Anticipating the adoption of the treaty by the United States, in July 1881 the American Association of the Red Cross was organized, seventy-five persons present with Clara Barton the President. The United States Senate having acceded to the Treaty of Geneva, its ratification was proclaimed by President Arthur July 26, 1882. This association was incorporated April 17, 1883, under the name American National Red Cross; reincorporated by Act of Congress, the charter signed by President McKinley June 6, 1900. That charter was repealed and a new charter substituted, the same being adopted by an Act of Congress and approved by President Roosevelt January 5, 1905. Under the new charter the name continued to be The American National Red Cross. Section 4 of this Act was amended by an Act of Congress, and approved by President Taft June 23, 1910. This amendment relates to the collection of moneys by authorized agents, the use of the Red Cross emblem or any other insignia colored, and similar matters. A second amendment was adopted by Congress and approved by the President December 12, 1912, and relates to the time of the annual meeting. The American National Association of Red Cross (organized in July 1881) was independent of the Treaty of Geneva; it was a private association, but Miss Barton was constantly urging this Government’s adhesion to the Red Cross Treaty of Nations. In compliment to Clara Barton, she was invited to address a meeting at Dansville, New York. As a result there was formed on August 2, 1881, the first local Society of the Red Cross in the United States of America. In September 1881, the Michigan forest fires occurred. This became the first test of the merits of the Red Cross work in America. Miss Barton was at this time also invited to make an address on this subject to the citizens of Syracuse, New York. A proposition to organize an auxiliary in that city was made at the close of the meeting. The amount there raised for the relief of the Michigan sufferers was $3,807.28, the new Red Cross Auxiliary Society numbering 250 members. This, in brief, is the history of the inception of the Red Cross and the two auxiliaries in America. [Illustration: ELUTHEROS K. VENIZELOS Although I never met Miss Barton, her achievement in establishing the American Red Cross is such as to win for her the lasting gratitude of many millions of people all over the world. Greece, in particular, will never forget the noble work accomplished here by the American Red Cross. Its aid has been invaluable during the world war and I am therefore glad to be given this opportunity to pay this small tribute to the founder and first President of this splendid organization. ELUTHEROS K. VENIZELOS, The Ex-Premier of Greece. ] Of the Michigan forest fires Clara Barton said: “So sweeping has been the destruction that there is not food enough left in its wake for a rabbit to eat, and indeed there is no rabbit, if there were food.”