In a War Department order issued on February 10, 1909, the importance of regulating the issue of brassards to those entitled to neutrality by virtue of the first paragraph of article 9, and articles 10 and 11 of the Geneva Convention, was recognized. At the same time, and by the same order, the Medical Department was authorized to provide and deliver the “necessary certificates of identity to those persons attached to the sanitary service who do not have a military uniform.” It is generally understood that this order shall not be applicable in time of peace; yet it would seem that, to make it effective and to anticipate the confusion incident to a declaration of war, some plan or system should be developed in the American Red Cross (which is the sanitary service recognized by the War Department) whereby the individual members could be definitely classified, and, when the occasion demanded, the necessary brassards and cards of identity could be expeditiously given them. That this question should engage the attention of the American Red Cross is apparent to those of us who were in San Francisco during the weeks immediately following the disaster of April 18, 1906. On almost every other man was seen the Red Cross emblem in some form, it being generally known that those engaged in duties pertaining to this organization were permitted to pass and re-pass the sentries on duty in different parts of the city; for while we were not technically “under martial law,” yet the streets were everywhere patrolled by armed men, some of whom were directly under military control and others only partially so. It was in passing one of these patrols that a personal friend of mine was shot and killed for refusing, when challenged, to stop his automobile, on which was flying a Red Cross flag. It is needless to say that not one-quarter of those using the emblem were legally entitled to do so, and much harm was done the organization by those who wore the brassard for personal gain and benefit. Only by the study of past experience can we judge what the future will produce; and if we expect the general public ever to recognize and respect the brassard we should begin at once a campaign of instruction which will explain its legitimate use and the reasons for regulating its issue. It would be of incalculable benefit in time of war, or when martial law was declared, to have brassards and cards of identification already issued and recorded, for they could readily be re-stamped or copied by the Medical Department, as provided for in the order quoted, with the result that much time would be saved and much confusion avoided. REPRESSION OF THE ABUSE OF THE RED CROSS INSIGNIA