to go wondering all the way "what was in the wind" x When I arrived he told me he had decided to form a central committee, of three with myself at the head with full power to act, & named as the other two, Dr Guzman, and Mr Vanderwater x He said, "now Mr Elwell, I have decided that you are the man x Remember money is no object. Name your salary & it will be paid you x I know you are a hustler & will[39] 43 exactly fill the bill. x Of course Miss Barton knows all about this committee, I said. x Now, Mr Elwell why do you always bring in Miss Bartons name in connection with this matter x Certainly, later on she will be informed about it, but for the present, it will not be necessary x Have I not repeatedly told you that Miss Barton is here for the "Christian Herald", & has nothing whatsoever to do with the Cuban Relief work." x I came down here to take charge of this work, & want you to head my new committee x Mr Klopsch, I said I would not under any consideration go on any committee with either Messr Guzeman or Vanderwater. I have since I arrived here," weighted them both in the balance & found them wanting" x Furthermore, I am the representitave of the Cuban Central Relief Committee in NYork, & here in Cuba, refuse to do any thing whatsoever in connection with the work without the sanction of Miss Barton, x Then you refuse to go on my committee? Yes, as you put it, I must imphatically do x Afterwards he tried much in the same manner to bribe Drs Egan and Hubbell but failed most ingloriously x [Page 1 Should come in before] # [43] 44 Mr Klopsch chalked out his manner of procedure like a skillful word politician. He [solicited] sought out every one, whom we had turned down for dishonesty, or otherwise, & promptly put him on his own staff x He put Guzeman at the head, Vanderwater next, Dr Villaso who had charge of the distribution at Guanabacoa before Mr Hyatt, third, He bribed an old man I had picked up as an object of charity, & was employing in the warehouse at good wages, to act as spy on us. x The young man sent down to take charge in the warehouse by Mr Guzeman, had previously been employed by the San Jose warehouse Company, but was indefinality suspended for dishonesty x Mr Suarez whom The Consul General [Lee] had given charge of country distribution before our arrival, was well meaning, but weak. He was by the General ordered, to assist Mr. Klopsch as interpreter x He had been previously turned over to us by the Consul Genl [General Lee] who remarked x "He is a first rate fellow. You can put perfect confidence in him." For this reason he had been constantly with us & should, have knownPage 2 [44] 45 All the details of our work. x Along toward the close of March Mr Klopsch conceived the brilliant idea of disposing of a quantity of Cornmeal & bacon by wholesale x so he chartered two special trains one to run to the Eastward, & the other to the westward. & from those trains he proposed to discharge quantities of stuff at Each station [*as the train passed by x*] The "S.S. Seneca", & "Santo Domingo", had arrived a few days before & the goods were yet on the lighters x At 8 AM March 26th Mr Suarez appeared on the scene with an army of carts & men, & began rushing the goods onto the carts directly from the lighters without checking x I promptly demurred, stopped the proceeding until I had counted that allready on the carts & arranged a system of checking goods, that were supposed to pass through the warehouse x The result of the days work was -- [*699 s/s*] [*378Bs*] 1077 packages of Cornmeal = 215400. lbs 30 ¢ pork 20482 " There trains were put in Page 3 [45] 46 Charge of his faithful henchmen, & dumped off -- promiscuously at each station, along the R.R rout x It is needless to say that this brilliant procedure was published in the "Christian Herald", of New York [XX] [Should come in earlier][40] 47 [after a few warm words I took my leave. Afterwards he tried in very much the same manner to bribe Doctors Egan and Hubbell & failed most ingloriously --] Mr Klopsch then systematically tried to get me out of the warehouse. x First, he tried to force me to resign, which I refused to do x Next he prepared a document and charging me from warehouse & appointing Mr Guzman which he airily asked the Consul Genl [General Lee] to sign while at the dinner table entertaining guests, said it was a little warehouse order x The General told me the next day [that] he signed it without reading as he thought it was a requisition for some goods Mr K. had previously spoken about x The letter was given me by an agent of Mr Guzmans, who also showed me his orders to take charge as clerk. x The Genl [General Lees] order had been refered to the warehouse Co_ which promptly refused to honor my signature x Mr Guzemans clerk had a quantity of blank orders in his pocket & immediately began despatching supplies into a score of carts at the door [41] 48 without any kind of a record x Before leaving the warehouse to hunt up the Consul Genl [General Lee] to see what it all ment, I told my men Victor Dominguez & Mr McDowell, to keep an accurate record of the packages until I returned, as I was determined I would keep, in spite of them all, an accurate check of that warehouse until I was certain I was fired out of it x Before leaving I dictated the followin Habana March 30th 98 Sr Administrador of the Warehous of San Jose. My dear Sir : As assistant of Consul General Fitzhugh Lee in the distribution of supplies to the reconcentrados I protest against any goods or Merchandize leaving the Warehouse while I am in charge of such goods without an order signed by myself. Yours truly JK Elwell. The above was handed to the Genl Manager of the warehouses x[42] 49 I then jumped into my carriage & drove directly to find the Consul General. When the General had read the order he said, "how is this, I do not remember anything about this" x Then he recognized Mr Klopsch handwriting & said, "I remember I signed this at dinner yesterday I thought it was a requisition for goods" _ He promptly repudiated the order on the margin of the document, thus reinstating me in the warehouse. [*Immediately called his stenographer he dictated an order - that I should have charge of the warehouse. but that Guzeman & Vanderwater, should have absolute charge outside _ & so (Mr Klopsch was content). I was at last warehouse Keeper, Thus, after this time thousands of dollars worth of Cuban Relief stores were under the absolute controll of a lot of men we had, "weighed in the balance & found wanting"*] [As] The general did not reach his office until late in the day & as I was unable to see him until that time. 185 packages had been taken from the warehouse without any check whatsoever except that of my men -x When I again arrived at the warehouse, Mr Guseman was there & arrogently told me he was ordered by the Consul Genl [General Lee] & Doctor Klopsch to take charge of the warehouse, & the sooner I got out the better. I showed him General Lees new order, which closed the incident so far as my authority in the warehouse was concerned ----- 50 During this time Miss Barton had gone to the United States, I immagine to find out if everybody connected with the Cuban Central Relief Committee had gone crazy. I stuck to the warehouse filling all requisitions properly signed by Messrs Guzman & Vanderwater x With hundreds of tons of provisions in Stock sometimes several days would pass without dispatching a pound x Had I been permitted to do so all supplies would have been safely in the hands of the famishing reconcentrados before the blockade was declared x When the Consul Gen [General Lee] ordered All American Citizens out of Havana. Ourselves among the rest, Mr Guzman was on board the Generals ship x In a slipshawed manner, the Relief supplies were turned over to the English Consul. x At the same time an order book was turned over by mr Gusman to his agent x51 The next day an order was presented to the warehouse man, to deliver to Guzmuns agent a griter park of the pork in stock x The order was refused until the English Consul had placed his stamp on it, as ordered by the Consul Genl [General Lee] x The General Manager of the warehouse told me afterward, that much of the pork was put on the marker in Havana. A part of the remaining items, under the stamp of English Consul, was distributed among charitable institutions, and the rest seized by the government for the use of the Army. A receipt being delivered to the English Consul by Consul General Blanco. x YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC IN FLORIDA. During the month of August, 1888, yellow fever broke out in Jacksonville, and in September it was declared to be epidemic, the usual scare and exodus of citizens taking place. On September [8th] heroic measures to depopulate the city were taken, and every person that was still well and could leave was requested to go; and very little urging was necessary. Camps were established outside of the city, where those who have [not] the means to go further and getting better quarters, were enabled to live under medical surveillance and away from the seat of infection. The Mayor of Jacksonville had made an appeal for doctors and nurses, which had been quickly responded to; and they were doing all that they could to attend to the rapidly increasing number of patients. Quite a number of the volunteers who had been accepted were northerners who were unacclimated, and had never seen a case of yellow fever, and what was to have been expected naturally happened, and they fell victims to the disease that they had hoped to conquer. If my counsel will avail, I should like right here to enter a warning and entreaty to all those brave and enthusiastic humanitarians who, without the necessary immunity of a previous infection of the disease, will be inquiring at the very first call, to rush into all the dangers of the fever epidemic. The history of every one of these scourges shows a sad record of large numbers of those thoughtless and unnecessary sacrifices. The Red Cross had been closely watching the progress of the fever, and had quietly arranged to do whatever it could to serve the stricken community. Colonel F.R. Southmayd, of the New Orleans branch of t the Red Cross, was instructed to enlist in that city a body of immune nurses, and take them to Florida; and on the evening of September 8th he2 Florida arrived at Jacksonville with fourteen of these much desired helpers, having left several of his party at another point enroute, as will be explained further on. Sixteen more Red Cross nurses arrived on the following morning, making a total of thirty, who were put to work thus early in the epidemic. General orders to be ready if called upon were telegraphed to the Red Cross organizations throughout the country. In Washington headquarters had been established at the Riggs House, where the Central Committee under my direction was in constant session. One of the principal duties of the Washington Committee, aside from the general direction of affairs, was to deal with the good hearted people of the north who felt that they must go to Florida, and who had by some means gotten the idea that they must have our pass in order to get through the shot gun quarantine that had been established all around the infected districts. We held back hundreds who otherwise would have been food and fuel for the merciless scourge. Through our southern agencies the Red Cross continued to send as they were called for scores of trained, immune nurses, who did a work that man could rejoice at and the angels smile upon. But their pathway was not always strewn with roses; and I regret to say that even on this field of suffering and death the ignoble feelings of jealousy and hatred were shown by a few of those who should at such a time have been entirely absorbed in their duties to the needy, and whose thoughts should have been above things so small as race prejudice and professional jealousy. It is well known and generally acknowledged throughout the south that the old "black mammies" who were born and have lived all their days in the gulf states, are among the best yellow fever nurses; and in some 3 Florida Epidemic families confidence in their ability to handle this disease is so great that no doctor is ever called upon; and the families proudly boast of the success that these respected and beloved old servants have had in treating the afflicted members of their households. Colonel Southmayd, a Southerner born and bread, was a man of hot blood and intense feelings; his heart was warm with the love of humanity and sense of justice. He had been identified with the old Howard Association, a benevolent organization of New Orleans, almost from its inception and had worked through every epidemic of fever or other disease that had afflicted the south since the war; and he knew full well the value of the services of his chosen nurses. He strongly resented the injustice that was shown to his black contingents, and became involved in an unfortunate altercation with the head of the State Board of Health. In order to restore peace and remove an impediment to effective work, I requested the Colonel to come to Washington and assist the Central Committee. I went south myself, and finding that everything was now running smoothly, and that any ankind inclinations were being smothered, it was unnecessary for me to do much more than to meet the needs of our people, and wawait the end of the epidemic. I had made a personal donation of one thousand dollars for the benefit of the fever sufferers, and the Red Cross societies of the country having been under a heavy expense in providing in various ways for the contingencies of the epidemic, I had hoped that the salaries of the Red Cross doctors and nurses might be paid out of the princely contributions that the people of the country had sent the Jacksonville Committee for that purpose, and of which after all other expenses had been paid there4 Florida Epidemic still remained a handsome surplus. But I was disappointed; and it became necessary for the Red Cross to pay out over four thousand dollars for these services, which sum was made up by the members of that organization. To these faithful doctors and nurses, whose services were forgotten [by the general public] almost as soon as their work [was finished]. I wish to put in enduring words in this record my appreciation and gratitude for their skill and faithfulness, which never varied under the most discouraging conditions. It would be difficult to imagine a service requiring greater heroism than that displayed by men and women who thus go into an infected city to face the danger of a terrible and fatal disease. As some one has said: "The man who goes into battle is cheered by the fierce joy of conflict, and may be oblivious of danger; but the man or woman who goes to the bedside of a patient stricken with a terrible contagious disease, faces death calmly, with no other support than that of the sense of duty." Timid people may take such risks when the 11% of some one near and dear to them is at stake, but these nurses of the Red Cross risked their lives in order to render services to entire strangers. It was a brave and noble act, and those capable of it deserved to have their names inscribed on the lists of the world's heroes. While the fever was raging at Jacksonville, refugees who had fled from the city carried the plague to several smaller places in the surrounding country, where in some instances it acquired quite a foothold; but owing their obscurity and the lack of communication with the outsid world, they were left alone to fight the disease as best they could. Among these places was the little town of MacClenny, Where as soon as it became known that there was a case of fever within its limits all trains were ordered to rush through without stopping, and an armed quarantine was placed around it with ordersto shoot anyone attempting to leave the town. Thus left to their fate, without doctors, nurses or food, in any 5 Florida Epidemic quantity, their situation was pitiable. There were a number of volunteers who had made attempts to get into MacClenny, but owing to the unreasoning panic existing, they were not permitted to enter the place. Colonel Southmayd had heard of these neglected people, and he succeeded while enroute to Jacksonville in dropping off ten nurses and some much needed supplies at MacClenny. How he did this I have told in a little brochure that was issued at the close of the year 1888 as a holiday greeting, and intended as a public acknowledgement of the appreciation in which the Red Cross held those noble men and women who braved everything that they might serve their stricken brethren. The title page bore this inscription: 17 Florida Epidemic The fever spread during the fall to several points in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and resulted in the usual panic and flight [from] many [places]; but happily the disease got no great headway before Jack Frost put an end to its career. It was late in November when we closed this work; worn and disheartened as were by both the needful and the needless hardships of the campaign, we were glad of the two or three months in which no call for action was made upon us. (This follows the Florida Epidemic story) THE JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA FLOOD. During the winter of 1888-89 there was no calls for our assistance, and we remained quietly at hoje, making our reports and attending to the routine business of the organization. On the 30th of May the knell of disaster rang over the entire world, and we were sharply reminded that the need of the Red Cross is ever present, and that its members must hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. The news of the awful calamity of Johnstown, Penna., with all its horrors, appalled us; and so frightful and improbably were the reports, that it required twenty-four hours to satisfy ourselves that it was not a canard. In order to get an intelligent idea of this disaster and the terrible damage wrought by the irresistible waters, it may well be fore me to give a short sketch of the city of Johnstown and its adjacent surroundings. Before the flood there were fully thirty thousand people in this busy community, which embraced the city of Johnstown proper and several suburbs. The city is situated on a T-shaped plain at the junction of Stony Creek and the Little Conemaugh River, forming the Conemaugh River. These streams are liable to sudden freshets, and owing the contraction of the waterway in the lower part of the city by the dumping of cinders and slag from the large iron works on the banks of the stream, and also encroachments by riparian owners, the upper portion of the city is liable in inundations. About nine miles above the city a dam had been thrown across the little ConemaughRiver many years ago for commercial purposes, but had been abandoned and the site with much surrounding property had been subsequently purchased by a sporting club of Pittsburg, whose membership embraced some of the wealthiest citizens of that city and of other parts of Pennsylvania. Those gentlemen were attracted by the picturesque scenery, and the hunting and the fishing of the vicinity, and they spent thousands of dollars in improving and beautifying their holdings. The dam was greatly enlarged until it held an immense body of water covering many acres, and was said to be seventy feet deep in some places. This large mass of water was a constant source of fear to the inhabitants of the lower valleys, who were fully aware of the danger that threatens them; and many protests were made against the continuance of this danger, but owing to the prominence of the owners of the dam, and the strong social and political influence they exerted, they remained unmolested in the possession of the monster that was to break its bounds and carry death and destruction in its pathway for a hundred miles or more. A steady rainfall for several days in the latter part of May caused overflows in all the streams in western Pennsylvania, and much of the city of Johnstown was already under water to a depth of from two to ten feet, when suddenly the dam over the little Conemaugh gave way, and its floods, making a wave said to have been fully thirty feet high, was precipitated upon the doomed city. [Quite a number] of the inhabitants, who had carried the fear of this disaster in their minds for years, had become so alarmed by the long continued ruins, and the floods that were already upon them, that they took their families and fled to the high grounds on the hillsides. But the great majority of the people, who, though fully aware of the danger, had lived with it for so long that they had become careless and indifferent, [and took no precaution whatever. These] were overwhelmed by the tide almost without warning, and before they could seek safety [were swept away, and many were swallowed by the angry waters.] The number of lives lost will never be accurately known; but in all probability it reached in the entire valley nearly six thousand. The recorded number of deaths was between two thousand and three thousand, but as the record was kept at only one place and was not satisfactory, and knowing the number people in the valley and the destructive havoc of the flood, it is fair to believe that the number of victims was fully twice that given in the record. The flood annihilated everything in its path, changing the entire face of the country over which its destructive waters ran, no that it was afterwards a matter of much trouble and dispute to locate the boundaries of properties. It is said that property to the amount of twelve million dollars was absolutely lost, with no possible hopes of recompense. It was a the moment of supreme affliction when we arrived at Johnstown. The waters had subsided, and those of the inhabitants who had escaped the fate of their fellows, were gazing over the scene of destruction and trying to arouse themselves from the lethargy that had taken hold of them when they were stunned by the realizationof all the woe that had been visited upon them. How nobly they responded to the call of duty! How much of the heroic there is in our people when it is needed! No idle murmurings of fate, but true to the god-like instincts of manhood and fraternal love, they quickly banded together to do the best that the wisest among them could suggest. For five weary months it was our portion to live amid the scenes of destruction, desolation, poverty, want and woe; sometimes in tents sometimes without; and so much rain and mud, and such a lack of the commonest comforts for a time until we could build houses to shelter ourselves and those around us. Without a safe and with a dry goods box for a desk, we conducted financial affairs in money and material to the extent of nearly half a million dollars. I shall never lose the memory of my first walk on the first day-- the wading in mud, the climbing over broken engines, cars, heaps of iron rollers, broken timbers, wrecks of houses; bent railway tracks tangle with piles of iron wire; bands of workmen, squads of military, and getting around the bodies of dead animals, and often people being borne away; the smouldering fires and drizzling rain--all for the purpose of officially announcing to the commanding general (for the place was under martial law) that the Red Cross had arrived in the field. I could not have puzzled General Hastings more if I had addressed him in Chinese, and if ours had been truly an Oriental mission, the gallant soldier could not have been more gallant and kind. He immediately set about devising means for making as comfortable as possible a "poor, lone woman, helpless of course, upon such a field. It was with considerable difficulty that I could convince him that the Red Cross had a way of taking care of itself at least, and was not likely to suffer from neglect. I don't believe he quite got over his mistrust until a week later, when car loads of lumber from Iowa and Illinois began to come in consigned to the President of the Red Cross. Then as this was the only lumber that had come in, the military were constrained to borrow from us in order to erect quarters in which to entertain the Governor of the State on the occasion of his first visit. Our first duty was to study the situation and take up the line of relief as necessities developed and opportunities presented, Western Pennsylvania and Ohio had been "instant in season". Pittsburg had mainly provided for the survivors who were injured. Ohio had sent its troops under its efficient Adjutant General Axline; and food, the first necessity, was literally pouring in from every source. But the where-with-all to put and keep clothes upon this denuded city full of people, and something to sleep on at night was a problem; and the shelter for them, a present impossibility. The possible must be attempted. The first days brought in despatches and letters to the amount of about a hundred a day, tendering sympathy, offering help, and giving notice of material and money sent. We were then living in tents and working literally night and day, some of us at work allthe time. From one mammoth tent, which served as a warehouse, food and clothing were given out to this waiting people through the hands of such volunteer agents, both women and men, as I scarcely dare hope to ever see gathered together in one work again. The great cry which had gone out had aroused the entire country, and our old-time helpers, full of rich experience and still richer love for the work, faithful to the cross of humanity as the devotee to the cross of the Master, came up from every point--the floods, the cyclones, the batt-fields--and kneeling before the shrine, pledged heart and service anew to the work. Fair hands laying aside their diamonds, and business men their cares, left homes of elegance and luxury to open rough boxes and barr rels, handle second-hand clothing, eat coarse food, at rough board tables, sleep on cots under a dripping canvass tent, all for the love of humanity symbolized in the little flag that floated above them. Clergymen left their pulpits, and laymen their charge to tramp over the hillsides from hoses to house, find who needed and suffered, and to carry them from out tents on their shoulders like beasts of burden, the huge bundles of relief, where no beast of burden could reach. Let it not supposed that all this was accomplished without perplexity to someone. Goods came in from many sources of transport, five entries by freight and express requiring to be constantly watched; for strange to say, there is no work in which people grow more reckless, selfish and jealous, then in distribution of chari- ties. Persons outside grew anxious that the receipt of goods was not acknowledged before they were received; that checks were not drawn and returned before the bank safes were out of the mud; and that houses were not built and the people living in them before it was possible to find a cleared spot for a little tent in which a workman would sleep at night. We finally found space, however, for the erection of a pine warehouse, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions in the center of the old town. The building was put up in four days, and, still in the rain, our accumulation of supplies was removed to it on the first of July. We had been early requested by official resolution of the Finance Committee of the City of Johnstown to aid them in the erection of houses. We accepted the invitation, and at the same time proposed to aid in furnishing the nucleus of a household for the homes which should be in any way made up. This aid seemed imperative, as nothing was left for them to commence living with, neither beds, chairs, tables nor cooking utensils of any kind; and there were few of any stores open, and no furniture in town. It now became possible to more fully systematize the work; and a committee of Johnstown ladies of every denomination was formed, at our request, to receive the people and ascertain their greatest wants, which were carefully noted on printed blanks to be returned to us. These wants we undertook to fill without further trouble to the people themselves. The result of this committee's work was the written requestsof three thousand families, aggregating eighteen thousand persons, to be served, in addition to two thousand others whom we had previously promised to help. The great manufacturers of the country, and the heavy contributing agents, on learning our intentions, sent, without a hint from us, many of their articles, as for instance, New Bedford, Mass., sent mattresses and bedding; Sheboygan, Wisconsin sent furniture and enameled ironware; Titusville, Penna., with a population of ten thousand, sent ten thousand dollars worth of well-made bedsteads, springs, estension tables, chairs, stands and rockers; and the well known New York Newspaper, "The Mail and Express", sent a large lot of mattresses, feather pillows, bedclothing, sheets, and pillow slips by the thousand, and cooking utensils by ten thousands. Six large teams were in constant service delivering these goods. When the contributions slackened or ceased, and more material were needed, we purchased of the same firms which had contributed, keeping our stock good until all applications were filled. The record on our books showed that over twenty-five thousand persons had been directly served by us. They had received our help independently and without begging. No child has learned to beg at the doors of the Red Cross. Meanwhile our building contracts were not neglected. It is to be borne in mind that the fury of the deluge had swept almost entirely the homes of the wealthy, the elegant, the cultured leaders of society, and the fathers of the town. This class who were spared, were more painfully hopeless than the indigent poor, who could still huddle in together. they could not go away, for the suffering and demoralized town needed their care and oversight more than ever before. These was no home for them, nowhere to get a meal of food or to sleep. Still they must work on, and the stranger coming to town on business must go unfed, and return to Cresson at night, if he would sleep, or, indeed, escape being picked up by the military guard. To meet these necessities, and being apprehensive that some good lives might go out under the existing lack of accommodations, it was decided to erect a building similar to our warehouse. The use of the former site of the Episcopal Church was generously tendered us by the Bishop early in June, for any purpose we might decide. This house, which was known as the "Locust Street REd Cross Hotel", stood some fifty rods from our warehouse, and was fifty by one hundred and sixteen feet in dimensions, two stories in height, with lantern roof, built of hemlock, single siding, papered inside with heavy building paper, and heated by natural gas, as all our buildings paper, and heated by natural gas, as all our buildings were. It consisted of thirty-four rooms, besides kitchen, laundry, bath rooms with hot and cold water, and one main dining hall and sitting room through the center, sixteen feet in width by one hundred in length. It was fully furnished with excellent beds, bedding bureaus, teables, chairs and all needful housekeeping furniture. A completent landlady, who like the rest, had a few weeks before floated(Insert in the Johnstown Flood Story.) The conception of the need of this house, and the method of selecting its inmates, and the manner of inducing them into their new home were somewhat unique and may be of interest to the reader. I had noticed among the brave and true men who were working in the mud and rain many refined [looking] gentlemen, who were before this great misfortune carried away most of their worldly belongings, the wealthiest and most influential citizens. Never having had to struggle amid such hardships and deprivations, their sufferings were more actue than those of the poorer and more hardy people; and it did not require any great foresight to know that they were physically incapable of such labor if prolonged, nor to predict their early sickness and death if they were not properly housed and fed. As the salvation of the town depended in a great measure upon the efforts of these men, it was vitally necessary that their lives should be preserved; and all the [illegible] it occured to me that the most important thing to do, next to feeding the hungry, was to provide proper shelter for these delicate men and their families. The idea once conceived was soon communicated to my staff, and after due consideration, ti was put in the way of realization. It was decided that we should erect the house as quickly as possible, furnish it completely, and when ready, invite the citizens to a reception within its hospitable walls. The arrangement was carried out, and a printed invitation was issued, of which the following is a fac simile: (Insert Invitation (2 Johnstown Insert.) On the afternoon of July 30th. hundreds of citizens called on us and congratulations and good wishes were the order of the day. AS the members of each family whom we had selected to occupy apartments in the house arrived, they were quietly taken aside and requested to remain and have dinner with us. After all the guests were departed except those who had been requested to remain, dinner was announced, and the party [was] seated by the members of the Red Cross. Beside the plate of each head of a family [were] laid the keys to an apartment, with a card inviting the family to take possession at once, and remain as long as they chose. I cannot describe the scene that followed; there were tears and broken voices; suffice to say, the members of that household were made happy and comfortable for many long months; and I venture to assert that those now living recall those days with the fondest recollections. (End of the Johnstown insert)down over that same ground on the roof of her house in thirty feet of water, was placed in charge, with instructions to keep a good house, make what she could rent free, but charging no Johnstown person over twenty-five cents for a meal of food. This was the first attempt at social life after that terrible separation, and its success [cannot be described] was something that I am very proud of. The house was full of townspeople from the first day, and strangers no longer looked in vain for accommodations. [*(Insert house story)*] This revealed a want so great, that a second house of the same dimensions and qualities was erected just across the river, known as the "Kernville Red Cross Hotel". Another competent landlady was installed in charge, who had not only lost her home, but her beautiful daughter of twenty years. This house was also filled and a fourth house of forty by one hundred feet was next build in the form of a block, the families living separately, for the accommodation of the working people of Woodvale, where no house was left. This was known as the "Red Cross Block", or "Woodvale House". There was no rent to pay for accommodations in this house, the only cost to the tenant being for fire, lights and living. Johnstown had neither a hospital nor an alms house--never had-its poor being taken to Ebensville, twenty miles distant. Under ordinary circumstances this might do, but with the scant poor homes of this winter we felt it to be unsafe, and saw that better provision should be made. Accordingly the use of some half-dozen unset portable houses, known as the "Oklahomas" was asked of the Flood Commission, and erected adjoining our warehouse, as separate wards connected by a covered way, and provided with an adjoining house of eighteen by thirty feet, two stories high, for kitchen, dining, store, sleeping and living rooms for the use of the wards and attendants. These were all fully equipped and warmed for the accommodation of thirty patients, with the best of new outfit, and [was] the hospital known as the "Johnstown infirmary". These things accomplished, there remained but one more danger to be guarded against. The citizens still had no organization of their own for the relief of their needy people through the coming winter, and no protection against any alarming report which might be sprung upon them. Any sensational writer could still, if he chose to, report two hundred cases of typhoid fever in Johnstown, alarming the whole country, with not a case of genuine typhoid there, and there were none to say him nay; or that itsspeople were freezing or starving, with nowhere the authority to correct the misstatement. This protection was needed, not alone for Johnstown, but the people at large as well. A few well-timed suggestions were sufficient. The meetings were held in our house and some of the leading men and women of the city effected a permanent organization to be incorporated under the name of the "Benevolent Union of Conemaugh Valley". This completed, we had only to turn over to their hands, asthe leaders of the town, the entire remaining stock of our warehouse, amounting to some thousands of dollars; the care of the infirmary; one our trained clerks, with all papers and accounts of our relief work from the day of its inception; one of our experienced working men to handle transportation, fit up for them large, warm rooms for winter use; give them our blessing; accept theirs in fullest measure; say good by to them and to our faithful helpers, with heavy hearts and chocking voices and return to our home, bearing the record of [the] a few months of faithful endeavor among a people as patient and brave as people are made, as noble and grateful as falls to the lot of human nature to be. Enterprising, industrious, and hopeful, the new Johnstown, phoenix-like, rose from its ruins more beautiful than the old, with a ceaseless throb of grateful memory for every kind act rendered, and every thought of sympathy given her in her great hour of desolation and woe. God bless her, and God bless all who helped save her. We had employed during our sojourn in Johnstown a working force of fifty men and women, whom we had houses, fed and paid, with the exception of the volunteers who worked for the good they could do and would accept nothing. The means which we so largely handled came from everywhere; accounts were rendered for everything, and no word of business complication every came to us. There never has in all our work. There was much to do in Johnstown after we left; buildings to remove and property to care for when it had served its purpose and the ground became needed. But there is always a right time for any benevolent work to cease; a time when the community is ready to resume its own burdens, and when an offered charity is an insult to the honest and independent, and a degradation to the careless and improvident, tending to pauperize and make them an added burden on their better-minded fellow citizens. And then the moment the tradesman is able to reestablish himself he looks with jealous eyes on any agency that diverts possible business from his channels. So it is not only wise but just to all concerned to withdraw all gratuities from a people the instant they are able to gain even the meagrest self-support A rather curious circumstance, somewhat on the line of this reflection, fell to our lot after leaving Johnstown. The houses that we had built and furnished were indispensable to the tenants during the winter, when there were no other houses to be had; but in the spring the city rejuvenated began to build up again, and we were notified that the land on which our large houses were standing was needed by the owners, who wished to use it for their own purposes, and they requested the Red Cross to remove its building. I promptly sent an agent to attend to the matter, and he began the work of vacating the premises. There was no hardship involved in this, as all the tenants were by this time in condition to pay rent, and there were houses that they could get; so in a few days our houses were empty. Then a new factor entered into the situation. When it became generally known that the Red Cross was to tear down these immense houses, andthat all the families who had been living in them were to seek and establish new homes; and that an immense quantity of lumber and house furnishings were to be disposed of, the self-interests of the dealers in those commodities were at once aroused, and they strongly protested against the gratuitous distribution of these articles among the people of Johnstown; asserting that the inhabitants were now prospering, and had the means to buy everything they needed, and that a gift from us of any of these articles would be an injustice to honest traders who were trying to reestablish themselves. Of course we saw the justice of their contention, and gave assurances that satisfied them, as well as others who were not quite of their way of thinking; but in order to do this, the Red Cross was put to an additional expense that nearly doubled the original cost of the articles concerned. As the Red Cross never sells anything, and as there were [was] no available storage facilities at Johnstown, it was imperatively necessary that we should remove this mass of unneeded accumulations to some other point where it could be properly house[s]d until such time as there might be some call for it. Despite all that had been done for the people of Johnstown during the year past, there were naturally a few who had not gotten fully established, and who had not the means or the credit necessary to get many household articles that our bounty had furnished them temporarily; and who would be compelled to suffer for these necessities if a way were not found to relieve them. History does not record the fact that any of them suffered needlessly; nor that more than a comparatively small proportion of the troublesome remains of our stock were removed elsewhere. The continued prosperity of the busy little city proves that a little honest deception in favor of its needy poor did not impair the prosperity of its commercial organizations. Notwithstanding the fact that we took away from Johnstown as little material and furniture as was possible,after quietly disposing of the greater part of it, and this at an added expense, which we could ill afford at that time, there were some cavilers, who could not understand why we should take anything away, and their unkind misconstruction and criticisms have scarcely ceased echoing even to this late day. But it is ever the same wherever we go or whatever we do; there is always an aftermath of attempted relief where none is needed; and more or less criticism or our wok, for it is always so much easier to say how a thing ought to be done than it is to do it. These little unpleasantnesses, however, cannot deprive us of the thousand memories of gratitude, appreciation, and kindnesses exchanged, which were mutually needful and helpful; nor of the many lifelong friendships formed that will bless us all our days. I may perhaps be pardoned for quoting a few lines from the official report of the Johnstown Flood Finance Committee, as showing how these gentlemen, the foremost men in the community, regarded our efforts to give them a helping hand: In this matter of sheltering the people, as in others of like importance, Miss Clara Barton, President of the Red Cross Association, was most helpful. At a time when there was a doubt if the Flood Commission could furnish houses of suitable character, and with the requisite promptness, she offered to assume charge, and she erected with the funds of the Association three large apartment houses, which afforded comfortable lodgings for many houseless people. She was among the first to arrive on the scene of calamity, bringing with her Dr.Hubbell, the Field Officer of the Red Cross Association, relief work in every form, disposing of the large resources under her control with such wisdom and tenderness that the charity of the Red Cross had no sting, and its recipients are not Miss Barton's dependents, but her friends. She was also the last of the ministering spirits to leave the scene of her labors, and she left her apartment houses for use during the winter, and turned over her warehouse with its store of furniture, bedding, and clothing and a well-equipped infirmary to the Union Benevolent Association of the Conemaugh Valley, the organization of which she advised and helped to form; and its lady visitors have so well performed their work that the dreaded winter had no terrors, mendicancy has been repressed, and not a single case of unrelieved suffering is known to [the] have occurred in all the flooded district. The Johnstown Daily Tribune was one of the enterprising and reliable papers of the unfortunate little city, which, though drowned out, would not stay dead, and insisted on "pulling itself together", and cheering the people along in their efforts to reestablish their homes and their fortunes. On the eve of our departure the Tribune published an editorial which we are fain to believe reflected the feelings of the people, and which was as follows: FAREWELL TO MISS BARTON. How shall we thank Miss Clara Barton and the Red Cross for the help they have given us? It cannot be done; and if it could, Miss Barton does not want our thanks. She has simply done her duty as she saw it and received her pay--the consciousness of a duty performed to the best of her ability. To see us upon our feet, strugglin forward, helping ourselves, caring for the sick and infirm and impoverished-- that is enough for Miss Barton. Her idea has been fully worked out, all her plans accomplished. What more could such a woman wish? We cannot thank Miss Barton in words. Hunt the dictionaries of all languages through and you will not find the signs to express our appreciation of her and her work. Try to describe the sunshine. Try to describe the starlight. Words fail, and in dumbness and silence we bow to the Idea which brought her here. God and humanity! ' Never were they more closely linked than in stricken Johnstown. Men are brothers! Yes, and sisters, too, if Miss Barton pleases. The first to come, the last to go, she has indeed been an Elder Sister to us--nursing, soothing, tending, caring for the stricken ones through a season of distress such as no other people ever knew--such as, God grant! no other people may ever know. The idea crystallized, put into practice. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." "Even as ye have done it unto the least of these, so also have ye done it unto Me!" Christianity applied, Nature appeased and satisfied. This has been Miss Barton's work, and nobly has she done it. Picture the sunlight or the starlight, and then try to say good-by to Miss Barton. As well try to escape from yourself by running to the mountains. "I go, but I return." is as true of her as of him who said it. There is really no parting. She is with us, she will be with us always--the spirit of her work even after she has passed away. But we can say God bless you, and we do say it, Miss Barton, from the bottom of our hearts, one and all.INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETIES. Since the formation of the Geneva Treaty in 1864, when the Red Cross came into existence as a permanent organization, it has been the custom of the International Committee, which is located at Geneva, to invite the various national organization of the world to meet in conference as often as questions thought to be of sufficient importance to warrant a general interchange of ideas should come up for discussion and decision. The results of these deliberations have been carefully formulated into resolutions, articles, rules and regulations for the general warfare of all concerned; and have been of immeasurable good to the world at large. The first of these conferences was held at Geneva in 1864; the next at Berlin in 1868. The American Red Cross was only organized in 1882, and consequently did not take part in these meetings; but it was our proud privilege to be invited to the Third International Conference of the Societies of the Red Cross, held at Geneva, Switzerland, September 1 to 6, inclusive, 1884. On our return to the United States we made a report to President Arthur as follows: Third International Conference of the Red Cross. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 21, 1885. MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to present herewith, in behalf of myself and associate delegates appointed by you, under the authority of the act approved July 7, 1884, to represent the United States at the Third International Conference of the Societies of the Red Cross held in Geneva, Switzerland, September 1 to 6, inclusive, 1884, the following preliminary report. The United States, not having given its adhesion to the Convention of Geneva known as the Red Cross, until March 1, 1882, its participation by delegates in two previous conferences held in 1864 and 1868 was one of courtesy, while on this occasion it was for the first time represented of right as a party to the Convention. The delegates to whom you intrusted the honor, Mr. President, of representing the United States, were received and treated with marked courtesy alike by the International Committee, their associate delegates from other countries, and also by the municipal authorities of Geneva. The Conference assembled in the auditorium of the University of Geneva, and was presided over by Mr. Gustave Moynier, of Geneva, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, assisted by vice-presidents representing six of the great nations. The American delegates served on various of the more important committees, and took active part in the discussions, as will more fully appear in the supplement to this report. Of the twenty-nine nations which are parties to the treaty of Geneva, the following were officially represented by delegates and envoys; Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Servia, Spain, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, and the United States. The aggregate number of delegates attending the Conference, including those representing Red Cross societies, was eighty-six. The subjects proposed for discussion by the Conference was arranged under three heads, embracing sixteen topics, as follows: I. - SUBJECTS RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE ACTIVITY OF RED CROSS SOCIETIES IN TIMES OF PEACE. No. 1. Founding and organizing subcommittees and committees of women. No. 2. Preparation of sanitary material. Nos. 3 and 4. Instruction of voluntary aids and their control. No. 5. Intervention of the Red Cross in calamities other than war. II. - SUBJECTS RELATING SPECIALLY TO TIMES OF WAR. No. 6. Determining the official relations that should exist between Red Cross societies and the military authorities. No. 7. Delegates of societies and their relation to general army headquarters. No. 8. Action of the International Committee on the battle-field. No. 9. How the assistance of army surgeons of neutral powers may be availed of for the services of belligerents. No. 10. The aid of residents adjacent to the battle-field. No. 11. Registering and identifying the dead and wounded. No. 12. What part European societies shall take in non European wars. No. 13. Action of societies in civil wars. Nos. 14 and 15. Application of the Convention of Geneva to maritime wars. III. - SUBJECTS OF A GENERAL CHARACTER. Nos. 16 and 17. Relation of central committees to one another. Nos. 18, 19, and 20. Misuse of the insignia and name of the Red Cross. No. 21. Popularizing the Convention of Geneva. Of the above, No. 14, relating to the Red Cross in maritime war (naval engagements), was withdrawn; No. 15, referring to the same subject, was postponed, and Nos. 17, 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, owing to lim-[THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS. 3] limited time, could not be discussed; while the remaining topics, after receiving mature consideration and eliciting at times spirited debate, were in brief disposed of by the Conference, as follows: No. 1. What is the best method of organizing, in times of peace, local subcommittees and committees of ladies? What is the best means of encouraging their organization? Upon this proposition, submitted by the representatives of Belgium, the Conference voted that - A general plan for the organization of voluntary relief, approved by all states, does not exist. Such organization is governed by national and local conditions. The co-operation of committees of ladies in the work of the Red Cross is indispensable. No. 2. If it is incumbent upon societies to provide themselves in times of peace with the material they need in case of war, what are the articles with which it is most desirable they should provide themselves? Upon this proposition, presented by representatives of Germany, the Conference voted: Resolution No. 4 of the Conference of 1863 (in times of peace the committees and their societies are to prepare all manner of relief material) is reaffirmed. The societies of the Red Cross, and especially those upon whom, by regulations of their own or officially, is devolved the exclusive charge of an important part of the sanitary service, should take the requisite steps to secure an adequate quantity of material of a character suited to the needs of every occasion for which they might be called into service, in particular to meet the first wants; and they should at all events be sure to provide such material beforehand and have it on hand, in order that the general organization may not be hampered in its operations. No. 3. What measures should be taken in times of peace to assure in the eventuality of war an instructed corps and an adequate number of nurses of both sexes for field hospitals, retreating columns and hospital trains, for points where sick and wounded are placed upon or taken from railroad trains, and finally for supply depots? No. 4. What means should the societies employ in order that corps of nurses, instructed in times of peace under their auspices and at their expense, should be subject to their disposition in time of war? Upon these joint topics presented by the representatives of Germany the Conference voted: The Conference recommends: Societies in preparing for the eventualities of war are to be guided in this matter by the following suggestions: (a) Provide for the transport-corps of the wounded, organized in times of peace, suitable employment fully as much for testing and pressing the lessons they have learned as for habituating them to the discipline to which they must necessarily be subjected. (b) Secure for such purpose in all countries, where it is possible and has not been done, the services of societies of veterans, as they embrace excellent material for volunteer porters of the wounded, inasmuch as they are naturally themselves interested in sick and wounded comrades in arms. (c) When examining into the qualifications of nurses, while giving consideration to their intellectual and moral standing, account should also be taken of their health, in order that they may prove physically able to perform the services which may be demanded of them. (d) To organize into associations men professionally engaged in the care of the sick and invalid, for the purpose of- 1. Firmly upholding the sentiment of professional honor. 2. Securing against the uncertainties of the future those who, in the exercise of their calling, might be rendered partially or wholly incapable of self-support. This is attainable by the organization of mutual accident-insurance companies. (e) Assign in times of peace all persons to the special sections to which they would be attached and to the particular kind of duty developing upon them in case of their being called into active service upon the mobilization of military forces, in order thus to maintain a familiarity with the line of work they would thus be expected to perform. [4 THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS] (f) To organize and maintain a reliable reserve corps of sufficient membership to immediately supplement eventual vacancies, and so provide against any impairment of relief service. No. 5. What is the experience of societies relative to their intervention in great public calamities other than war? Upon this inquiry, presented by the representatives of Switzerland, the Conference voted: The scope of Red Cross relief societies enables them in times of peace to participate to the utmost in humanitarian work akin to that devolving upon them in times of war, and to this end they may render aid in the event of public calamities which, as is the case in war demand prompt and well-organized help. No. 6. In time of war, what are the relations it is proper to establish between the military authorities and the societies? Upon this inquiry, presented by the representatives of Belgium, the Conference voted: (a) It is not practicable to establish by international regulations the relations that should exist between state and its volunteer aid. (b) It is desirable in each country that the organizations of the red cross make known in due form its legal status. No. 8. The International Committee in times of war should, in the exercise of its functions, give, without distinction of nationality, preference to the sick and wounded of the army in retreat. This proposition reintroduced by representatives of Russia, it was voted by the Conference to submit to all of the central committees, so that they might give it the requisite study and proper investigation to permit of its being acted on at the next International Conference. No. 9. In the event of the International Conference failing to take definite action in the premises, how can the assistance of the army surgeons of of non-belligerents be made available in the field hospitals of belligerents? Upon this inquiry, presented by representatives of Germany, the Conference voted: The desire expressed by the Conference held in Berlin in 1869 is renewed in substance as follow: The Governments which are parties to the Convention of Geneva are requested to accede to and incorporate as an additional article to the Convention of Geneva the paragraph- "In the event of war, non-belligerent powers to place at the disposition of belligerents army surgeons who can be spared from the service, as ordinarily constituted, without detriment, to the care of the wounded in hospitals. Surgeons so sent will be subject to the orders of the belligerent army to which they are assigned." No. 11. What measured should be taken by representatives of Germany, the Conference voted: (a) Each national committee should, by all means within its power, endeavor to prevail upon the army of its countyr to adopt some insignia of identity for its soldiers. (b) The Conference expresses the earnest wish that the commanders-in-chief of belligerent armies, by proclamation or general orders, make known to the denizens within the seat of war the penalties persons incur who plunder or mutilate the dead and wounded. No. 16. What general principles should govern the relations and communications of the committees among themesleves? No. 17. How can the communication so indispensable with relief societies in times of war be established and maintained between the contending armies? Upon these questions which had been presented at a previous Convention 5 ference by representatives of Italy and Austria, and had been deferred to the present, the International Committee of Geneva submitted the following memoranda: A. - The International Bulletin, published in Geneva, serves as a useful organ of the relief societies for sick and wounded soldiers. These societies should actively cooperate in supplying matter for its contents, and themselves jointly assume all expense of its publication over and above the proceeds realized from subscription, should the same prove insufficient. B. - Periodical conferences of the central committees are desirable for the discussion of general questions, and to promote the personal relations between the members of the various societies. C. - The central or national committee, while remaining absolutely independent of one another in all that relates to their individual organization, must, on the other hand, for general purposes, consider themselves united by the bonds of a close union, and recognize the obligations which are the result thereof. D. - Independently of the central or national committees, it is well in the general interests of the Red Cross to maintain an international committee upon whom shall more especially devolve - (a) The labor of maintaining and developing the relations of the central committees among themselves. (b) Giving publicity to the constitutions of new societies after first having satisfied itself as to the principles upon which they are based. (c) Establishing in time of war an international headquarters, whence shall issue all requisite orders and information for the transmission of all kinds of supplies to the sick and wounded of the belligerent armies. E- In times of war the international committee, from its headquarters located near the belligerents, should regulate the relations between relief societies and maintain their intercourse. In addition to these memoranda presented by the International Committee,the central committee of Russia submitted upon these questions the following proposition: While taught by the experience of eighteen years' existence, as also by that of recent wars, to recognize the valuable service rendered to sick and wounded soldiers by the various mans of relief belligerent armies have been supplied with during hostilities, the central committee of the Red Cross of Russia furthermore realizes the absolute necessity of an entirely neutral international institution, whose authority shall be respected by the powers, party to the Convention of Geneva,and constitute a reliable bond of union among the societies of the Red Cross. It therefore proposes that the central committees prepare a plan for the organization of such an institution, which, upon being completed, they shall submit to their respective Governments for examination. Upon these findings of the International Committee of Geneva and the propositions of the central committee of Russia the Conference voted: The proposition of the central committee of Russia and the conclusions submitted by the International Committee are to be placed before all of the central committees so that they may be duly studied and investigated, and at the next Conference be passed upon; until then the International Committee as now constituted shall continue to act. No. 18. What steps have or should be taken by the societies to prevent both in times of peace and of war the misuse of the Convention's insignia of a red cross upon a white field? Upon this the Conference voted: It is the earnest desire of the Conference that, by legislation or in some other equally effective manner, energetic steps be taken to prevent the misuse of the Convention's insignia of a red cross on a white field. No. 22 . Establishing and developing a superior grade of instruction for directoresses of ambulances. Upon this subject the Conference voted: The Conference recommends relief societies in times of peace, to promote or provide instruction for women calculated to fit them to take supervisory charge of post am- 6 bulances and permanent hospitals of the Red Cross; such instructions to be of a character that will qualify them effectively to assist physicians and surgeons, intelligently administer prescriptions, and execute directions concerning the hygiene of hospital wards and the treatment of invalids. No. 23. The necessity of establishing between central committees an exchange of drawings, designs, and descriptions of ambulance material. The Conference voted upon this topic as follows: Referring to the resolutions passed at Berlin in 1869, the Conference expresses the wish that each central committee make a collection of drawings, designs, engravings, or photographs, put up in the form of an album of suitable size, conveying a complete idea of its own entire ambulance material, and also that of the military service of its country, one copy of such album to be exchanged with or forwarded to each central national committee and one to each Government that is a party to the treaty of Geneva. An exchange of this kind would have the effect of making generally known what at present is only local, and would tend eventually, it is hoped, to being about a uniformity of ambulance materials. The Conference furthermore suggests the appointment of an international commission charged with the study of models of ambulance material. The Conference suggests also that the dimensions of litters be made uniform in all armies, and postpones for consideration at its next meeting the question whether it is advisable to establish international museums of ambulance material. In addition to the action taken by the Conference upon the various topics presented for consideration in its regular programme as above briefly recited, the following resolutions were passed and duly inscribed upon its record: I. The Conference, before entering upon its deliberations, expresses to the International Committee of Geneva its warmest thanks and mos sincere appreciation for the admirable judgement and activity displayed by it as the head of the Red Cross during the last fifteen years, and the grand results achieved, which inits able report it has only too modestly referred to. The Conference reposes full confidence in the future action of the International Committee, which in effect now extends over two hemispheres. The Conference assures the International Committee of its undivided support, and will receive favorably any wishes it may desire to express in its own behalf. (Presented by the representatives of Germany.) II. The results witnessed in October, 1883, at Vienna, in May, 1884, at Paris, in July, 1884, at Aldershott, the 30th of August and 2d of September, 1884, at Geneva, with a portable electric illuminating apparatus on wheels, have established the practicability of illuminating an extended battlefield at night so as to effect the removal of the wounded, the burial of the dead, and the establishment of their identity. The utility of such an apparatus being incontestable, the Conference manifests the desire that in future wars the electric light e employed in all cases where its use will be permitted by the military authorities. (Presented by the representative of Austria-Hungary.) III. The Conference expresses the desire that antiseptic dressing be introduced generally into all armies in the field and adopted by all societies of the Red Cross. It is desirable that in time of peace the corps of nurses be instructed in its application. (Presented by the representatives of Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, and Switzerland. IV. The Conference declares that, in securing the adhesion of the United States of America to the Convention of Geneva, Miss Clara Barton deserves well of humanity. (Presented by the representative of Italy.) 7 V. The Conference directs that the sum of 5,000 francs and the gold medal which Her Majesty the Empress of Germany, Queen of Prussia, has deigned to place at its disposal shall be awarded as a prize in a competition to be invited for the best construction of a model portable field-hospital (ambulance barracks). The designation of members to forma special Commission to prepare the programme fur such competition, and to act as judges in the premises, is referred to the International Committee. The programme to be published previous to December, 1884. (Presented by the commission of members of central committee.) VI. The Conference refers to the commission of members of central committees the duty of determining the date and place of the next International Conference of Societies of the Red Cross. (Presented by the representatives of the United States and Switzerland.) The Commission decided upon Carlsruhe as the place of meeting, and upon the year 1886, or at the latest 1887, as the date of the meeting of the next Conference. VII. The Third International Conference meeting on the twentieth anniversary of the Convention of Geneva, in the city where the work of the Red Cross was first conceived and sanctioned by international compact, heartily approves of the idea of erecting a commemorative monument at Genera,and expresses the desire that the central committees of all nationals co-operate in the erection of such monument according to the design of the mode presented by Mr. Richard Kissling, a member of the Conference. (Presented by the representatives of Great Britain and Germany, and seconded by those of France, Russia, United States, Italy, Austria, and others.) Various highly interesting and instructive exhibits of material and practical illustrations of the character of Red Cross work occurred during the week's session of the Conference, of which that of Surgeon-General Porte, of Bavaria, Illustrating the art of improvising, in emergencies, from the simplest ad most inexpensive materials, appliances of relief and comfort for the sick and wounded of an army deserves, on account of its pre-eminently practical bearing, special mention. Thanks to the military department of the Genoese Government the spacious building of its riding and training schools had been placed at the disposal of Surgeon-General Porte, and within its walls the exhibit had been arranged. At the time appointed for the Conference to witness in a body the display of material and its practical application to purposes of relief and comfort, Surgeon-General Porte, introductory to his personal illustration of how means of relief were to be improvised upon battle-fields, in substance remarked: That desultory efforts at improvising means of relief had preceded all the varied and perfected ambulance material and relief appliances which every well organized army now possessed - that it was by no means intended that the exhibit of improving relief material should supplant the present admirable sanitary appliances of armies or enter into of any kind of competition with the existing provisions made by the military authorities for the purpose, but simply that it should supplement the same in the emergencies constantly occurring during war; to d which effectively, improvising relief appliances and comforts from material common to all battle-fields must be made a science. This utilizing of material usually cast away and considered worthless might be likened to a wild plant hitherto looked down upon and despised as useless, but which upon closer study would develop extraordinary healing qualities. He felt assured that upon investigation THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS. --9 ground, several feet away from the cabin or tent, which was made to serve as a hearth; from this a small trench in the ground, covered over with tin-can plates of the kind already referred to, led obliquely up into and across the interior of the cabin or tent, and then extended out on the opposite side some two or more feet, at the end of which an old stovepipe, some spouting, or several tin cans, telescoped and inserted erect, were made to serve as chimney. Upon making fire in the excavated hearth a current of warm air was generated, which, seeking an outlet through the covered trench, heated the interior of the cabin or tent, and kept the ground warm for several hours. This same covered trench, enlarged in certain sections, served to heat and even boil water in cans covered with improvised clay covers, and was also utilized for cooking various dishes, which by this arrangement needed little or no watching. Another extremely simple and inexpensive mode of heating consisted of a medium-sized square stove set flat on the ground, the frame-work of which was constructed of hoop-iron and small interlaced branches or twigs, which had been plastered all over with a thick coat of clay. Upon making fire in this stove the wood is consumed and the clay becoming hardened it serves in the future as an excellent heater. This system was successfully tried during the war of Herzegovina. Other stove constructions were also exhibited, as also a variety of improvised cooking utensils, such as a piece of stove-pipe skillfully transformed into a chafing dish, which also served as a pan to heat water. Litters, in such an exhibit, necessarily occupied a prominent place. Surgeon-General Porte gave preference to the triclinium, which offers the advantage of placing the patient in a position very favorable to sores and fractures of the lower extremities. The triclinium is easy to improvise with pieces of board, staves, branches, and cords. This kind of litter, the name of which indicates its form, can be placed upon the saddle of a horse lengthwise, and securely fastened in position by means of straps or ropes running from both end to each side of the girth. The trials made prove, it would seem, this arrangement to be preferable in many respects to others, although possibly, owing to the rocking motion imparted by the gait of the horse or mule, not as agreeable as might be to the invalid. It has, however, rendered satisfactory service, it is claimed, on the mountain roads of Mexico. The saddle arm-chair, easily improvised with boards, staves, and cord or metal bands for the back, is in this respect more comfortable to the wounded. A similar means of transportation, but more simple, is advantageously resorted to for carrying invalids having fractures of the extremities upon the backs of men, in which case wide shoulder-straps are made use of, similar to those attached to a dosser. Another form of litter was made simply of two rude poles, the forward ends of which were harnessed to a horse, the same as shafts would be, with the other ends fastened to another horse in the rear in like manner. The irregular motion produced by the gait of two horses thus attached to the poles, although the latter were of exceptional length, nevertheless must prove fatiguing to invalids. A much preferable system consists in thus harnessing only one horse to the front ends of the poles and allowing the other end to trail on the ground. A drag or sled of this kind in the form of a triclinium, for two wounded, has been experimented with by different members of the Conference, and these pronounced the motion produced by the elasticity of the pole highly satisfactory. The fact is, this system of transportation, but not in the triclinium form, has, as is well known, long been in vogue among certain tribes of Indians in the United States. Although dragged over the roughest part of the arena in the building, S. Ex. 59--2 [*10*] 10 THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS. no objectionable jolting was experienced. A similar sled or drag, but smaller, for a single invalid, and arranged to be dragged by one man, was also exhibited. In like manner the elasticity of long poles has been availed of to lessen the shaking of berths in railway cars when in motion. It is asserted that no spring can rival the elasticity of a good pole, readily made of material obtainable everywhere. Metallic bands, such as are found around baled hay or dry goods, telegraph wire, straw twists, pieces of leather cord, linen, and even portions of spouting, converted into splints, and material for bandaging of all kinds, were displayed in great variety. Surgeon General Porte gave preference in the main to metallic bands as an improvised means of dressing fractures, on account of the double advantage of solidity and flexibility which they offered. Bottles were utilized for a variety of purposes. By means of friction produced by the rapid motion of a cord backwards and forwards a bottle was quickly cut in two parts, one half becoming serviceable as a tumbler, and the other half as a funnel or a lantern, if a candle be inserted between the extremities of a small stick split at one end into four parts and passed through the inverted neck. A bottle can also be made to serve as a syringe by attaching a bit of rubber tubing to the neck and with a sharp stone piercing a hole in the bottom. A very serviceable cushion was made of an ordinary cotton cloth bag steeped in oil, and made completely impermeable by adding a coating of a concentrated solution of starch rendered antiseptic with boracic acid or some similar disinfectant, the bag after such treatment being partially filed with water and securely tied. Several of these devices are familiar to those in the United States who participated in the late war, and are mentioned in the able and valuable "Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion." Believing it would meet with your approbation, at an opportune moment on the closing day of the Conference I took occasion, at the instance of the director-general of the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans, to extend a cordial invitation to the delegates present, and through them to the Governments they represented, to participate in said exposition by a display of material incidental to Red Cross work. It affords me please to state that this invitation was received with evident satisfaction, and that the representative of France promptly arose and signified the intention on the part of his country to have the Central Committee of their nation forward an exhibit of sanitary ambulance hospital and relief material; while the representatives of Germany indicated to your delegate the probability of the Red Cross of that country also taking part in the exhibit, which I have recently been duly notified the head of the Red Cross in Germany, Her Majesty the Empress, has made arrangements to carry into effect. Finally, while I beg to invite, for reference to the proper authorities, special attention to those objects in regard to which the International Conference urges legislative and departmental action, permit me also, Mr. President, to commend to your continued interest the great humanitarian cause of the Red Cross espoused by the United States under your administration. I have the honor to be with great respect Clara Barton President of the American National Society of the Red Cross. 11 Again in 1887 we were invited to attend the international conference which took place in Carlsruhe, Germany. At this meeting there came up the important question of what means were to be adopted to prevent unauthorized societies and persons from using the name and insignia of the Red Cross in making pubic appeals for charity. In addition to this just cause of grievance, [I called the attention of the conference] attention was called to another abuse of our [own] privileges by the business community, which, unfortunately, still prevails in our country, owing to the powerful influence exerted by those most interested in the misappropriation, which has, so far, prevented legislation for our protection. Some of our advisers [howeve] maintain, however, that the very fact that the name and insignia of the Red Cross are a part of a national treaty in sufficient protection in itself; and that it would be so decided if the question were referred to the Supreme Court of the United States. Be this as it may, it is hoped and believed that the matter will be made clear in some way; and that within a short time we shall be protected from those who, for advertising purposes, would belittle the name and emblem that have been glorified in the service of humanity, and should be respected and held sacred from all cheapening influences. Following is our report to President Cleveland: FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS. To the President of the United States: Mr. PRESIDENT: In behalf of the delegates appointed by you under authority of an act approved March 3,1887, to represent the United 12 States in an International Conference of the Red Cross, I have the honor to present the following report: [REPORT:] This conference of eminent men, the fourth since the foundation of the international organization of the Red Cross at Geneva, was held in 1887, September 22 to 30, inclusive, at the city of Carlsruhe, the residence and court of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, in order to deliberate upon certain important questions concerning the organized aid to be given by the associations of the International red Cross, and the best methods of administering such aid. Delegates were sent by the several states of the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Sweden-Norway, Denmark, Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, the Argentine Republic, the Imperial Government of Japan, and the United States of America. The delegates to whom you, Mr. President, intrusted the honor of representing the United States were cordially received and treated with uncommon courtesy, not only by the International committee and associate delegates from other countries, but by the royal host and hostess of the conference, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, one member of you delegation having been made the personal guest of the palace, and entertained there during the entire conference. The conference assembled September 22 in the state-house of Baden, and was presided over by County Stolberg, of Berlin, president of the National Society of the Red Cross of Germany and Grand Chamberlain to the Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia; his Highness the Grand Duke of Baden, her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess, with their court and distinguished guests, occupying the royal galleries. The minister of state of Baden welcomed the conference inmost fitting terms, and the officers of the conference were selected, among whom was Dr. J.B. Hubbell, of your own delegation. The National Red Cross Association of America had on its part appointed three other delegates to ac as Red Cross representatives, and who were also present - Dr. L.M. Hall, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Theodore Kruger, American vice-consul at Kehl, Germany, and Dr.Thomas W. Evans, of Paris. After the settlement of all formal preliminaries the specified questions and business of the conference were respectively taken up, carefully considered, discussed, and disposed of, during the week appropriated to them as follows: No. 1 PROPOSITION MADE BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF BERLIN. Her majesty Empress Augusta of Germany has placed at the disposal of the conference 6,000 marks, three gold and nine silver portrait medals, in order to give to the conference an opportunity to call into life useful enterprise, promote the interest of the International Red Cross, especially in the direction of the care of the sick and wounded. This proposition was received standing, thanks returned, and passed to a committee for consideration and report, upon the best use of this most generous offer of Her Majesty. On this point the proposition of the Danish Central Committee was received, and the conference resolved that the imperial gift should be used as premiums in a competition for the best inside arrangement of a transportable barrack hos-RED CROSS ASSOCIATION. 3 pital; in the same manner as a similar gift of Her Majesty to the conference of 1884 had resulted in the creation of the famous Ducker Hospital Barrack of New York. No. 2. - PROPOSITION BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF SOPHIA. Proposals concerning the promotion of the general introduction of antiseptic treatment of wounds, and methods of dressing, into the sanitary field arrangements of armies. The Austrian delegation stated that when the Servo-Bulgarian war broke out antiseptic treatment was not introduced by regulation in any army, but the foreign associations of the Red Cross presented themselves at the theater of war thoroughly equipped for antiseptic treatment. The unanimous report of the surgeons of that war proves the result of the method. Since that time the introduction of antiseptic treatment in the sanitary arrangements of armies has made great strides. Germany, Austria and Russia have introduced it, and its speedy introduction into all the armies of the States belonging to the Geneva convention can not be too warmly recommended. It has become a stated principle in the actual treatment of wounds that the first dressing of the wound may decide the fate of the wounded soldier; it is therefore of the highest importance that the primary treatment on the battle-field be carried out according to antiseptic principles. The nations within the treaty are therefore most warmly requested to take such measures as will secure the carrying out the antiseptic surgical practice on the battlefield itself. The proposition so earnestly put forth by Austria and Bulgaria was most warmly seconded by the international committee of Geneva, and was unanimously adopted. No. 3. - PROPOSITION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF VIENNA. The position of the National Committees and their relations to each other as well as towards the assistance going out from them to the seat of war. These questions were ably discussed by the Committee of Vienna, Sophia, and Bulgaria in the light of the experience gained during the Servo-Bulgarian war, and many minor points satisfactorily settled, especially that all bodies of persons sent as assistants should be absolutely placed under the direction of their own National Committee of the Red Cross. No. 4. What steps should be taken in order to secure free transportation, exemption from customs duties, etc., of material forwarded by associations not taking part in the war, but which material is designed for the use of the belligerents? These questions were very candidly discussed, and while thought by some to be not always absolutely attainable, still the privilege demanded generally was granted by the Governments; but the greatest care was recommended in preventing abuse of the seal of the Red Cross. No. 5. No. 5 discussed the subject of uniforms for the members of the Red Cross at the seat of war. In this no absolute decision was arrived at. 4 RED CROSS ASSOCIATION. No. 6. - BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF BELGIUM. What means are to be adopted to prevent unauthorized societies from using the name of the Red Cross when they make an appeal to public charity? This question is but another form and phase of that so warmly and ably discussed in the preceding conference of 1884 at Geneva, and which there appeared under the caption of "Misuse of the Insignia of the Convention", and at which conference a resolution making strong recommendations to the various Red Cross Governments was passed, but which have thus far failed to receive attention. It may perhaps be admissible to insert in this report the resolution passed in the previous conference of 1884, as follows: RESOLUTION. The conference proposes the resolution that legislative or analogous measures be taken in all countries for the prevention of the abuse of the conventional sign of the Red Cross upon a white ground in time of peace as well as war. In the present conference the Belgian central committee urged that it is of the utmost importance that the positions of the associations of the Red Cross be clearly defined by the respective Governments. It is also the duty of the Governments to protect the material of the associations necessary to the fulfillment of their mission, and it is particularly recommended that in each country there be only one association. After some debate the following resolution was offered by Baron Knesebeck, private secretary of Her Majesty Empress Augusta of Germany, and unanimously accepted, viz: RESOLUTION. The international conference expresses the wish that in every nation which has joined the convention of Geneva a society of the Red Cross be officially recognized to use for itself alone and its auxiliaries as the insignia of their work the sign of the Red Cross. This being one of the subjects in which the American delegation especially desired to take part, some remarks were made by myself, followed by a resolution by Dr. Hubbell, which, in order not to lengthen this report proper, I will, with your kind permission, Mr. President, append at its close for reference if desired, in order that the action of your delegates in the matter may be clear before you. No. 7. - PROPOSITION BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF RUSSIA. The creation of international museums for sanitary materials. This proposition, after discussion, was referred to the international committee of Geneva for consideration. No. 8. - PROPOSITION BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF SWITZERLAND. What measures are to be taken to spread the knowledge of the convention of Geneva in the army, in the societies particularly interested in its application, and among the public in general? The discussions upon this point were very able, and full of good spirit for the advancement of humanity. Among many recommendations the following may be named; Short and popular publications, explaining the object of the Red Cross organization. 15 The establishment of local committees, of ambulance depots, stations of restoratives and wound-dressings at central railroad points, and last, but not least, to spread information concerning the Red Cross among the youth in schools. Also, a later recommendation received enthusiastic favor by the military delegates, vix: To bind a copy of the Geneva Convention, together with the articles of the treaty, in the service-book of each soldier, as is already done in Switzerland. No. 9 - PROPOSITION BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF HOLLAND, By what means might the people be prompted to render efficient help to the associations of the Red Cross working at the seat of war. This question, which we know from experience would never be necessary in our own country, it was judged could be solved by a thorough understanding with the military administration, a feature which the the Red Cross so well and so fortunately establishes. No. 10. Ought the European associations of the Red Cross to render aid to wounded and sick soldiers in wars waged in extra European countries as colonies. This proposition received a very prompt response-certainly. The Red Cross encompasses the whole world. The manner in which such aid might be given would naturally differ according to circumstances, and for further consideration of these practical difficulties the question was referred to the next international conference. No. 11 PROPOSITION BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF SWITZERLAND AND HOLLAND. Should the associations of the Red Cross give sanitary aid, i case of an insurrection, to the wounded and sick insurgents before they are acknowledged as belligerents. This question was considered as involving some very delicate military points, and was withdrawn by the committee of Holland. No. 12 What aid should be given by the Red Cross in naval warfare, This proposition was considered as not ripe for discussion so long as all the Governments adhering to the Geneva Convention have not signed and acknowledged the additional articles of October 20, 1868. The discussion of this question was therefore adjourned until definite resolutions in regard to the additional articles have been taken by the Governments. It is proper for me to add here that the United States has already acted in this matter, having in its adherence to the ten articles of the treaty for the relief of the sick and wounded of armies in 1882 also included the additional articles regarding maritime warfare, and they stand complete, subject only to such modifications as may be made in future final action by all the Governments. 16 No. 13 The proposition to consider the erection of a monument in commemoration of the founding of the Red Cross. This was considered premature, and was dismissed by almost unanimous voice. "The deeds wrought y the Association of the Red Cross are to be a monument to the Geneva Convention more beautiful and imperishable than could be wrought in stone or metal." During the progress of the second session a motion from its president, Count Stolberg, brought the conference to it feet, which remained standing during the reading of the following telegram, in reply to a message which had been sent by it the preceding day: I heartily thank the conference for the greeting so kindly directed to me. As a Christian, I praise the Lord's mercy in this work of love. As a woman, I think of the wives and mothers. As a member of the Red Cross, I entertain a strong hope that your deliberations will have a blessed success by uniting our strength in war and in peace AUGUSTA, German Empress and Queen of Prussia. During one session Her Imperial Majesty honored the conference by her presence, having in the most feeble state of health performed a journey to meet with us. Emperor Dom Pedro, of Brazil, was in daily attendance,being rarely absent from his seat in the royal gallery and examining all exhibits and experiments illustrative of the work of the organization with great interest. Nothing was left undone by our royal host and hostess for the comfort and pleasure of the guests of the conference. After the close of the conference invitations were extended to your two delegates by Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess of Baden, to pass some days near her court at Baden Baden, and to meet once more her honored parents their majesties the Emperor William and Empress Augusta. This invitation was accepted, and I have the honor to bear to my country through you, Mr. President, the last expressions of good will toward our "young nation" to which I ever listened from the revered old monarch who has since jointed the courts above. Also an invitation, extended by Her Majesty Empress Augusta to visit her renowned Red Cross foundations, schools, and hospitals at Berlin, was accepted, and these inspections, so royally tendered, were fraught with valuable information for the progress of the Red Cross in our own country. The same kind courtesy was extended by the International Committee of Geneva, by which distinguished body a reception was given in honor of the Red Cross of the United States of America. No opportunity was neglected for gaining such knowledge as observation can convey which might prove of value to the cause in the interests of which we had been sent; and I can not forbear my thanks, Mr. President, for the opportunity which your appointment of myself as delegate to that conference afforded me to meet once more, in their days of unbroken family life, the beloved members of that great imperial house of wonderful German rulers before the fall of successive strokes of woe, which have since turned eyes of all the world upon hem in sorrow and sympathy. I have the honor to be, with great respect, CLARA BARTON President of the American National Association of the Red Cross. 16 Clara Barton's Remarks on the House of the Insignia. GENTLEMEN: We think it will be remembered by the honorable committee of Berlin that the central committee of American declined to present any special question for consideration b the conference, but in place of this named three subjects presented by other nations as being those in which the American committee would feel a special interest, and in the discussions of which,the opportunity offering it might like to take part. The question which came up in relation to the protection of the insignia of the Red Cross from abuse by unauthorized parties was one of these questions, and one upon which a resolution had been prepared for presentation to the conference, which resolution the American delegation would be pleased to have read and go upon the record of the conference along with that of Belgium, in order that its position upon that important point may be well and clearly defined. This is a usurpation, from which, if neglected, the Red Cross of America is likely to experience serious difficulties, not perhaps from its appropriation by other organized societies, which in American, I am happy to say, have thus far had always the courtesy and the sense of justice to ask permission for every privilege of this nature which has been sought. But the trouble arises from the greed of private speculators desiring to make use of the insignia as a trade-mark for mercenary ends as an introductory recommendation for the sale of manufactured articles. Thus we are met by "Red Cross Cigars," "Red Cross Brandy," "Red Cross Whisky," "Red Cross Washing Machines," "Red Cross Playing Cards," "Red Cross Churns," "Red Cross Soap," Red Cross Dog Collars." All this is of course degrading in its tendency, and exceedingly humiliating. Still if this were likely to be the extent of the harm it might possibly be borne by so unpretending, humble-minded,and forbearing a body of people as those comprising the organization of the Red Cross. But when it is considered that there is to be no way of distinguishing these articles of traffic and speculation from the material designed and provided for the help of those in distress, material neither bought nor sold, but given, out of love of humanity, and often from hands and homes poorly able to spare it fro their own needs - that all alike must come under the ban of suspicion, and tat in time of war this very condition of things must inevitably and rightfully take from the Red Cross all sanctity, all privilege of movement, all respect and confidence of military authorities,and thus all power to reach and succor the wounded - it becomes not only a matter of individual but national importance. When the mercenary, plundering, and dishonest sutler shall bravely demand protection for his wares under the same insignia, what can result save the banishment of all from the military field, and the wounded, with succor actually at hand, languish and die of want and neglect, as if no system of relief had ever been devised. If the Red Cross have not the ability to meet this difficulty ad provide for its insignia now, when may we hope to be stronger? Surely not when it shall have been appropriated by general consent over the entire world, and trades have come, through long use,to consider it their own. 17 We think it only needful that the attention of the treaty nations bee seriously called to this question for each to take it up and follow its own course in its execution. Some may not find it practicable, others may. For my own country, the United States of America, I think I may safely say that having entered into treaty relations and taken international obligations in common with other nations, it will be found ready to sustain such measures as a united conference of those nations may deem needful for the welfare of the cause it seeks to promote. To this end expression by the conference was desired as a ground for action by the Government, and accordingly, by request of the National Association of the Red Cross of America,a protective resolution has been drawn by my colleague, Dr. Hubbell, which, with your permission, I will read in connection with these remarks as indicative of the desires of the American Red Cross and its entire delegation in this conference. While agreeing most perfectly with the resolution already offered, it has additionally in view a different class of persons, and a class for which penalties for malappropriation might seem to be in order; and I earnestly hope, gentlemen, that its introduction here may not be found out of order. RESOLUTION. As the civilized nations of the world, in acceding to the treaty of Geneva, have thereby accepted its insignia of a red cross on a white ground as an international sign of neutrality and humanity in war, we deem it necessary that some action be taken by each government to protect this sign from abuse. Therefore, Resolved, That the International Conference at Carlsruhe recommends that each national delegation earnestly solicit its government to adopt such measures as it may deem most suitable for making the use of the insignia of the red cross of the convention of Geneva of 1864 for any other purpose than that contemplated by the treaty an offense punishable by such penalty as each government may deem appropriate. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETIES. Since the formation of the Geneva Treaty in 1864, when the Red Cross came into existence as a permanent organization, it has been the custom of the International Committee, which is located at Geneva, to invite the various national organizations of the world to meet in conference as often as questions thought to be of sufficient importance to warrant a general interchange of ideas should come up for discussion and decision. The results of these deliberations have been carefully formulated into resolutions, articles, rules and regulations for the general welfare of all concerned; and have been of immeasurable good to the world at large. The first of these conferences was held at Geneva in 1864 the next at Berlin in 1868. The American Red Cross was only organized in 1882, and, consequently, did not take part in these meetings; but it was our proud privilege to be invited to the Third International Conference of the Societies of the Red Cross, held at Geneva, Switzerland, September 1 to 7, inclusive, 1884. On our return to the United States, we made an official report to President Arthur of which the following is a consideration: The Third International Conference. (To follow preliminary remarks of Third International Conference) We were treated with marked courtesy alike by the International Committee, their associate delegates from other countries, and also by the municipal authorities of Geneva. The Conference assembled in the Auditorium of the University of Geneva, and was presided over by Mr Gustav Monier, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, assisted by vice presidents representing six of the great nations. The American delegates served on various of the most important committee, and took active part in the discussions. Twenty nations were represented. The subjects proposed for discussion by the conference were arranged under three heads as follows: I. Subjects relating specially to the activity of the Red Cross societies in times of peace. II. Subjects relating specially to times of war. III. Subjects of a general character. The subjects under these three heads were sub-divided into sixteen topics which were fully discussed and disposed of. Among the conference's approvals were the following propositions: The societies of the Red Cross, and especially those upon whom, by regulation of their own or officially, is devolved the exclusive charge of an important part of the sanitary service, should take the requisite steps to secure an adequate quantity of material of a character suited to the needs of every occasion for which they might be called into service, in particular to meet the first wants; and they should at all events be sure to provide such material beforehand and have it on hand, in order that the general organization may not be hampered.]3 Conferences in its operations. The scope of Red Cross relief societies enables them in times of peace to participate to the utmost in humanitarian work akin to that devolving upon them in times of war, and to this end they may render aid in the event of public calamities which, as in the case of war, demand prompt and well-organized help. Each national committee should, by all means in its power, endeavor to prevail upon the army of its country to adopt some insignia of identity for its soldiers. The conference expresses the earnest with that the commanders-in-chief of belligerent armies, by proclamation or general orders, make known to the denizens within the seat of war the penalties persons incur who plunder or mutilate the dead and wounded. The conference recommends relief societies in times of peace to promote or provide instruction for women calculated to fit them to take supervisory charge of post ambulances and permanent hospitals of the Red Cross; such instructions to be of a character that will qualify them effectively to assist physicians and surgeons, intelligently administer prescriptions, and execute directions concerning the hygiene of hospital wards and the treatment of invalids. The results witnessed in October, 1883, at Vienna, in May, 1884, at Paris, in July, 1884, at Aldershott, the 30th. of August and 2d of September, 1884, at Geneva, with a portable electric illuminating apparatus on wheels, have established the practicablility of illuminating an extended battlefield at night so as to effect the removal of the wounded, the burial of the dead, and the establishment of theri identity. The utility of such an apparatus being incontestable, the Conference manifests the desire that in future wars the electic 4 Conferences light be employed in all cases where its use will be permitted by the military authorities. The Conference expresses the desire that antiseptic dressing be introduced generally in all armies in the field and adopted by all societies of the Red Cross. It is desirable that in time of peace the corps of nurses be instructed in its application. The Conference declares that, in securing the adhesion of the United States of America to the Convention of Geneva, Miss Clara Barton deserves well of humanity. The Third International Conference meeting on the twentieth anniversary of the Convention of Geneva, in the city where the work of the Red Cross was first conceived and sanctioned by international compact, heartily approves of the idea of erecting a commemorative monument at Geneva, and expresses the desire that the central committees of all nations co-operate in the erecting of such monument according to the design of the model presented by Mr. Richard Kissling, a member of the Conference. Various highly interesting and instructive exhibits of material and practical illustrations of the character of Red Cross work occurred during the week's session of the Conference, of which that of Surgeon-General Porte, of Bavaria, illustrating the art of improvising, in emergencies, from the simplest and most inexpensive materials appliances of relief and comfort for the sick and wounded of an army, deserves, on account of its pre-eminently practical bearing, special mention. Again in 1887 we were invited to attend the International Conference which took place in Carlsruhe, Germany. At this meeting there came up the important question of what means were to be adopted to prevent unauthorized societies and persons from using the name and insignia of the Red Cross in making appeals for public charity. In addition to this just cause of grievance, attention was called to another abuse of our privileges by the business community, which, unforrtunately, still prevails in our country, owing to the powerful influence exerted by those most interested in the misappropriation, which has, so far, prevented legislation for our protection. Some of our advisers maintain, however, that the very fact that the name and insignia of the Red Cross are a part of a national treaty is sufficient protection in itself; and that it would be so decided if the question were referred to the Supreme Court of the United States. Be this as it may, it is hoped and believed that the matter will be made clear in some way, and that within a short time we shall be protected from those who, for advertising purposes, would belittle the name and emblem that have been glorified in the service of humanity, and should be respected and held sacred from all cheapening influences. Following is the gist of the report made to President Cleveland on our return to the United States: FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF RED CROSS SOCIETIES. The Fourth Conference of Red Cross representatives was held September 22 to 30, 1887, at the city of Carlsruhe, Germany, the residence and court of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, in order to deliberate on certain important questions concerning the organized aid to be given by the associations of the International Red Cross, and the best methods of administering such aid. Delegates were present from several States of the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, the Argentine Republic, Japan and the United States. The American delegates were cordially received, and treated with uncommon courtesy, not only by the International Committee and associate delegates from other countries, but by the royal host and hostess of the Conference, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, one member of the delegation having been made the personal guest of the palace, and entertained there during the entire conference. The Conference assembled in the State House of Baden, and was presided over by Count Stolberg, of Berlin, President of the National Society of the Red Cross of Germany, and Grand Chamberlain to the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia; his Highness, the Grand Duke of Baden, her Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess of Baden, with their court and distinguished guests, occupying the royal galleries. The Minister of State of Baden welcomed the delegates in most fitting terms, and the officers of the Conference were selected, among whom was Dr. J.B. Hubbell of our delegation. There were present also, as additional representatives of the American Red Cross,Dr. L.M. Hall, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mr. Theodore Cruger, American Vice-Consul at Kehl, Germany; and Dr. Thomas W. Evans, of Paris. After the settlement of all formal preliminaries, the specified questions and business of the Conference was taken up, and among the important matters considered and disposed of were the following: Her Majesty, Empress Augusta of Germany, having placed at the disposal of the Conference 6,000 marks, three gold and nine silver medals, in order to give to the conference an opportunity to call into life useful enterprise, promote the interest of the International Red Cross, especially in the direction of the care of the sick and wounded, the conference resolved that the imperial gift should be used as premiums in a competition for the best inside arrangement of a transportable barrack hospital; in the same manner as a similar gift of Her Majesty to the conference of 1884 had resulted in the creation of the famous Ducker Hospital Barrack of New York. Proposals concerning the promotion of the general introduction of antiseptic treatment of wounds, and methods of dressing, into the sanitary field arrangements of armies, were unanimously adopted. The question "What means are to be adopted to prevent unauthorized societies from using the name of the Red Cross when they make an appeal to public charity" was taken up, and it was urged that it was of the utmost importance that the positions of the associations of the Red Cross be clearly defined by the respective Governments; and that it was also the duty of the Governments to protect the material of the association necessary to the fulfillment of their mission, and it was particularly recommended that in each country there be only one association. After some debate the following resolution was unanimously adopted: The International Conference expresses the wish that in every nation which has joined the Convention of Geneva a society of the Red Cross be officially recognized to use for itself alone and its auxiliaries as the insignia of their work the sign of the Red Cross. A discussion of what measures are to be taken to spread the knowledge of the Convention of Geneva in the army, in the societies particularly interested in its application, and among the public generally, was very full and able. Among many recommendations suggested, the following may be named: short and popular publications, explaining the object of the Red Cross organization; the establishment of local committees, of ambulance depots, stations of restoratives and won wound dressings at central railroad points; to spread information among the youth in schools. Ought the European associations of the Red Cross to render aid to wounded and sick soldiers in wars waged in extra European countries as colonies, was a proposition that received a very prompt response-- certainly; the Red Cross encompasses the whole world. During the progress of the Conference, the following telegram was received from the Empress of Germany: "I heartily thank the conference for the greeting so kindly directed to me. As a Christian, I praise the Lord's mercy in this work of love. As a woman, I think of the wives and mothers. As a member of the Red Cross, I entertain a strong hope that your deliberations will have a blessed success by uniting our strength in war and in peace. Augusta." Nothing was left undone by our royal host and hostess for the comfort and peasure of the guests of the Conference. At its close invitations were extended to your two delegates by Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Baden, to pass some days near her court at Baden Baden, and to meet once more her honored parents, their majesties the Emperor William and Empress Augusta. This invitation was accepted, and I had the honor to bear to my country the last expressions of good will toward our "young nation" from the revered old monarch who has since joined the courts above. We were also invited by the Empress Augusta to visit her renowned Red Cross foundations, schools, and hospitals at Berlin. We accepted this invitation, and our inspections were fraught with valuable information for the progress of the Red Cross in our own country. The same kind courtesies were extended by the International Committee of Geneva, by which distinguished body a reception was given in honor of the Red Cross of the United States of America. On our part, no opportunity was neglected for gaining such knowledge as observation can convey which might prove of value to the cause in the interests of which we had been spent. 18 FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETIES. The fifth international conference of representatives of the Red Cross from the civilized nations of the world was held April 20 to 27, 1892, at the city of Rome, Italy, to consider questions and develop methods for the advancement of the work of the various national organizations. Over thirty nations were represented, besides, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and the Order of Jerusalem. There were also present many eminent specialists, among whom were Professor S. Billroth, Koch, Esmarsh, Furly of London; Mosetig of Vienna; Socin of Basle; Bettenson of St. Petersburg, etc. The work of the Russian Relief in the United States, in which the American Red Cross was actively engaged at the time, prevented me from attending the convention; be we were ably represented by Dr. J.B. Hubbell, our Field Agent. At this meeting the King and Queen of Italy placed at the disposal of the conference 10,000 francs, to be used to advance the work. The committee to whom the charge was given reported in favor of applying the royal gift as a prize to develop and bring into practice the best methods for the prompt relief and care of the wounded on the field. Similar gifts had been given on two previous occasions by the late Empress Augusta of Germany. The most important questions discussed at this meeting were: The activity of the Red Cross at Sea. The best means of removing the wounded from the field of battle. What measures have been taken to prevent the abuse of the sign19 and name of the Red Cross. The necessity of organized measures for assuring refuge in safe localities near the field of battle for the sick and wounded that cannot be carried away; and also for the care of the same in the sanitary corps of the first and second lines. In what way can the Red Cross best send succor to the wounded in distant countries where war is being carried on, and to countries beyond the sea. What means should be taken to secure free transport of succors in time of war by the Red Cross through neutral countries. What means are best to be taken to secure exemption from customs, detentions, etc., for succors forwarded on account of the Red Cross. On motion of the Russian Committee, a recommendation was adopted that each country should be regularly requested to allow all articles of succor forwarded by the Red Cross to be exempt from the usual customs duties and detentions, and that facilities for the free and expeditious passage by transports be made as great as possible. What measures can be taken to effectually regulate the relations official and semi-official existing between the central committees of the Red Cross and their respective governments in order that the Red Cross may be in a relation to respond fully to its high mission. In responses to this move, it was resolved that the various central committees should procure a means of developing their sphere of action in time of peace, and to this and should endeavor to increase their finances. Other questions were discussed relative to the qualifications and duties of doctors, nurses and attendants; medical operations and appliances; the utility of the electric light in removing the wounded 20 from battlefields; and the form of portable barrack and equipmentment for hospitals. The city of Rome made royal provision for the entertainment of the delegates. Formal receptions were given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in his palace, and the palace of Count Della Somaglia, President of the Red Cross of Italy was open to the delegates, and the reception was graced by the presence of their Majesties the King and the Queen. Their Majesties also gave a dinner in the palace in honor of the delegates. A hospital train of cars was provided for an exursion to Tivoli and the Villa of Hadrian, and an Alpine pack train demonstrated the handling of a relief expedition in the mountain region. All the institutions of special interest to the delegates, including the Military and Polyclinic hospitals, were thrown open to their inspection.23 In 1882 the United States of America took upon itself obligations through the solemnity of an International Treaty binding itself to certain conditions for the mitigation of the then practiced methods of needless restriction and cruelty existing in all human warfare among the nations of the earth. This obligation was intended to embrace all conditions and degrees of suffering arising from the penalties which it imposes upon its victims. It proposed to do away with all unnecessary suffering which had hitherto been legally inflicted upon, the soldier at the field, the wounded man, the sick man, his family and friends who suffered for him, and the agonizing sympathy of the world which had been compelled to look helplessly on, and pity, where it could not relieve. This international treaty at that date embraced thirty-two of the leading governments of the world. The United States became the thirty-third nation. By this treaty it pledged itself to act in unison with the other treaty powers, toward this great humanitarian object and end. Its people had but a short time before emerged from a war of their own. Few knew better than they the width and the depth of woe that war could inflict, and entail upon a people. They had known their own soldiers sick and wounded to lie unattended, die uncared for, to languish in prison, perish unfed, and sink to unknown graves. In accordance with this treaty a national organization was formed, constituting the official medium through which the international head of all the nations should communicate with our government. This international head is located at Geneva, Switzerland, and is known as the "International Committee of Geneva for the relief of the wounded in War." Its president is Mr. Gustave Moynier. The national committee in our country is located at Washington, D.C., and is known as the "American National Red Cross", and I am compelled to tell you that its president is before you. At the ratification of our treaty the privilege was asked, and granted to the American Red Cross, to relieve distress arising from great national calamities other than war. It is thus you have heard for the last fifteen years of Red Cross relief at fields of disaster in various parts of this country, and at times in other countries. You have heard and read of it in the great Russian famine, when it sent ships laden with corn across the Atlantic, through the Baltic, and over the trackless plains of Russia to the famine-stricken thousands at the foot of the Urals, and the shores of the Volga. You heard and read of it in Armenia, with its expeditions of brave, tireless men, and trains of mules, horses and camels, laden with food, raiment and medicine; in the fever camps of Zeitoun and Marash, with their ten thousand victims, with their self-made scythes and sickles in the grain-covered fields of Harpoot and Diarbekir, and a opening the way for the thousands of frightened victims of massacre fled from the assassin's knives, to go back to their own homes again, and the final welcome of the Turk given even to the cross he hates. In 1895 and 1897 you began to hear of it need nearer home. Some of the terrible tyrranies incident to the movements of other and older nations commenced to reflect their lurid glare on the rock-bound sea-girt shores of free America. Spain was at war with her colony. America, full-fed, plentious, prosperous, and happy, heard, first with incredulity, then with yielding doubt, then with horror and dismay, that thousands upon thousands were hungering, starving and dying in all the coast towns of her bright, vine-clad, little neighbor, Cuba. They heard, for the first time, that strange long word "Reconcentrado" and wondered what it meant. That a strange people bearing this title, crowded the towns, and by their great numbers, starved to death, not only themselves, but the inhabitants of the towns as well; Who were they? where did they come from? what were they doing there?What were they like? were they black? were they slaves? were they [] [**]were they at all like other people? Between the Spanish army occupying the cities and towns along the coast, and the army of insurgents intrenched in the mountain fast- nesses of the center of the Island, lay the richest and most productive land of Cuba its great farms, plantations of sugar coffee, tobacco ba- nannas, grain and fruits. These farms were the agricultural strength and wealth of the Island. Men with millions, employing thousands of other men, women of luxury, hospitality and culture, gracing surroundings of princely elegance; awake to every impulse of freedom, and losing no opportunity for its advancement. with this glade of determined munificense between the armies of Spain and her enemies, there were no victories, no subjugation in sight. the insurgent army thus sustained could fight on interminatly. Spain could also fight, but could not win. Here arose a military necessity. This sustaining power must be cut off, and the order for "reconcentration"went out. The forces of Weyler were thrown in the rear of these country people, driving them all into the cities and towns. Their lands were devastated, their herds were captured, their homes burned. Thousands of the men natural- ly fled back to the insurgents in the mountains; those who resisted were slain Eight days were allowed in which to concentrate these country people within the cities and towns occupied by the Spanish troops, and there, like cattle in a corral without food, shelrer or rest, stood these women with their children,little girls and boys, beautiful dark-eyed daughters, and nursing babies[**] old men with tottering steps, and white- haired women borne in arms, amazed, terrified, wondering at the earth, and looking to Heaven, if it had not forgotten them. in a few months two hundred thousand died. These, my friends, were the "Reconcentrados".Could the Red Cross consider its work finished with this condition of things existing? Five months ago we returned to see what might be done for these children. We found them, as I have before stated. Your press has given my version of the conditions confronting us, and how we try to meet them. They are as they were left, living in the streets of the towns, where the mothers died; still no home, nor shelter, nor clothing, save filthy, contaminating rage, covered with vermin; tormented with contagious diseases, with only the food that chances to fall to them, besieging the travelers of passing trains like herds of little animals. But loathsome and wild as they seem don't forget, my friends who theses little people are-they were not born beggars- they are not foundlings, but are the legitimate off-spring of the best families of the island, the best blood of Cuba is in their veins, legitimate heirs, many of them, if it can be traced, to the richest lands and finest estates on that magnificent island. They show this blood and parentage bright, handsome, fine-spirited, intelligent children, well-raised and educated like your own, till driven by the sword to want and shame. If they can be gathered up and saved, they will make the coming youth of Cuba its future men and women, and Cuba needs them. With all she has lost, Cuba needs these hardy children, for , poor as they seem, they are still the "survival of the fittest". . They are kindly natured and polite, the little boy of eight or ten remembering to remove the poor dirty rag[ged] of a hat that covers his vermin-matted locks [of trust], as he addresses you, and tells you in good Spanish that you have" given him great pleasure", and the little maiden of the same age, curtesies lovw, and thanks you with down-east eyes and modest mein. But the deepest sympathy of all was due to the half-[green] grown girls and young women, often left entirely alone in the hut where the mother died. They are too old to admit of undue exposure; they have no clothing that properly covers or conceals them; they cannot open their leafy doors to strangers, nor venture out till dark; and then, to dig dimly dimly in the fields for the sweet potato growing wild in the sod. For months they had no other food and lived hidden away like bats. They cannot go out to get the rations due them. We carried clothing and took fifty of them out at one time, - bright grateful girls and young women. It is such as these that make up our asylums. The work of the Red Cross is emergency work. These asylums are a stepping stone between life and death. Later will follow by other organizations the accustomed asylums and schools for children who are in condition to be taught; but these must be taken up at once if we would save them. Your reporters have been so accurate and faithful and your press so courteous that I need not repeat the methods adopted by us and pursued by our workers. The little plain asylums are still being made up, the municipal authorities still helping; - the women and young ladies with their machines, still making little dresses and pants of the material we send them. The little red cross at the shoulder is never forgotten, and is at once the pride and monitor of every child. One will not need, in after years, to explain the Red Cross to these children. They are still planting their ever growing gardens and gathering a little of their own raising. The people of the towns not yet reached wait longingly for the day when the Red Cross shall come to them, and are trying to find houses suitable for the asylum home they hope to see. It may interest you to know that the American Red Cross is establishing a Cuban branch to take up, and later to carry on its own relief. Cuba struggles for independence. Let us make her also independent of aid. But not yet, my friends, not yet. She never will need help as she needs it now, and he gives thrice who given quickly, if it be only a kind thought. It has been intelligently thoughtful and kind of the people of this busy city to stop and ask for explanations on a subject so remote, and in no way directly connected with them. And I am happy in passing through to be able to make such explanations. I am glad to make it clear to you who these children are that are claiming the last moments of the two years' work of the [Red XCrossX] American Red Cross in Cuba. It will never again be a question with you who were the Reconcentrados, or how came that 50,000 homeless children there. You will never again wonder why the Cubans don't take care of their own children, nor think them lazy or stingy that they don't do it. They have divided over and over till they have nothing to divide; and given till they have nothing to give. And still they put their willing hands with ours to help on these little strangers in a homeless world. You will perhaps comprehend a little more definitely than before what the Red Cross is, - its national and international character, and how by virtue of its very existence, - the relief of war and disaster, - it is rightfully in its place, until such relief can be given or arranged. You will comprehend our President in asking it to take this field of relief. You will feel a little perhaps how long and hard a field it has been, - almost two years; and a war between; a war which raised its entire relief in the name of the Red Cross; formed its 70 grand auxiliaries of women in its name; and who performed a labor of which the oldest and most renowned Red Cross nation might well be proud. You will see how as National Head, its President was called to act in a double capacity, - Cuban relief and war relief, - that personally I remained largely in Cuba delegating to the great committees in New York and their tireless and able auxiliaries throughout the entire United States, the war relief so nobly performed. You will see that however reduced and simplified,the task is not ended, that still one more return must be made. Our faithful workers must be encouraged and sustained, till as nearly as possible they may bring in their sheaves well bound and laying them at the Master's feet, say approvingly, "It is finished." Duplicate Copy of Russian Famine Report 1898 J.B.H.1 THE RUSSIAN FAMINE OF 1891-2. To properly understand the Russian Famine of 1891-2, and the relief work of the Red Cross connected therewith, one needs to keep in mind the ordinary moral and economic condition of the Russian peasantry. They were, many of them, not long ago serfs attached the land in a condition but little better than American slaves. Though the laboration of the serfs make their legal condition better, it left them in economic conditions scarcely less discouraging than before. They were subject to all the disabilities of hard bargains on every side, from the exactions of taxes levied in one way or another, and payable in services or goods, all which called for an ever increasing sacrifice. They were subject to onerous military services and panel exactions for violations of the law. These conditions surrounded them with an atmosphere of depressing poverty, fear, hopeless endurances if not of despair. They have not felt the stimulating habitual influence of hope, of courage, of enterprise. They are not educated to overcome difficulties by overcoming them. Difficulties do not down easily before them; they go down before difficulties and disasters in something like apathetic despondency, or live in an amazing light-hearted, cureless, recklessness that easily turns to drink, to idleness, weakness, disease and early death. Fear in with them always, us if fate was over and against them. The climate of Russia is cold in winter, and the means of cooking and artificial warmth are scanty, and not easily procured at any time; so when the famine really came upon them, observers were divided in opinion whether the famine or fear of famine, or of something worse, 2 destroyed or paralyzed these people the more. The harvest yields of 1889 and 1890 had been much less than an average, and at the beginning of 1891 but little of the old supplies of grain was left over. The harvest of 1891 was nearly a total failure throughout a vast region in central Russia extending from, roughly speaking, say, three hundred miles north, south and west of Moscow, in a north-easterly direction over a plain eight hundred to a thousand miles in width, over the Ural mountains, and some distance into Siberia in Asiatic Russia --- a district of nearly a million square miles. Ordinarily this is the most productive part of the Empire, upon which the remainder of the country has been accustomed to draw for food supplies in the frequent cases of deficiency elsewhere. The appearance of the country is similar to our prairie states before the growth of the planted trees in the early days; the soil is a rich, black loam that usually produces good harvests. It was estimated by those best qualified to judge that from thirty to thirty-five million of people were sufferers by the famine of 1891. Count Tolstoi gave up his whole time to mitigating the suffering caused by this great disaster, and to understanding the situation broadly. He went into the houses of the people, and studied their needs sympathetically: he placed himself by their side, and with his dramatic instinct understood them, and where the hurt was felt and how it could be cured, if it could be cured at all. At that time the Count wrote of these poor, fatalistic, drudges: "I asked them what sort of a harvest they had had, and how they were getting along; and they replied in a blithe, offhand, manner: " Oh3 right enough, God be praised! And yet these unfortunate people who reside in the most distressed districts of the Government of Toola, cannot possibly Ive through the winter, Unless they bestir themselves in time. (from unless to time is underlined). They are bound to die of hunger, or some disease engendered by hunger, as surely as a hive of bees left to face the rigors of a northern winter, without honey or sweets, must perish miserably before the advent of spring. The all-important question therefore, is this: Will they exert themselves while yet they possess the strength, if, indeed, it be not already wholly exhausted. Every thing that I saw or heard pointed with terrible distinctness to a negative reply. One of these farmers had sold out the meager possessions which he could call his own, and had left for Moscow to work or beg. The others staid on and waited with naive curiosity watching for what would happen next, like children, who, having fallen into a hole in the ice, or lost their way in a dense forest, and not realizing at first the terrible danger of their situation, heartily laugh at its unwantedness." "Unless they bestir themselves in time"---what a text is this! They are all the time overborne by the apathy of fear, of unused powers, of suppression and depression. Courage, hope, enterprise to bestir themselves, where will they come from? Not,surely, from fear, more discouragement. The coming of the food ships from America mitigated the hunger for a while, and tided them over to the next harvest, perhaps, but the invisible freight these ships carried did more, it is believed to kindle the dying embers of hope and courage, and so did the most needed work of relief. The Red Cross societies of Russia took the Red Cross offerings 4 of America and helped to distribute them--not as something that an all-powerful government might give them for their support, without any exertion of their own, which is apt to engender the very spirit of pauperism--but as the free-will offerings of people like themselves to show their sympathy and to help tide them over a temporary difficulty, when they could again goon their own way to better harvests and a prosperity they themselves should in the future create for themselves and their children. The work of the American National Red Cross in the Russian famine of 1891-2 was comparatively less than in some others of the conspicuous fields in which it had done its work. The impulse to help in the work of that relief sprang up simultaneously in many American hearts and homes, in New York, in Philadelphia, in Minnesota and Iowa. In Iowa it took the form of a veritable crusade for a most holy cause; beginning in the fervid and indomitable spirit of Miss Alice French- "the Octave Thanet " of literature - - it quickly enlisted Mr. B.F. Tillinghast, Editor of the Davenport Democrat, who became its director-in-chief and organizing force, everywhere felt, everywhere organizing it, and promoting it in every direction and in every form. The movement was taken up by the women of Iowa and Governor Boies became a prime mover, till the whole state at last joined in a triumphal march bearing corn, God's best gift to man, to the Atlantic Coast in a procession of two hundred and twenty-five carloads, exceeding five hundred bushels in each car. The corn was all5 consigned to Miss Barton in New York and reached her agents there without accident or delay. The American National Red Cross had authentic intelligence of the famine in Russia before it had attracted general attention; it had placed itself in communication with the Secretary of State, the Hon. James G. Blaine, and the Russian Charge -de affairs at Washington, Mr. Alexander Gregor, and had ascertained that Russia would gladly receive any donations of relief that the people of America might send to her famine stricken people. Not only would they receive supplies, but would send their ships for them, and provide inland transportation from Russian ports to the destitute people for whom these benefactions were intended. American declined to allow her suffering sister nation to cross the seas to get this food, and quickly arranged to carry it to her. All the American agencies concerned met this movement in the boblest spirit; railroad companies gave free transportation, telegraph companies the free use of wires, brokers and steamship agents declined their usual commissions, and some insurance companies even gave premiums for the safe delivery of the precious cargo into the hands of the starving people. Congress had been appealed to for ocean transportation, and the Senate had voted a liberal appropriation, but the bill was wrecked in the House of Representatives. Then the citizens of Washington took up the matter and were joined by the Society of Elks, a benevolent order, throughout the country, and funds to charter a steamship to carry the cargo to Russia were soon raised and placed in the hands 6 of the Red Cross. The sentiment that roused and sustained this great movement on the part of the people of America was a mingled one of sympathy for starving Russian peasants , and gratitude for timely moral help of the Russian navy during the Civil War, when Great Britain was threatening to intervene against the integrity of the Union and the power of the American Government. Was it accident or design that chose the British steamship "Tynehead" to carry this material expression of American sympathy and gratitude for Russian action against the British navy in the Civil warland enabled the President of the American National Red Cross, on the deck of a British vessel, in the hearing of British officers and crew, in presence of the American people, to say that, "These tributes of American to Russia in her hour of temporary distress were not to be counted as gifts,for they had been richly earned; not even accounted as loans, for they had anticipated a hundred-fold in an hour of our own peril-far greater, God grant, than Russia may over know. They were not even the principal of a great national debt, but a tithe of the interest long due, and joyously acknowledged --acknowledged there under the triple shadow of the three great flags floating above, blending now in their mighty folds the finest, purest attributes of God's holy gifts to man, peace, love and charity. Mr. Tillinghast is describing the scene of the departure of the "Tynehead" from New York at which the above quoted words were spoken, said "Captain Carr, a brave son and a Briton, who had been7 tossed by the waves from the Indian Ocean to the Bay of Fundy, was for a moment speechless. The hardy sailors about him bowed, and their eyes moistened. There was not a man on that ship who had ever before been charged with the delivery of such a cargo." A tug hauled the ship out into the river at high tide. She was greeted by saluting whistles of passing ferries, yachts and steamers, by waving flags and cheers from thousands. The "Tynehead" was headed for the long voyage to the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic on the shores of Russia. Dr. Hubbell, representative of the Red Cross to the general conference of the Red Cross to be held at Rome, and authorized to proceed to Riga and receive and distribute with the Russian Red Cross this gift of Iowa, was already on his ocean voyage and ready to do his part in this beautiful blending of international courtesies and services that it is the mission of the red Cross to devise and to carry out wherever it can make or find the fitting opportunity. Dr. Hubbell arrival on time at Riga and will state the facts about the distribution of the cargo. It must not be thought that the Russian government or people were indifferent to the sufferings of their fellow countrymen during this great misfortune, or that they made no sufficient effort to meet their needs or relieve their sufferings. The question has often been asked: "While America was not active in this charity, what was the government of Russia doing for its unfortunates." Perhaps this query is best answered by quoting from the official report of 8 the American Ambassador, at St. Petersburg, the Hon, Chas, Emory, Smith, to his government, which was written at that time, and says: "In the presence of this national disaster the Russian government has not been passive. Without reviewing the administrative system, it must be said that it has sought to grapple in liberal measures with the tremendous problem. Before the 1st of March 1892, it had appropriated one hundred and fifty million rubles or seventy-five million dollars for this purpose, and the direct outlay by June can hardly be less than two hundred million rubles. Besides this, taxes have been remitted, and work has been furnished where practicable. Vast quantities of grain have been bought and brought from the rich fields of the Caucasus, though, with the limited means of communication and the loss of horses, it has been difficult to convey it to the regions remote from railroads. Large public works, employing hundreds of thousands of men have been undertaken. The forests of the imperial domain have been opened to the peasants for fuel. The proprietary class have, as a rule, in this emergency proved worthy of their positions and responsibilities. There are single families taking care of as many as twenty thousand people. The women, especially, have come forward with a consecration and self-sacrifice which commands admiration. If it were not invidious or indelicate many cases might be cited of ladies of gentle birth who have left their homes, craved the dangers of disease, faced the hardships of an unaccustomed and trying life, and given up weeks and9 months to the feeding of the hungry and ministering to the sick. One thing ought in fairness to be said. The Emperor has been published abroad as indifferent. It is only just to remark that this peculiar kind of indifference has been manifested not merely in a vigorous direction of the later governmental operations of relief, even to the summary dismissal of inefficient agents, but in gifts from his private purse, which, if the belief of St. Petersburg can be accepted, amount to fifteen or twenty times all the contributions of all the world outside of Russia." Ambassador Smith estimates that the American donations supported more than seven hundred thousand people for a month. This may be accepted as the result of their practical work for humanity. From the above report it will be seen that the distress was so excessive and widespread that even the available resources of so great an empire as Russia were [nearly exhausted] sorely tested in the endeavor to succor its famishing people; and that its people of all classes rose nobly to the work of the occasion. That the substantial sympathy of the American people was fully appreciated by the Russian people may be gathered from what follows. The Mayor of St. Petersburg, in an address on behalf of that city to American donors, declared: "The Russian people know how to be grateful. If up to this day these two great countries, Russia and the United States, have not only never quarreled, but on the contrary, wished each other prosperity and strength always, these feelings of sympathy shall grow only stronger in the future--both countries 10 being conscious that, in the season of trial for either it will find in the other cordial succor and support. And when can true friendship be tested if not in the hour of misfortune? A peasant of Samara sent to a Russian editor, together with three colored eggs, a letter which he asked to have forwarded to America. It appeared in the Century Magazine. Here is an extract: "Christ is risen! To the merciful benefactors, the protectors of the poor, the feeders of the starving, the guardians of the orphans-- Christ is risen! North Americans! May the Lord grant you a peaceful and long life and prosperity in your land, and may your fields give abundant harvests--Christ is risen. Your mercifulness gives us a helping hand. Through your charity you have satisfied the starving[;] And for your magnificent alms accept from me this humble gift which I send to the entire American people for your great beneficence, from all the hearts of the poor, filled with feelings of joy." Count Bebrinskoi, writing officially to the Secretary of the Iowa Russian Famine Relief Commission, used these words: "It gives me great pleasure indeed to express to you the sincere appreciation that the Russian people entertain toward the splendid work organized in America for the relief of the sufferers in our famine-stricken districts. I can assure you that the same deep gratitude is felt, not only by the poor who received the generous American contributions, but also by us all, who, having worked for this relief, know how much it was needed. I know by Dr. Hubbell how great was the activity of your people, as well as that of Miss Clara11 Barton in sending us the "Tynehead", and how much you have done in the interests of our people. The names of Indiana, Missouri, Conemaugh, "Tynehead" and Leo will always remind us of the most beautiful example of international charity and fraternal love that history has perhaps ever mentioned." On the first anniversary of the arrival of the Iowa ship, "Tynehead", at Riga, there was a significant event in Philadelphia. The Russian man-of-war, the "Dimitre Donskoi", the flagship of the North Atlantic squadron, anchored in the Deleware river. The vessel was decorated with flags and the officer of the day was the Grand Duke Alexander. By special invitation of this representative of the Czar, Dr. Hubbell and the nine other American commissioners who went to Russia in behalf of the donors were present on board. They were received with the most impressive honors. The Czar had sent by his officer gifts, and the presentations were made in the name of his majesty, under the imperial flags. A large open trunk contained ten boxes of polished wood, and each of these were inscribed: "In remembrance of your visit to Russia." Accompanying each was a letter expressive of his majesty's gratitude. The tokens were all magnificent specimens of Russian art work in silver. The Iowa commissioners' was a decanter of cut glass ornamented with silver and gilt enamel, and six cups. The Department of State at Washington, under date of January 11th,1894, forwarded the following: "I have to inform you that on November 7th,1893, the United States Minister at St. Petersburg received 12 received from the nobility of that city, through their Marshal, Count Alexis Bobrinskoi, an address to the people of the United States. This address, which is in the English language, embodies in terms fitly chosen, the thanks of the Russian people to the American for to aid sent to their country from our own during the famine periods of the past two years; it is beautifully engrossed and its illumination embraces water color drawings which render it a most attractive work of art. The document, which is superbly bound and enclosed in a fine case, was duly forwarded to this city by Minister White and will be given a conspicuous place in the library of this department.1 Arrived in St. Petersburg. It would be a week or ten days before we could expect the arrival of the "Tynehead" with its cargo for the famine sufferers; but we had a copy of her manifest and knew what she would bring. There was something of anxiety, amounting even to consternation, among St. Petersburg officials and those who would have to dowwith the reception of the ship, for reports from the United States had been circulated that persons were on board the vessel who were objectionable if not avowed enemies to the Russian Government, and such could not be recognized nor received. Elaborate ceremonies had [been] been held on the arrival of the other relief ships and were contemplated for the 'Tynehead". This we did not want, and took occasion to express the feelings of the Red Cross and of American donors in [xacknoxwlegingx] a letter acknowledging courtesies extended from the President of the Russian Red Cross affording opportunities to visit various institutions of the Red Cross, and particularly the daily working departments, in its clinics, dispensaries, hospitals and training departments for active service in civil work as well as military field work. Letter. St. Petersburg, May ,1892. To His Excellency, General de Kauffmann, President of the Red Cross of Russia. Honored President:- I desire to express my thanks for the courtesies and the privilege of becoming acquainted with the every day practical work of 2 the Red Cross of Russia as shown by the kindness of Secretaries. Nowhere have I seen more complete, comfortable and generous provision for the general care of the sick poor than here in the institutions of the Red Cross and under its work. And there can be no doubt that the practical experience that the workers are receiving daily will greatly increase their efficiency for service in time of war. It will be a source of pleasure to make a report to the American Red Cross of the practical work of the Russian Society in time of peace. Regarding the arrival of the cargo of the ship "Tynehead", I trust your excellency has already understood by our charge d' affaris, Mr. Wurts, that no public demonstrations have been nor are desired. This cargo is largely from the people of an agricultural state, many of whom have suffered from failure of crops in their own country and thus keenly appreciate similar conditions that others may suffer when such a vast territory as the interior of Russian Empire is denied rain season after season in succession; and they have simply taken this method of expressing their sympathy,for it is their custom to give in like manner in their own country whenever occasions of calamity or suffering of any kind require the aid of outside help. At this particular time they feel that perhaps the same rains that had been withheld from their brothers in Russia had given the increase to their own crops, which have been unusually abundant the past year; and thus added duty to desire. Moreover, there is a deep brotherly feeling throughout the nation;for our people never forget that Russia has always been the friend of America. And further, the arrangements of your various committees in the matter of distribution leave nothing to be desired, and that the final reports will afford great pleasure and satisfaction to those who have them to make, there is every reason to believe. With great respect, J.B.Hubbell, Genl. Field Agent American Red in charge cargo "Tynehead". The following is General Kaufmann's answer: St. Petersburg, 11/23/1898. J.B. Hubbell, M.D., General Field Agent, American Red Cross. Much Honored Sir:- I am eager to express to you herewith my most sincere thankfulness for the sympathetic account of the activity of the Russian Red Cross Society, which you have been so kind to give in your letter of the 8th, May current. You have had the occasion to persuade yourself of the common direction between the Russian and American Societies of the Red Cross, by which the help to our fellow creatures is not re-[4] 3 stricted to the relief of suffering in time of war, but is extended to all the calls of national calamities from the gratuitous medical treatment of the poor, to the large help afforded in time of epidemic disease, famine and other calamities. It is to me a great pleasure to see the sympathy of the American people to the Russian, the proof of which has been in the last years so evident. As you are instructed by the American Red Cross to express this feeling of sympathy to our society, I beg you to believe the heartfelt expressions of the like feeling from our side, which I pray to present in our name to your society and to the people of the United States. The gift brought by the "Tynehead" will be accepted with deep gratitude and distributed among the needy people,according to the wish of the givers, through the offices of the beneficent committee under the august Presidency of His Imperial Majesty the Heir to the Crown. I avail myself of the present occasion to pray you to accept the assurance of my perfect consideration. The President of the Russian Red Cross Society, M. de Kauffmann. Through the help of Mr. Wurts of our legation; our Consul General, Dr.Crawford; Count Bobrinskoy, representing the Russian Red Cross, and the Government as well as the Czarowitch Committee; and through the active help of Mr. W. H. Hilton, an Englishman at the head of the large linseed oil works, deacon in the Anglo-American Church, whose thirty years business acquaintance over Eastern Russian and his sympathy for the people in distress, particularly fitting him for the work; the assignment of the cargo was arranged to be sent to eighty-two famine centers for distribution. It was to be consigned to persons of unquestioned integrity and fitness for the work. These people had been communicated with, and their acceptance of the charge assured, and the number of carloads that each should receive made known to each, that he might make the necessary provision for its reception and distribution. Count Bobrinskoy had ordered three hundred and twenty freight cars to be in readiness at Riga to receive and transport the cargo free of cost to whatever point we would desire. When these preliminary arrangements had been completed and the "Tynehead" sighted from the signal station, we started in company with Count Bobrinskoy for Riga, the port that had been selected by the Russian Ambassador in Washington as being most favorable for transporting to the interior. [Here again the coming of the ship]5 The "Tynehead" was a big ship, one the largest ocean freighters, and came too heavily loaded to enter the harbor until her cargo had been partly discharged by lighters, and she anchored eight miles from the port. The Governor's ship, having on board his Excellency, Znovief, Count Bobrinakoi, representative of the Czarovitch Committee, N. von Cramer, representing the Red Cross of Russia, R. Kerkovius, President of the Exhhange of Riga, von Richer, Chief of Police, von Keldermann, Chief of Customs, von Nagel, Captain of the Port, H.P. Bornholdt, U. S. Consul, and J.B. Hubbell, steamed an hour down the river to welcome the "Tynehand", which had all flags and streamers flying and by the activity of our Consul, Mr. Bornholdt, the lighters lying alongside to take in the grain. After an hour on board the Captain was brought back in the Governor's ship on which we lunched, and later dined at the Governor's palace, where the Captain was presented with a beautiful tea service of Russian enamel inlaid work as a present from the Czar. Count Bobrinskoy arranged that two lines of cars should be kept on the dock into which the grain should be carried direct from the ship shich lay alongside the wharf. As soon as a car was filled it was shifted, weighed, and sealed, and when enough were filled they were made into trains and sent to their destinations with right of way over every other traffic on the road, not excepting express and passenger trains, and at their destination no person presumed to break the seal save the one to whom it was consigned. When we reached Riga we learned that two hundred and forty peasants had been waiting on the dock two days, waiting and waiting for the ship from America. Not waiting for food, for Riga was not in a famine province, but waiting that they might not miss the opportunity and the honor of unloading the American ship that had brought food to their unfortunate brothers in the interior. As soon as they could get into the hold of the ship, [they] 40 of them began to unload it. They worked night and day, without rest, determined to unload the entire cargo themselves without help. But on the third night our Consul, Mr. Bornholdt, insisted on their having a relief of twelve hours, and when the time was up they were all in their places again, and remained until the cargo was out, declining to take any pay for their labor. Twelve women worked along with them in the same spirit in the ship and on the dock, with needles, sewing up the rents or rips in the7 bags to prevent waste in handling. Only a part of the "Tynehead's" cargo was in bags; hence for convenience and economy in handling and the final distribution, we purchased in St. Petersburg and Riga forty three thousand additional bags to suck the rest of the cargo, which in all amounted to nearly 117,000 bushels of shelled corn and 11,033 bags of flour and meal, besides small amounts of wheat, rye, bacon, canned goods, drugs, etc., requiring three hundred and seven Russian freight cars for its transportation. Some of this was reshipped on steamboats sent up the headwaters of the Volga, reshipped again on cars nearly to the foot of the Ural Mountains, a distance of 3,000 miles from Riga. Notwithstanding our declaration while in St. Petersburg that neither the Red Cross nor the American people desired any public ceremonies in the way of acknowledgements, dinners, excursions and public demonstrations and illuminations were planned, which we felt ourselves obligated to decline on the ground we had first taken, that any effort and any money proposed to be used in this manner would be most acceptable to all Americans if turned into food for the hungry, for whom we had come to help. At our hotel the Russian and American colors were crossed over the entrance; in the shop windows were the American colors, and inother places where it seemed that these were not easily procured title pages of American sheet music were displayed - - such as "America", "Hail Columbia" "Yankee Doodle", "Star Spangled Banner", etc., and little 8 boys in the streets carried small American flags of their own make -- One little fellow I saw had made the Russian flag on one side and the American on the other side of his device. The telephone office we kept open all night to be ready for any possible want, and the locomotive with steam up for any possible service. The custom house floated on its main flagstaff only the American flag during the entire time of the unloading of the "Tynehead", from Saturday morning until Tuesday noon, three days and a half. When all was finished at Riga, the last train on its way, all had been so well planned, so well done in every particular that we felt there was not the least necessity for any further attention on our part in looking after this charge. But to the donors at home Russia was a long way off. They had no personal knowledge of the people they were trying to help, and some critic had circulated misgivings about the gifts reaching their intended destination. Hence that we might be prepared to give a report from personal observation for the satisfaction and the gratification of the people at home who had contributed these stores, we decided to follow some of these cars and see how the final distributions were made. Our first objective point in the famine district was the Province of [Toula the district] Nym Norgord in which Count Tolstoi lives. But we must go by Moscow, where by the kind courtesy of Count Bobrinskoy we received a telegram stating that his brother would pass through the city to the famine district, and his company could be made available, if desired. Such an opportunity was not to be lost. We change our course and pass to the south,, first by rail9 to Bogorodizk, thence by droschky to Michailovskoi, to the house of Chestoperoff, Manager of the beet sugar mills of the Bobrinskois. Here the home taste and appearance of everything inside make one feel as if they were in their own New England home, although not a word of English is spoken. After breakfast the next morning we go to the distributing station, which is supported by the Bobrinskoi family in one of the sugar mill buildings. Here we find the doctor, the baker, the soupmaker, several of the first ladies of the place, great cauldrons of excellent soup, tea, milk, Nestles food, rye and Indian bread --the tea and milk are for the sick and for the children--and the doctor who is familiar with every family directs who shall receive and what. The bread and the soup are served on regular account, the houses and families all having been visited and the condition of each carefully recorded. As soon as one is able in part to care for himself the bread is sold at a moderate price. A number of villages are supplied from this bakery and kitchen, and this is but one of nine carried on by this family entirely at their own expense. In the afternoon we visit different villages, some twenty houses or more. We find two Red Cross nurses from Moscow, who are at work and have their home with the peasants. In four months one has lost but four cases; the other but two; and the average number of sick in the past four months by the doctor's report is three hundred. The peasants say they would rather do without the doctor than be without the nurses in the village. 10 The peasants home consist of one or two square rooms, built of logs, stone, or mud bricks, with floor of earth, and furniture of boards. One quarter of the room is given up to the brick oven, which is so constructed that it serves not only for a stove, oven, cupboard, and bed in cold weather, but the chickens and small animals find protection from the cold underneath during the severe cold weather. but the chickens and small animals find protection from the cold underneath during the severe cold weather. Usually a large horizontal pipe of terra cotta passes overhead and oat through a thatched roof of straw, which is often two feet thick. The fuel may be wood, straw, or dry dung; fuel is scarce. A deep cellar, well covered, outside, may hold potatoes, roots,etc. The cattle and other animals find shelter in a room adjoining the family. At Bogorodizk another royal family, in addition to similar to the work above named, supplied the peasants with raw material for spinning, weaving and making of native goods and garments both for themselves and for the market, which the countess found either at home or by sending them to the larger cities. Through letters of introduction we had the good fortune to find Count Tolstoi on his estate at Yasnia Polonia.# 11 When the Count was asked his opinion of the cause of the existing conditions, he said the Government might not like to have him say that the peasants should have more food and own it themselves --that now they have only enough in the best seasons to give barely food for their support, and when a year of scarcity comes, they cannot help being destitute. When asked if there had been improvement in their conditions since the emancipation, he said if that meant in the way of property, financially, no, but mentally there had been progress and development. One of the first questions Count Tolstoi asked was "What do you think of most? Would I excuse him for such a question; but he always liked to get into sympathy with the person he was talking with and to know how to understand him. What subjects occupied my mind most when going to sleep, etc.?" At night I slept in the library surrounded by English and American books and magazines. When asked about the demoralizing effect of giving free help to the peasants, as said by many, he though that an excuse of those who did not want to help. The peasant was never so unhappy as when out of work and had nothing to do. Even a day's idleness was tiresome to him,and he did not think that a people who had been worked to their full endurance for a generation were going to be demoralized by giving them soup when they were hungry. Peasants were coming at all hours of the day to see the # 12 Count. At dinner time two had been waiting several hours. The Count let the dinner go on, and stopped to read a long paper they had brought; read it through carefully; had a long talk with them; unfolded the paper again to look over passages ore carefully after further talk he read again, and told me after they were gone, for remained with him,that they were having a law suit and had come to him for advice, and so far as he could judge, the peasants were in the right. When I bad him good-by he said, from what he had heard of Miss Barton, he felt that she must be a very near relation, and wished me to give her his love. Starting again for Mijni Novgorod we meet at Moscow Mr. Frank G. Carpenter, the writer and lecturer, who accompanied us through the Volga and Southern districts. Leaving Moscow in the evening by the fast express, we reached Mijni the next forenoon at ten. Here we were entertained by the Governor. The city of Mijni Novogrod has a population of about sixty thousand ten months of the year; during the other two months its population is increased to six hundred thousand. This extra population from the 27th of July to about the 15th of August inhabit the "dead city" in which not a single family lives the rest of the year. Yet it contains one of the largest and finest buildings in Russia, and not a match nor a cigar can be lighted at any time under penalty of twenty five roubles. The "dead city" is built at the junction of the Oka River with the Volga, opposite the living city so that it is yearly inundated to the ceiling of#13 the first story when the spring rise of forty feet or more comes with the melting of the snow. Here too is located on of the largest churches of Nijni, and on the Volga side the Siberian wharves. In the living city is the residence of the Governor on a clay bluff four hundred and seventy feet above the river, with the business part at the foot of the bluff adjoining the river. Ninji being in direct line of free river transportation as well as railway connection between and St. Petersburg, Siberia, China, and the Caspian districts, the Causasus, the oil region of Southern Russia, with its wine, grain, and fruit district make this city a great commercial center, and its pulse of famine or plenty is probably felt here as soon as in any part of the empire. In the two months names traders from nearly every European and Asiatic country gather here with every variety of goods and product that can be carried by rail, water, or caravan, grains, hides, leather, teas, metals, precious stones, fish, meats, cloths,silks, peasants' works and weavings; and the great sandbar in the river Oka of several hundred acres is covered with Siberian iron. Electricity furnishes light where needed, for it will be remembered that it is light enough [at this site] in summer time in this latitude to read a newspaper at midnight. Here are also royal quarters for the Governor and state officials, whose social and executive residences here during the entire time of the fair in which time the Governor is absolute as the Czar in power. Nijni claims to have been the first provincial government of Russia to take active measures to relieve the sufferers by famine. The first news came to the Governor from reports of dry weather in #14 his province in May, 1891, for the crops of the three preceding years had been short, and at this time the peasants had begun to ask for bread, having already sold a part of their horses and tools; and only two of the eleven districts had sufficient bread for their people. Without waiting to consult the general Government, in order to save time, the Governor took the responsibility upon himself of immediately purchasing one hundred and twenty-five thousand poods [*a pood is about 40 lbs*] or twenty-two hundred tons of grain, and sent this in the early part of June to the districts most effected y the drouth. He used his influence to stop speculation in grain, and formed a commission from all the districts to carry out relief measures. It was after this that the Department of the Interior appropriated one million rubles ($530,000) to buy bread. [It has been a custom] It has been a custom in Russia that when a loan is made to the poor peasants (poor & peasants underlined) that the rich (rich is underlined) peasant of the community are held equally responsible for the payment; hence they have fallen into the habit of claiming an equal apportionment whenever loans have been made for relief measures in times past. Thus the Zemstvo (the elective magistrates of the village) have the power in themselves independent of the Governor to say that they had not ordered nor asked for the grain, and refuse to receive it for those really needing it. Hence the Governor of Nijni ordered that they should not be held responsible for the loan; that is, that only those receiving should be charged with the loan. The whole loan here received was $6,350,000 rubles, all of#15 which except 150,000 rubles had been distributed when we visited the district. In these nine needy districts of Nijni Novgorod Providence there were 587,000 persons needing assistance that were excluded from the Government loan as being between the ages of fifteen and fifty-five--"therefore able-bodied and able to work." The Nijni Governor followed his judgment rather than the instructions of the Minister of the Interior, and seeing that this amount was insufficient and that no provision had been made for cattle and horses, he tried to get permission to begin public works in order to furnish labor and pay to those needing it; but this was not secured until December, when 3,000,000 rubles were appropriated for roads, 420,000 rubles for town improvements, 40,000 for schools and churches. From eight to ten thousand men were given work in the woods at fifty kopeks 27 cts. per day, and one ruble and fifty kopeks about 77 cts per team. To secure a general interest of the people the Governor made every public commission (boards of directors, trustees, etc.) take an active part in the relief work. He was the first to create commissions among the nobility to superintend relief work, combining the Red Cross, the churches and other individual organizations all into one committee, so that when the Crown Prince's Committee was formed on the 28th of December 341,000 rubles had been received and distributed besides 52,020 poods 2,080,800 of bread which had been given to those who had no right to the Governmental loan. #16 By contributions three hundred and thirty-one kitchens were established in villages, giving meals for one-half to two kopeks per meal. Nijni, with a living population of sixty-thousand, contributed one hundred and ninety thousand rubles. Places [are] were established in Nijni where twenty kitchen meal tickets may be purchased for one ruble. The citizens buy these and give to such as may ask when the applicant is unknown and they desire to help. These tickets [are] were not salable, only usable to the kitchen.#17 From Nijni we take steamer down the Volga, and through the kindness of Mr. Zeveke we are allowed time to visit each town on the Volga. [Note: there is writing above this sentence that could not be read] At Samara we find Mr. Bezant, one of our consignees, just recovered from the typhus which was contracted in his relief work. And we get direct reports from Count Tolstio, Junior, father to the East, and Prince Dolgoruhow in the district of Burulich. [all doing good work] The Province of Samara alone lost five hundred thousand cattle, as many horses and one million five hundred thousand sheep. At Volsk [we stopped for an hour and] found many people around the church. The bells in a dozen different towers all ringing; from another church a large procession of a thousand people [is] were coming, bearing on high poles crosses and banners and icons. They are joined by the people from the first church, with their crosses and banners which are not raised till the first procession is joined, and all march in their variegated red and yellow and bright colored dresses, with bare feet and uncovered heads in the broiling sun, miles to the open fields to pray for rain, which has still been withheld from this section of Saratoff Province. #18 The town of Saratoff has a population of 125,000, contains many Germans from having been one of the German colonies founded by Queen Catherine during her reign, to encourage agricultural industries. Here as in Volsk we found the people in the fields praying for rain, and in the evening it came. Here we met Mr. Golden, an Englishman who has been the active agent in the Saratoff District, and Mr. Muhler, a German, who has been the active worker on the east side of the Volga in Samara Province. Both these gentlemen, together with a Catholic Bishop say that the American help, both in material and money, came so opportunely that it saved thousands of lives that otherwise must have been lost. It came when they could get nothing from other sources, and their thanks to America are unbounded. The relief was "as if the Lord had ordered it." Of they "Tynehead's" cargo Saratoff received fifty-three carloads and the Province of Samara one hundred and four cars. There was a small quantity of the corn that was put in to the ship during a rain and was wet and began to show signs of heating when unloaded. This was sent to Saratoff with a suggestion that they use if for their cattle, but when we reached that place the peasants had washed the corn and dried it, and said it made very good bread.#19 As a typical incident and as an expression of the universal feeling throughout Russia, when we reached the platform of the station to start westward, a Russian gentleman who could speak a little English, and another one and his wife who could not, came to the train with a waiter bearing champagne and glasses, and made a [beautiful] speech of thanks, expressing the gratitude of the people of Russia to American for the heartfelt sympathy she had so beautifully expressed, and [for] the help she had brought to their people in a time of distress made every Russian feel to want to personally express his thanks. Wishing every success to [the] its representatives, they drank to America and bon voyage. #19 ½ On our way eastward from Saratoff we stopped at an island station and went into the country some miles near Tabbof where two carloads of corn had been consigned. Here it was being ground in the wind mills and made into the old-fashioned New England rye and indian loaves and baked in great, brick ovens, just as we had found in other places.Riga After the last car had been sealed and the way bills sent, we were speaking of the harmony and unity that existed in all the different branches of this relief work, and it incidentally came out that the Count and his family were carrying on an extensive system of relief among the peasants in the famine district, supplying some thirty villages with rye and corn bread, obtaining their corn from Southern Russia, with soup, broth and tea for the sick, and Nestle's food for the babies --the latter an experiment of his own. It was suggested that in such an extensive work as this he should have had some of the American corn, but he replied they could get on very well without it; that his family had taken that work upon themselves to do at the beginning, and would continue to do it until next August and did not need other help. I expressed a desire to see this work, which I find is a sample of what is being so quietly done all over Russia that its extent is not known until one comes upon it. + 5 + 1 Michaeloviski < < L 2 - [5] 2. + 6 or 1 Everywhere we found people of all classes [and particularly those of wealth] giving their time to the work of relief to supplement the governmental help; and this does not mean simply directing, superintending, or planning work for others to execute, but I find men giving up their own business, the attention of their estates, to see personally to the detail as well as the general work of relief. I found cultivated, intelligent, refined women making their homes in the huts of the peasants, where they [can] could be nearer their work. I find countesses working in the huts of the typhus hospitals, or taking #21 the sick into their own homes, giving up social [pleasures] [b] and personal comforts, their own plans, in order to make their work of relief more effective. If the official side of Russia is subject to criticism, concern, surely the quiet, personal work and self sacrifice of its people in this calamity, [if it were known, would be] is an example for any Christian people. While at the hotel [dinner] table Count George told how his nature would protest against a good hotel dinner after he had returned from [one of] his investigating tours in the famine district to learn the situation as a member of the Grand Duke's Committee, for, he says, "the ruble [s] spent for wine and coffee would keep a peasant child or mother a whole month." But" he says when he got back to St. Petersburg away from the distressing, [ieo3^veg60x] it did not trouble him at all to eat a good full meal. [6o'|5,/-Uu,/^?'6wg7sy.?6/*S( )-] When going over the ground to see how the relief work had bee done for his committee, he came to a village that was in a very bad condition [and~*e+6u\c'7#6e]] asked the Zemstov if a kitchen could not be established. The reply was no; there was no one to manage it. "But" he said, "you have a school here; the teacher can take charge of the kitchen." "No, he is not capable; he is too slow and of no account.#22 and we intend to get ride of him as soon as we can get someone to take his place." There is not a person in the village that could conduct a kitchen." The Count in his rounds came t the school house and found, as he had been told, that the schoolmaster did not look miserable enough. In an old, worn and even ragged coat, and learned that he had not received his wages for some months; there was no money to pay him. His roll showed a list of sixty pupils; there were but fifteen present. When asked where the rest were, he replied that it was so near the holiday time -- only ten days-- that he had let them go home. The Count turned to one of the boys and asked if he had had anything to eat today, expecting him to say no; but he said " Yes, he had a warm soup this morning." The same question to the second boy, with the same reply; and so on with all fifteen. When asked where they got their soup, they said the master had given it to them, and had been ding so for some weeks. The master stood in the corner with his face very red, looking very much ashamed. It was then learned that when the schoolmaster fund his pupils coming to school without food, he began to use the savings he had laid by to feed them until his purse would not allow him to continue with so large a number; and he had let all but the fifteen go, and he was feeding and teaching them from the savings of other years. The Count said he could not pay him his wages due, but he was furnished the village with the means for a soup kitchen, and the master was put in charge and conducted it in such a manner that no one thought of his being an incompetent manager. #23 The shipping of the cargo of corn in the "Tynehead" to the Baltic in a voyage of twenty-eight days and its distribution through Russia answers a number of questions that were raised when the proposition to send corn to Russia was contemplated. These questionings came from business men, shippers, boards of trade, the produce exchange and philanthropists, and by some it was stoutly asserted that corn could not bear ocean transportation that distance without spoiling. And if it should pass without spoiling, it was affirmed they had no mills to grind it in Russia, that the peasant know nothing about corn, that they could not change their habit of living, and therefore would be unable to make use of it, if received. One of the leading business men of the country went so far as to write that we might as well ship a cargo of pebbles as a cargo of unground corn. Hence there was a degree of real satisfaction to see the entire cargo, with the exception of a small quantity loaded in the ruin, come out of the ship in as good condition as when it was put in the hold, and to find in our journey that the peasants needed no suggestion on about grinding it in [his] their windmills, which were amply sufficient. But when the little corn that had heated [and] was sent to Samara with [a] the suggestion that it be used to feed the cattle, with four days in the hot stage in the cars, and this was still used by the peasants and called good, (good is underlined) it removed any doubt that might be forced into one's mind that a starving peasant would die rather than eat a food that he was not accustomed to.#24 Referring back to St. Petersburg, after our list had been made up for the general distribution of the cargo Mr. Hilton carefully went over it and said, from his personal knowledge of the people to whom the consignments were to be made, he would be willing to personally guarantee that eighty per cent, of everything send according to the list would be honestly and faithfully distributed, just as the donors wished, and he further believed that the remaining twenty per cent, would be as faithfully handled. My trip to the various places of distribution, widely separated and at unexpected times, confirmed Mr. Hilton's belief that the entire cargo could not have gone through better hands in any land. To be able, after such observations and inquiries, to give this report is a satisfaction that repays for all the anxious care and responsibility that one naturally felt with such a charge. To add to this, the deep gratitude expressed by nobleman and peasant alike, in capital or in far-away, unfrequented interior, village always the same, even the humblest peasant refusing compensation for any service rendered, manifests a genuine gratitude and friendliness to America and Americans which has characterized Russia during all the years of our national intercourse. THE MOUNT VERNON, ILLINOIS, CYCLONE Sunday, February 19th, 1888, will ever be a memorable day in the annals of the little town of Mount Vernon, Illinois -- a day of supreme horrors, destruction, and death. There had been thunder and lightning during the afternoon, followed by rain and hail, which had given way to an ominous stillness. The sky was covered with a weird light, and the air was strangely oppressive. The clouds rapidly changed color, rolling, and whirling, and dropping nearer to the earth, until suddenly they assumed the dreaded shape of a huge funnel or inverted cone, which came whirling along with an awful roar, and within three minutes after the fury of the storm had struck the town, thirty people had been killed and scores of others injured, and an immense amount of property destroyed. Mound Vernon is the county seat of Jefferson County, and contained four thousand inhabitants. It was a pretty and prosperous place; its business centre surrounded a public square, where four sides were lined with stores, and the middle ground was occupied by the county court-house a fine, three-story building; its broad streets were bordered with shade trees and lighted by electricity. The cyclone cut abroad swath through the eastern half of the town, destroying everything in its path, tearing down brick houses, uprooting trees, and picking up small wooden and carrying them along as if they were made of cardboard, and finally dashing them to pieces against more substantial obstacles. In a very few minutes after the storm had passed, the sun shone out brightly, but onwhat a scene! The air was filled with cries of anguish coming from the maimed sufferers crushed under the ruins, and with the wailings for the dead and missing. To add to the horrors already wrought, fire broke out in a dozen places. Those who were uninjured quickly came to the rescue, quenching the flames and exerting themselves to relieve the unfortunate victims,who were, in most cases, pinned down under the wreckage of their houses. All night long these brave men and women worked, and when morning came the few houses that remained standing were filled with the dead and injured. Appeals for assistance were sent out to the people of the country; but through an improper statement of the situation the public was misled, and not realizing the pressing needs of the stricken community, failed to take u p the matter in a businesslike manner, and the town was left to suffer for a little of the great abundance that was all around them. In their extremity the despairing citizens appealed to the Red Cross for aid, and we responded at once. Telegraphing the several of my faithful co-workers, who were near the scene of the disaster to join me at Mount Vernon, and taking whatever of stores and money we had available, we were soon on our way to the ill-fated town, arriving there at three o'clock in the morning of one of the most uncomfortable days we can remember. Remaining at the railway station until daybreak--no one knowing of our coming and consequently not meeting us until that time we started out through the mud and show to take a look at the storm's ravages. A most deplorable situation was presented to us; the people were homeless and helpless, neglected, and in a state of mind bordering on insanity; [the dead unburied, and the blood of the injured not yet washed from their bruises.] After a somewhat hasty examination of the town and the people, we sent the following simple message to the agents of the Associated and the United Presses: "The pitiless snow is beating on the heads of the three thousand people, who are without homes, without food or clothing, and without money. Clara Barton." With only this little word to explain the needs of the place, our generous American people responded promptly and liberally, as they always do when they fully understand what is needed, and by whom their largess is to be distributed. It was unnecessary for us to remain longer than two weeks with these people, who, as soon as they recovered from the first shock of their great misfortune, and when they felt that kind friends were by their side, lending them moral and substantial support, manfully went to work to bring order out of chaos, and to rebuild their town and resume their usual avocations. Large and ample quantities of relief supplies of all kinds quickly came to hand, and when we were ready to go, the Citizen's Committee had in its treasury a cash balance of ninety thousand dollars. And so we left them, with their blessings ringing in our ears.Some one has facetiously but truly said: "Mount Vernon is another of the places that would welcome a dog, if he had a Red Cross on his collar." We were scarcely home from Mount Vernon when the yellow fever of Florida broke out in the summer and autumn of 1888. 1 RICHARD J. HINTON'S REPORT OF THE SEA ISLANDS Following is an extract from the very exhaustive report of that gifted writer, Richard J. Hinton, who was appointed a special agent to review the work of the Red Cross in the Sea Islands. Probably no better qualified observer or sterner critic could have been chosen to overlook the labors of another; and it is with much satisfaction that his endorsement is presented: The conditions having been thus presented, as I learned of or saw them personally, I turn to the summarization of the work done between the date of taking control at Beaufort, October 2nd., 1893, and the final withdrawal of the Red Cross from South Carolina, June 4th. of the present year. The leaving of Beaufort and the Sea Islands proper was on the 8th of June. When the work began over 31,000 persons on the islands were in need of food to keep them from starvation, and the larger portion were without shelter or adequate clothing. They were literally a community of people " peeled, stript and riven, "by storm, death, sickness, hunger and nakedness. Their employment was gone, their homes destroyed, their fields made sour and unfertile by sea salt and slime, tools were lost, stock drowned, crops washed out and destroyed; even the birds of the air and the fish of the sea had fled their midst. Themselves seemed to be only tolerated in the state of which they were citizens. It seems almost impossible to make clear how this great mass of persons have been cared for, and further how several thousand more on the main land have been aided also, with the small leans at the disposal of the Red Cross. The aggregate of money received and expended has not exceeded $33,000, and the total value of clothing and benefactions in supplies, transportation, etc., will not exceed, on a[*2*] liberal estimate, as much more. If the total of all at their disposition for the great work done be put at $65,000, it will undoubtedly be a liberal statement. I have not undertaken to make a positive one on the financial side, as I know that will be clearly shown; but I am close enough to accuracy for the purpose before me. Counting the relief then extended to the mainland needy, it may be fairly stated that for a period of eight months 52,500 persons have been kept alive, cared for while sick, and placed again in a fair industrial and self-dependent position,as a working community, upon an expenditure of two dollars per capita, counting all supplies furnished at the money total stated. As to actual cash expended, the per capita has not exceeded one dollar. And to understand how this could be accomplished it has been necessary?for me to make clear, oven to detail, the character of the people aided and the conditions of their usual life. No other people less hardy could have lived through it. None other less kindly in nature, or so ready to follow advice and obey helpful instructions, could have been moved with so little friction, or have been so readily roused to renewed exertions. Of course, it follows that they have all aided each other with what little was left. They could live on so little also, and it was most fortunate too that the food they could readily turn to was both cheap in cost and life sustaining in character. Facing the severe, even savage, problems of the situation, the Red Cross at once grasped: first, The immediate and pressing need-- that of sustaining life on the barest approximate to sustenance that the means at hand allowed. That settled upon, the second step was to formulate the policy that I have assumed to term ["She] [*3*] " The Labor Ration." Other and minor action naturally followed those two points-- to keep the people alive; encourage them to restoration of courage and industry by supplying tools, nails, lumber, etc.; and paying in needed food for the days of labor required to restore themselves and their families to where hope could open for them the way of security again. Miss Barton's experience with the people of these islands during part of the Civil War period was sufficient to aid her judgment. The slaves and freed people were always willing to live on " hog and hominy." So pork and grits were decided upon as staples. The amount issued formerly as plantation rations was necessarily cut to the point which would keep people alive and no more. It seems an awfully meagre ration, but it was like the widow's cruse, enough and a little more: one pound of pork and one pack of grits per week for each of a family of seven. The "Labor ration" when issued was double the "life ration". This was given to the men who dug 300 miles of drainage ditches by which at least 10,000 acres of land were restored to use and fertility. It was issued to the men and women, too, who worked under foremen selected from their own numbers, in re-building and repairing 6,000 cabins, scores of other buildings, wharves, bridges boats, etc.; in road making and ditch digging, with other needed work. The record shows the following interesting facts: "From October 2nd., 1893, to June 7th., 1894, ( the last weekly issue being June 1st. ) a period of thirty-six weeks, 40,500 persons were relieved, of whom 2,761 families or about 10,000 persons lived on the main land. The total number of families receiving weekly rations is stated at 7,173. The weekly allowance for this period of thirty-six weeks is given at 7,147 bushels of grits and 286 cwts. of pork, making a total for the regular life ration of 257,292 bushels of grits , and of 104 grits, and of 10,366 cwts. of meat. To this must be added 34,000 rations issued to needy persons on the mainland, that is, 340 cwts. of meat and 13,625 bushels of grits. It is also stated 6,500 rations were issued for labor done. As each such ration was double in amount that of the life ration, the total was on that basis 130 cwts. of meat, and of grits 186 1/2 bushels. Altogether then the total issued appears to have been, of grist 271,103 1/2 bushels, and of meat 10,838 cwts. There was also a quantity of flour and of groceries, moderate in amount, the totals of which I have mislaid. These could not have added greatly to the aggregate given . Medical supplies were not stated. Besides the food supplies, I have records of 500,000 feet of lumber, 350,000 feet of which was issued direct to the farmers for rebuilding purposes. The balance was used in various useful ways. Of garments of various kinds, 20,000 were issued. Of seeds five tons were distributed: [?] packages of garden vegetables being included. Of peas and beans 500 bushels, of Irish potatoes and of corn 1,000 bushels, were distributed for seed purposes. The latter gift was made by the president of the Red Cross Society. In addition to the lumber, 500 kegs of nails, 696 hatchets, 600 hand-saws, and a large number of hoes, spades and shovels were distributed for neighborhood uses. Besides the rebuilding of dwellings etc., the people repaired over 100 miles of roads, constructed 245 miles of drainage ditches, some being quite large, and thus recovering for agricultural service about 10,000 acres of overflowed land . A large number of row boats were built, re-opening the fishing field for food uses. To the usual area put down to cotton, upland rice and cow-peas, the returns show an addition of about 15,000 acres to the food producing area, 5,000 of which were planted with Irish potatoes. In my journeying and conversations with local committees, I have been particular to make inquiries on this point, and am fully concinced that the figures given are correct and within the facts. Do they not vindicate the simple, if appropriately stern, policy of the Red Cross in bending all the beneficent forces at its disposal to the task of rehabilitating the industrial life and energies of this afflicted people? The question answers itself as the near future must give its favorable endorsement also. It would fill a small volume to even barely mention the evidences of gratitude and reverence, too, that follow the Red Cross work and at attend in blessings upon her who has directed it from the simple people whose wants have been so well served. The quaintness of dialect attnd attaches a picturesqueness to the abundant notes I have taken. But perhaps, as a summing up of results I may quote most aptly a few words from one who understands, and whose wide and varied expriences fits him admirably to present a verdict, shrewd and rude though in form it may be. The man who from a chattel slave has become a naval officer, a congressman, a general of militia, and a collector of customs, winning and maintaining in all places of respectful consideration from even his bitterest opponents, and command recognition at large. Robert Small, then, just before the Red Cross retired, summed up the condition in this graphic figure: " If the Red Cross had not come, the buzzard would have been the fattest animal on these islands." As I write these closing lines there comes to me a copy of the Charleston NEWS AND COURIER, of the date of June 30th. I gladly insert here and to close this report of observation and review, made in afield of beneficent work, so admirably performed that even the warm hued and appreciative words that follow grow pale to me as I recall and review [what is your mould] to learn for myself, and so thoroughly understand. Here are the editorial words of generous acknowledgment: of the Red Cross chief and staff, and their work, it is said: They performed it so well that, though they fed and clothed scores of thousands for months together, they have been subjected to complaint because they did not do more, while the State did nothing. That performed it so well that fears that the survivors would perish of famine and disease or overrun the neighboring districts as a swarm of tramping beggars speedily gave peace to "charges" that the same survivors were too independent to work. They performed it so well, not to extend their deserved praise further, that they have left the storm-swept islands and their inhabitants in better condition in all respects than before the flood. And now, having completed their labors, without pay or expectation of pay and at their own charges, and all so quietly that few knew of their coming in and going out at any time, without a word of rebuke or reply to those who have found fault with them, without receiving so much as a formal expression of thanks from any public authority or authorities, for what they have done, and for what they have not done, the little party yesterday took final leave of the scenes of their long and arduous service and departed to their homes , there to await the next call that shall come to them from suffering and sorrowing humanity, in whatever field of pain or distress. There are many good people in South Carolina, however, who know what they have done, and who appreciate both the motives which have inspired their work and the manner of its performance. We speak for them all, we are sure, when we say that they will forever hereafter regard these "cross bearers" among the truest and noblest of the followers of Him who has given to their sign its blessed and eternal significance as the emblem of divine mercy and of a charity which is as wide as the world itself. [SsSSSSSS] [*Swain*] [9 Egan] 10. staff, accompanied by private Hassett who had been detailed from the 34th.Michigan,all seated on top of the wagons, which carried food enough for the patients in the Hospitals for several days. They too had to come ver mirey roads that lead from the coast; of the wheels no spokes could be seen, nothing but one circular, solid mass of mud, like x great massive car-wheels. There was many a moist eye and many shouts of welcome and surprise as the train came into camp. "There's a woman!" "It's the Red Cross!" "My God, boys, it's Clara Barton!" "Now we'll get something to eat!" And they did. Miss Barton,Mrs.Gardner and others prepared condensed milk, malted milk and other delicacies, and within an hour every man was served with hot gruel, milk and fresh soda biscuits. Later in the evening well boiled and seasoned rice, fruit, canned meats and other things, including beef tea, were passes around. As the patients from the hospitals became convalescent, they were sent to the transports bound for home. On July 5th., Dr.Gardner and I, after [having] secur[ed]ing an ambulance and loading it with canned meats, crackers, pilot bread, milk, Rice and other foods and delicacies, walked beside the loaded wagon, drawn by army mules, until we reached El Caney. We arrived just as the refugees were coming in from Santiago, from which city they had fled, fearing the bombardment that was threatened by the American forces around the place and the ships of the north Atlantic squadron, lying off the mouth of the harbor. At El Caney there was not even water to drink, food was very scarce. Hundreds of hungry refug[*ee*]s were coming in. There were poor women with children in their arms, and there were men with hands full of gold which the offered for the food they could not purchase. [*2/3*]10 Egan 11. A distributing committee was formed at once, including Mr. Wm. Ramsden son of the English consul at Santiago, the French consul, two Cuban officers, and other gentlemen whose names do not now recall, and the relief of the refugees began. Following close behind this first ambulance of supplies for the refugees at El Caney, came a well loaded army wagon in charge of Mr. C.C. Bangs of the Red Cross staff, who worked here as here as he always had, with great vigor. He finished his work at El Caney, superintending the relief of the refugees until they could return to their homes and then joined the Red Cross party at the First Division Hospital. Mr. Bans was always a hard and enthusiastic worker, but he could not withstand the climates and the constant fatigue. He was at last taken ill and never rallied. He died and was buried on the field, faithful to the cause to which he had pledged his service. On the evening of the 12th of July Major Wood announced his intention of breaking camp and moving nearer to Santiago. Miss Barton and staff then returned to Siboney, reaching that place after dark the following day. The Signal Corps were unable to communicate with the ships in the harbor, and so there was no way in which we could join the "State of Texas" that night. Miss Barton slept in a room rendered her by Postmaster Brewer, [Mr. Brewer] who subsequently died at the Red Cross hospital of what [was donominated] the Doctors, said was yellow fever. Dr. Hubbell and I lay on the floor outside, and enjoyed the sleep we could get, when we were not troubled by a species of shell fish called "land crabs", which are perfectly harmless, but have a body about four inches wide, six inches long and three inches thick, with legs ten inches long, and, standing erect on their legs they go up and down stairs at leisure. They always take the shortest road, never go around anything but hobble over every obstruction, [and make the corresponding "racket]." 11 Egan 12. [] Mr. Kennan [in company] at night angles with Sir Alfred Paget, rolled [themselves] himself up on the floor of the veranda. We were all up at break of day. A call from Captain Mc.Calla for 50,000 rations for Guantanamo met with an intermediate response. The "State of Texas" was dispatched, but on arriving there the surgeon in charge of the [camp] club asked if any of the relief party had been on shore, and on being answered in the affirmative, he refused to allow the goods to be landed, being afraid, as he said of infection. The vessel returned to Siberia, and there continued to land and store what was needed at that place, preparatory to leaving for Santiago. On July 17th, the "State of Texas" while lying off Morrow Castle, Santiago, at the entrance to the harbor, was boarded by Admiral Sampson, Commodore Schley and Captain Cook, who came to pay their compliments to our commander. Never was there an action more gallant and graceful than the voluntary offer of these commanders, [at the suggestion of Admiral Sampson,] allow Miss Barton and her staff, with the "State of Texas" to enter the harbor of Santiago first, as the Red Cross and the relief ship represented the principle for which the war was waged, Humanity. Those on board will never forget the experience of that afternoon as the good ship steered in, past the "Merrimac" past the sunken ships of the once proud navy, of Spain, on to relieve the hungry and despairing people who crowded to the wharves to look at the ship with the insignia of good will flying from her masthead. As the vessel steamed slowly in from her [after] forward deck floated the strains of the "Dolology" and "My country 'tis of the Thee. Sweet land of liberty." The cargo of the "State of Texas" was quickly unloaded and stored in spacious warehouses, under the supervision of Mr. Warner, and good ship, under command of her captain F.A. Young, who had grown to be a12 Egan 13. [*Walker*] Red Cross man at heart, accompanied by Mrs. J. Addison Porter and Sister Blanche Mc. Corristen, steamed away northward to New York. For the warehouses the Red Cross is indebted to Dr. Douglass, who also placed at our disposition his [residence and] corps of clerks to assist in the work. A distributing committee was at once formed by Miss Barton and staff, consisting of Mr. Mason, Mr. Michelson, Mr. Wm. Ramsden Jr., who was also on the committee at El Caney. Mr. Ramsden, as chairman of the committee gave his entire time to the work, and his courtesy and [executive] ability did much to prevent confusion and misunderstandings and thus kept the way smooth for effective work. Through the co-operation of this committee nearly 40,000 people were fed and made comfortable in 4 days. The army were unable to get their provisions, owing to the inability of the commissary department to fill the orders. Two men were kept constantly employed in the warehouse of the red Cross issuing foods, medicines and delicacies to fill requisitions from the officers of the army. To the soldiers themselves a large quantity of food of all description was given, sometimes singly, but where it was practical they were given as much as they had transportation for, to provide for the sick in their locality. [Near the place] a dispensary was opened in Santiago by the Red Cross, where some 400 patients were prescribed for daily. This dispensary was in charge of Dr. J. B. Sollosso, the assistant surgeon of the Red Cross on the Cuban field, assisted by five others. Their work brought comfort to many a sick soldier and was a great credit to all connected with it. At the Red Cross headquarters, an out-patient department was established 13 Egan 14. [*Beitman*] and placed in charge of Dr. Gill. This department developed so rapidly that local doctors were brought into the work, and [by this marked] all applicants reported to headquarters, requiring medicine or medical aid, were at once referred to one of the visiting staff. Medicines and instruments for all were furnished by the surgeon placed in charge of the supply department. In this department were treated many American soldiers who had been stationed away from their regiments and who consequently could not get to their regimental surgeons. When the Red Cross staff left on the transport "Clinton" bound for Havana, the remainder of the supplies were left in charge of Mr. Warner. On August 27th, we arrived in the harbor of Havana. The following day the Civil Governor and his staff came on board the "Clinton" to pay their respects to Miss Barton, and expressed their gratitude for the work of the Red Cross among the Reconcentrados. The weather was very warm, and with forty mules between decks, the situation was not all that could be desired for a protracted stay in a harbor like Havana. An effort was made to land the cargo of supplies, but we were met with a refusal to allow the goods to enter without payment of duties, and, because of some technical oversight in clearing the vessel from Santiago, a fine of $500 was imposed. The fine was promptly paid and with no hope of being able to land soon, the "Clinton" was ordered by Miss Barton to weigh anchor and proceed to Egmont Key, where we would go into quarantine before proceeding north. The stay of five days in quarantine at the Key would not have been unpleasant, except for the gnats, mosquitoes, sand fleas, snakes, and the daily storms, which made it necessary to call all hands at all hours to hold down the tents.14 Egan 15. [*Filbert*] The general cargo of the "Clinton" was unloaded at Egmont Key, and as the charter of the vessel expired in a few days, she was hurried away to New Orleans, carrying the 40 Red Cross males in charge of Mr. C.H.H. Cottrell, financial secretary. Accompanied by Dr. Hubbell: then proceeded to Tampa to arrange for the shipment of the general cargo of the "Clinton" so that port, where much of it could be used for the Cuban refugees at that place who are being cared for by the Red Cross. The supplies were delivered to Dr. S.S. Partello, field agent at that point, whose efficient service among the Cubans, and in the auxiliary relief work in the army hospitals, has elicited many words of satisfaction and praise. 3/4 A few days later Miss Barton and staff, accompanied by General Von Schell of the Belgium Red Cross, left Tampa for Washington. Not long after our arrival, word came that the steamer "City of San Antonio" was l loading in New York with relief supplies, and i was assigned by Miss Barton to go to Cuba with this ship in charge of the medical and hospital supplies and the establishment of hospitals and asylums in the Western Provinces. On the arrival of the ship at Matanzas, [upon the solicitation of Mr. Elwell, who was in charge of the general distribution, the] large warehouse owned by Brinkerhoff & Co. was placed at the disposition of the Red cross. With the large lighters, of which there are many at this port, the vessel was quickly discharged and released. The Governor of Matanzas, Sr. Eduardo Diaz, a man preeminently fitted for the position of responsibility which he held under the Spanish government, contributed much of his time and means in furthering the work of relief. Day and night he went about investigating the condition of the people, placed at our disposal every facility and furnished special 15 Egan 16 trains when needed. He was not only an able and just administrator of public affairs, but a humanitarian as well. Taking him all in all he was a man among the men of his country. In Matanzas women and children walked the streets day and night begging. I suggested to the Governor that it would be well to have all these poor people collected in institutions where they could be clothed, fed and cared for until they were able to care for themselves. In twenty-four hours after the Governor's order was issued these people were all housed and being fed from the stores of the "San Antonio." At Matanzas we found a dispensary conducted by the Firemen's Association. It was a model institution, and here 300 to 400 little children were fed every day but their scant, store of provision were running out, and so we left with them general food and delicacies and medicine sufficient for three months. All places in the Western provinces [which we were able to reach,] were handled after the manner of Matanzas. Twenty two institutions including hospitals and asylums were opened and the sick, the women and the children, for the first time in many months were sheltered and made comfortable. The regeneration of the Hospital at Jovellanos will serve as an example of the work that had to be done in many of the interior towns. The building itself manifested signs of former prosperity and cleanliness. It was a stately edifice, after the Doric style. The pillars were crumbling and broken, the patio was a pool of mud, the yard in the reach was a laboratory of infectious germs and all in a filthy condition. A chinaman lay in what was called the "Dead House." He had died of starvation, so they said. The three coffins which had been repeatedly used to carry the dead to the grave, stood up against the wall. It was a perfect picture of poverty and filth.16 Egan 17. The chinaman lay on a slightly inclined board, with no clothing, covered only by an old blanket. Removing the blanket from his body revealed the fact that the was not dead, but still breathing. He was at once bathed, removed to a clean bed and given light nutriment at intervals, and the next day was sitting up smiling his appreciation, for he could not speak English at all, and but little Spanish. The following day the coffins that had done service for seven years, formed the basis of a large bonfire, to which was added all the decayed wood flooring, garbage, old clothing and bedding -- the accumulation of years. A [little] band of workers, about sixty in number, carpenters, masons, painters,cabinet-makers and representatives of other trades, were put to work renovating and rebuilding. With only rations for pay, theses men deemed it a privilege to be permitted to assist. These men were in a few days relayed by others, so that both the work and the food might be divided. Great quantities of lime and paint were used, the building was raised in some places, and in others completely rebuilt, and ventilators put in. A marsh which had existed near the hospital and extending in to the yard, was drained and the dense vegetation removed. The land around the building is not dry and clear, and is used for laundry purposes and for sunning the bedding and drying the clothing. After the building was repaired, painted, whitewashed and disinfected, even below the foundation, new cots were placed in the "salons" and the wards arranged. The patients were brought in until the hospital was filled, the women and children being first cared for. Thus the sheets were cleared of all mendicants. The institution was then provided by the Red Cross with medicines and general provisions for three months, and a good supply of clothing and bedding furnished. Dr. Mena, the 17 Egan 18. [*Slayhter*] city physician was appointed to take charge with a corps of select assistants, and the hospital was left under the supervision of the Alcalds, or mayor, and he passed on to other places where assistance was badly needed. After opening all the institutions which our stock of supplies from the "City of San Antonio" permitted, we returned to Havana. Shortly afterwards, in company with Mr. D.L. Cobb of the Red Cross, a final tour of inspection was made, and all the institutions left in good running order. Through the efforts of Mr. Cobb, assisted by Dr. Sollosso and others, permission was obtained from the Spanish authorities in Havana to open a hospital at Marianac, a suburb some 7 miles from the capital. A Central Committee was formed in Havana, and the women of the city interested in the work. A large amount of money and supplies were contributed, and the hospital at Mariano is now one of the most complete and practical in all the western provinces. In addition to the usual wards, there are administration offices, a fine dispensary fully stocked,a modern kitchen, bath rooms, Operating Room, a steam laundry plant and store rooms. The sanitary arrangements are as perfect as could be attained under the circumstances, and everything is neat, clean and orderly. The institution was established especially for the sick, wounded, and infected men who had served in the insurgent army, many of whom had been without proper medical attention for months, with their old wounds still open and in bad condition. Over 500 have been treated at this hospital, out of which number but 26 have died, a remarkably good showing considering the terrible condition in which the patients were brought from the interior.18 Egan 19. All the members of the American Evacuation Commission [xinx] [xHavanax] were always courteous and kind; they were helpful in their advice and otherwise assisted the work in many years. To Mr.C. M. Jarvis, vice-President of the North American Company, the fiscal agents of the United States Government in Havana, the Red Cross is indebted for valuable suggestions and material aid. The tour of inspection being completed,I returned to Havana with Mr.Cobb,and, in response to instructions by cable from headquarters we left for Washington on the "Mascotte" sailing November 30th. # 4/5 1600 words NOT WANTED An Old Copy of Goodyear's? Probably JBH -1- The Fifth International Conference of the Red Cross. As our renders doubtless know, the American National Red Cross is but one of thirty or more similar organizations, there being a central committee or association to direct the Red Cross work in each country that has signed the treaty of Geneva. Each of these national organizations has power to plan and direct the relief work within its own country, while the intercommunication between the different Red cross associations is usually through the International Committee of Geneva. The conclusions of the international committee are mainly advisory, assuming the form of propositions or questions, which the various national committees discuss in the international conferences that convene from time to time. At these international conference, delegates convene who represent each national association, and here they discuss methods of organization and of securing and administering relief, and such other subjects as would come in their province. Five such conferences have convened since the first organization of the Red Cross, the initial conference being held at Paris in 1867, at which time only seventeen national associations had been organized. The second conference was held at Berlin early in 1869, at which time the number of national organizations had increased to twenty-three. ¶ The third conference was held at Geneva in 1884, at which time the number of national organizations had increased to thirty-four. The American Red Cross having been organized and duly recognized by the Government of the United States in 1882, was represented at the third international conference by The fourth international conference was held at Carlsruhe, Germany, in 1887, at which time the number of national societies had increased to thirty-seven. Five delegates represented the American Association at that conference.Egan -2- The fifth and last international conference was held at Rome in April 1892, and but one national society, that of Luxembourg, had been added since the conference at Carlsruhe. Three delegates, Clara Barton Pres. Am. Red Cross, Dr. J. B. Hubbell, of Washington, D. C. to Represent the Government, Hon. A. O. Bourne, U. S. Consul at Rome, and Dr. Thomas, W. Evans, of Paris, were appointed to represent the American Red Cross at the last conference, The last two named delegates were unable to be present, [the former being detained by the official business at the consulate, and the latter by sickness in his family], leaving Dr. Hubbell the only representative of the American Association. Delegates were present from the national Red Cross Associations of Switzerland, Italy, Austria, England, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Japan, Roumania, Baden,France, Holland, Saxony, Russia, Wurtemburg, Hungary, Bavaria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Mecklenberg, Montenegro, Salvador, Servia, Turkey, Sweden and Norway, and the United States of America. The conference met in the legislative hall of the Italian capitol, assembling April 21st and closing April 27th. The following were the more important questions that came before the conference. 1st,-- The development of the maritime work of the Red Cross. The discussion brought out the fact that great progress had been made during the last five years in maritime relief in time of war. Hospital ships and life boat service were being tested by several of the maritime nations, and further study of this important subject was earnestly commended to the various national associations of the Red Cross. 2nd, --- The question of the best means of transporting the wounded from the field of battle to places of relief. This has become one of the vital questions, because of the great improvements in arms and munitions of war which will render future battle-fields more destructive, and require the-3- places of safety for the wounded to be at greater distances from the battle-field. This question had also an added interest from the fact that the king and queen of Italy had offered 10,000 francs to be distributed in prizes to the persons who should offer the best methods of transporting wounded men from the battle-field to safe places of relief. These methods to be illustrated by drawings and models, and the same to be submitted to the committee at the Italian exposition in 1893. 3rd-- The question of Governmental protection of the name and insignia of the Red Cross [were] was discussed at considerable length, the gist of the discussion being that the appropriat[ing]ion of the name and insignia of the Red Cross by private persons and societies not officially related to the governments, was doing great harm to this humane organization, and in fact threatening its usefulness. Several governments were reported as having adopted laws prohibiting such use of the Red Cross name and emblems, and [that] legislation to this same end was pending in several other governments. 4th, -- The necessity for the immediate succor of wounded men during and after a battle, without waiting for a removal to a great distance, because in many cases, this early and perhaps temporary treatment, or its lack, would decide the fate of the wounded men. 5th, -- The advantage of having the Red Cross fully organized and taking part in all evolutions or maneuvers of armies in times of peace, in order that the place of the Red Cross and its relations to the army might be made clear and well defined. 6th, -- The advantage of keeping the Red Cross fully occupied in times of peace, either in general relief work in cases of great calamity, or in [training assistants for hospital service] -4- training assistants for hospital service and and for the proper care of the wounded on the battle field. 7th, -- The advantage of taking measures to make the work of the Red Cross fully understood by all classes of people, which can be done very effectually by active work during times of peace. 8th, -- The advantage of using the electric light on the battle field at night, in carrying away the wounded, and the necessity for developing better [applicances] appliances for its practical use in such localities. Several of the questions that were discussed with greatest interest had been discussed at previous international conference, and to the casual reader it might seem that the Red Cross as an international institution was not making progress; but when we consider the fact that over thirty nations are engaged in Red Cross work, that the conditions of these nations are as varied as their localities, we will be prepared to appreciate the fact that any progressive idea must take many years to be fully tested, adjusted to different national conditions, and adopted by all. These international conferences are educative rather than legislative, and the very fact that representatives from all of the prominent governments of the world, which are rivals in commerce and in territorial acquisition, can meet together and in friendly debate discuss questions of common relief in case of war between their governments, points to the day near at hand when wars between civilized nations will be only a matter of history. The delegates to the conference were royally entertained at a dinner given by their majesties the king and queen of Italy, and no effort was spared on the part of the Italian government and people to minister to the comfort and pleasure of this representative body of men, who had gathered from all nations to discuss methods of relief for humanity stricken in war or in calamity.-5- The offer of the king and queen of Italy to furnish money and medals for a competition in improved methods of transporting the wounded from battlefields, was submitted to a special committee, who made a report, summarized below, which was adopted by the conference. The royal letter addressed to our president notes that the competition is for the means of immediate removal of the wounded from the field of battle, and taking them to the nearest place of succor, and finally to the nearest temporary hospital. Every lover of our work will feel grateful to these august sovereigns, for their anxiety to improve the means of transporting the wounded in the most expeditious and easy manner. The progress made during recent years in the construction of weapons of war, renders the future wars more deadly. The approximity has become so much more dangerous, that places where the wounded may be safely attended, beyond the line of fire, is of primary importance. Litter bearers should be provided with lighter litters which would permit them to bear away their charge to a greater distance without fatiguing the sufferer, and also enable them to transport a greater number of wounded, The present ambulances are only capable of transporting a small number, the carriages are not light enough, and yet it does not seem possible to increase their number, because they would become too long a convoy to follow the army, and would impede it in its marches and movements. Although these problems have been for a long time before the thoughtful mind, yet we dare to hope that the conditions of the competition now offered will excite the zeal of charitable inventors to the desired progress. -6- The committee recommended that the competition be placed in the hands of the Central Red Cross Committee of Italy, who could select an international jury, and that an exhibit of the appliances and materials for competition be given at Rome at the time of the Eleventh Medical Congress, which is called for September, 1893. The jury can thus have additional light to guide them in their decision, by the advice on all technical points from the distinguished physicians who will be present at this conference. Competitors for the prize should produce a model of the object proposed, with a printed description of all details connected with its working. This model should be reduced to one-fourth the size of the article itself. The descriptive pamphlet should be complete in detail, and should be accompanied by a scale of measurement, demonstrating the method of employing the article in a manner so as to allow its qualities to be appreciated. Designs not accompanied by modes, will not be accepted. The memorandum and models should be sent to the Central Committee of the Italian Red Cross at Rome, before June 13th, 1893, who will place all memoranda and models on exhibition at Rome from August 15th, to September 15th, 1893, at which closing date a decision will be rendered by the international jury.FEW DAYS AT SIBONEY BEGINNING JULY 6TH, 1893. By a Red Cross Man. I was [constantly] much of the time at Siboney [and] on the beach unloading & sending out supply supplies and [as] had an opportunity to [see] observe much of what occurred there. [I had been there for several days before my story begins.] The wounded began to come in from the front on the evening of July 1st, and hand reds arrived during the next five days. The medical stores and supplies of the Army were wholly inadequate and were not at hand. The Red Cross steamer "State of Taxes" had arrived; and [we] we [of her company had been continuously, almost] day and night, when possible, landing through the surf [the] her supplies, [viz:] of jerked beef, beans, rice, hardtack, meal, condensed and melted milk and medical stores. [This cargo had been originally intended for the recondentrados, but the deficiency of the Army supplies and medical stores being so great, and the consequent suffering so terrible, that our supplies were landed to be in readiness for the army.] [For] during the first day [twelve hours] the most of the [boys coming in] men that came were wounded in the right arm, because [the right arm was raised] it was more exposed while [prostrate] lying on the ground, The second day many arrived with wounds on the head, body and arms; afterward most of the wounded were of so grave a character that it was impossible for the [xxxxxxxx] victims to walk, and they rode in ambulances and army wagons. On the 2nd a captain had walked in from the front, and had managed 2. by the aid of a comrade to struggle on to within 500 yards of the wharf. He desired to go on board [at] some hospital ship then lying off this landing, but fainted away and dropped down in the sand. I happened to be passing by; hunted up a stretcher, and assisted with three of my men, we carried him to a tent. After bathing his head and having his wounds dressed, he came to, and said he lost his company for more than two hours, but rushed on toward the front and finally came up with a part of them, [and together they went forward]. At [the very] that moment [when he came up with his men], he received three shots almost simultaneously--one grazed his head, another went through his arm, and the third made an ugly flesh wound in his leg. He fell [and lay] unconcious for a while, but came to [and conclude] though he could walk back to Siboney. He was a brave man, and laughed at his misfortune. During all this time of hardships and deprivation hardly a murmur was heard from the boys. They went short of everything, but they seemed to take it as a matter of course. A Rough Rider chaplain whose name I never knew showed much manly bravery:-- Sometime past midnight I was touched on the arm by a young man. He saw the Red Cross on my arm and thought I was a surgeon. "Doctor", said he "for God's sake can't you do something for our chaplain; I think he is dying." I went with him and found a splendid looking young fellow having on the insignia of a Rough Rider chaplain of the3. Rough Riders; his head lying in the sand. A shell had grazed his head which was rudely bandaged. He was also wounded in the arm, and in the side. He had walked in from the front, and wanted to go on board a hospital ship. I called a couple of my men, and Mr. Warner, my associate in the work of the Red Cross, and we prepared to carry him to the boat. Being aroused, he came to, and said "Thank you boys. Where am I? I am all right." then immediately went out of his head again. When on his feet, his legs seemed all right, and we helped him down to the boat. There was a heavy swell coming in, and it was very difficult to get into the boat. So I got in and prepared to catch him when the boat was on the crest of the swell. He tried to step in, but forgetting how weak he was, he virtually fell into my arms in a faint. When he came to again he was delirious, and I had all I could do to hold him. Four or five others were taken this trip, but none were so bad as our chaplain. It took all my strength to hold him, and he kept saying, "Don't bother with me. I'm all right. Let me help them." We arrived at the hospital ship and got our load of wounded on board. I never knew our chaplain's name, and he will probably never know who helped him; but he will know that Red Cross men were there, and that they helped him. On the 6th of July at Siboney and Firmeza there were six or seven thousand refugees, and at el Caney and other small villages near Santiago there were twenty-five or thirty thousand poor wretches on the verge of starvation, calling on the Red Cross for relief. 4. Up to this time every available, mule, horse or man that could be had at any price had been pressed into service. General Castillo [had been] furnished a small Cuban pack train and the Government a few army wagons; but the roads were so bad, that a six mule team could haul but a small load. By doggedly sticking to it for several hours in the pouring rain, I succeeded in getting an engine and three cars for Firmeza. I searched for the captain in charge, who had kindly assisted me the day before in procuring two cars for the same purpose. He had moved his headquarters. I finally came across him and was informed that another captain had been put in charge of transportation. He was finally found, and promptly and cheerfully granted my request. He sent his surgeon with me to deliver the order. The engine was standing on the track with steam up ready to start. When the order, was given, the engineer warmly remarked, "Not by a ___ sight. I am taking orders from Colonel - - - - of the Engineer's Department. I haver been told that Capt. - - - - has anything to do with this train." The Sergeant and I earnestly told him that the officers had been changed early that morning. The engineer turned to his firman and said. "Well Jack, I don't know what in - - - - to do. I supposed I was to obey the orders of Colonel - - - - , but it seems a captain that I never heard of is in charge now." Then turning to me, he said, "Mr. Elwell," if the Red Cross will stand by me, I will take the risk. I was at Firmeza yesterday, and I just know them poor devils arestarving plumb to death." To make a pretty sure proposition surer, I stepped aboard the engine, and had the cars back down to the beach. The pouring rain was too much for my fifty Cuban soldiers, and they had crept away under the tarpaulins. After rustling around for fifteen minutes, I got them together. The cars were immediately loaded, and hauled to the mountain village of Firmeza, I going with them. The supplies were arranged ready for distribution that night, and the next day rations to five thousand people were issued, some of whom were from the best families of Santiago. One gentleman, a cashier in a Santiago bank, who, with his large family, had just arrived, said they had not had a morsel of food that day, and not an ounce could be found in the village, the two car loads previously sent having been exhausted. After the stuff was distributed, I walked to Siboney, about four miles by train. To prepare for the work of the morning on the evening before our faithful "mambezes," headed by Joe Longley, a stalwart, faithful, Nassau negro, skulled our borrowed pontoon alongside the "State of Texas;" dropped her astern, and made her fast with a strong line, that we might be ready to being work at dawn. At four A.M. we were "up and at it." Mr. Tarner in the pontoon, Dr. Hubbell and myself in the hold, by the light of lanterns digging out stores. The "State of Texas" was loaded so as to be discharged at a wharf, and consequently some of the stores we needed were not easy to find. The second hold of a steamer in a tropical climate is never as cool as an ice chest, and that of the "State of Texas" was no exception. Mr. Tarner was that day "Captain of Pontoons." He had been a sea captain, and knew exactly how to handle the pontoon. On the beach, with my darkey gang, with the energy of desperation, incited them by all that was holy to get that stuff ashore without getting it. Fifty naked Cubans soon discharged the pontoon, although 250 pound sacks of rice appear heavy under such circumstances. By 10 A.M. we were compelled to knock off an account of the heavy sea. The Government lost two handsome yowl boats that morning not twenty yards from us. Miss Barton then asked me to go to Coney and arrange for the distribution. At 10:30 A.M. I started to Coney from Siboney, by the trail I took, is sixteen or seventeen miles. It passes Cuesimss, where Captain Capron was killed. It winds through the canon through which the U.S. Artillery was dragged, and through which most of our army passed on its way to the front. It passed over the Rough Riders battle ground of Sevilla Heights, beyond which Colonels Wood and Roosevelt had their camp, and passed General Chafter's headquarters and the hospital, nearly to the trenches on San Juan Hill. It then turns to the right up a canon, crossing and recrossing a little stream. The mud were rendered bottomless by the traffic concentrated there. It reached Coney at last. Throughout the whole distance from Siboney to Coney I met hundreds of refugees, mostly women and children and infirm, old men. Some of them know me, as I had lived in Santiago for many years. In Caney I met Mr. Frederick Ramaden, the English Consul at7. Santiago, his wife and son. William. Mr. Bangs, a Red Cross worker, had been there for some days, and was nearly exhausted by constant work. Poor man, his zeal cost him his life; he died shortly afterwards. A committee with Wm. Ramsden at its head had been formed. Mr. Ramsden worked like a Trojan, and as the Cubans say, God will reward him. Late in the afternoon I mounted my little pony for my return. About dusk I arrived at the Red Cross hospital near General Shafter's headquarters, of which Dr. Gardner was in charge. Stopping for a few moments for a little refreshment for myself and my pony, I found it dark when I was again on my way. It was pitch dark as I reached the wooded trail. On each side of the road the soldiers or refugees had lighted their fires, that gleamed far back into the forest. I passed the father of young Hamilton Fish, with an escort, who was arranging to send home the remains of his son. I arrived at Siboney at 9:30 P.M. and found a raging surf, but no boat to take me out to the "State of Texas". Our boatman had given me up: thought I could not possibly get back that night. While waiting on the wharf, hoping some friend would give me a live over to the "Texas", the launch of the hospital ship "Relief" came up. Her captain in a loud voice said: "This launch will take no one!" There were several persons standing there. I suppose by the tone of his voice that some one had had the audacity to ask him for a lift out to his ship. 8. I begged into a corner in a tent on the beach; was furnished a comfortable hammock and a cup of coffee. At 11:30 I turned in with my wet clothes on, simply removing my leggings, and slept like a dead man till 4:30 A.M., When my friend awoke me and told me our pontoon was again at the beach. Mr. Warner had risen early to take advantage of a fairly quiet see. The needs of the hospitals were so great and were constantly urged upon us, that I increased my gang from fifty to seventy- five men. Without resting a moment we worked constantly all that day and until nearly daylight the next morning. It certainly gave us thorough work, but the main thing was that the Red Cross and its stores were where our leader had requested they should be, and they were there on time, and we were content. Such were some of the days of the Red Cross men in the Cuban war.