The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 4, October 1909)American National Red Cross
History
The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 4, October 1909)
American National Red Cross
American National Red Cross -- Periodicals; Red Cross and Red Crescent -- Periodicals
Organized by Dr. G. H. Richardson and the writer, the welfare of this
successful detachment has been splendidly nourished by Dr. Mark Neumann,
the Medical Director. From occupying the “parlors” of the Chinese Native
Sons of the Golden State, its members became ambitious to have quarters
of their own. Dr. Neumann donated his waiting room. On one wall hangs the
Dragon and the Stars and Stripes about a Red Cross on a field of white.
On another the portrait of President Taft; on the third, beautifully
written in Chinese characters, the By-laws of the Legion and the Proposed
Women’s Auxiliary. Often a silk-trousered Chinese lady, with polished
hair ornamented by fine workmanship of jade and gold, sits before these
by-laws studying them seriously, beginning at the upper right hand corner
and reading downward.
[Illustration: THEATRE WHERE THE CHINESE HELD AN ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE RED CROSS.]
Most remarkable will be the evolution of a Women’s Auxiliary to the Red
Cross Legion; most remarkable to those best acquainted with Chinese
life and character. It is an emergence from sheltered living, a setting
aside of a custom scarce permitting a Chinese young lady to appear upon
the street. One does not even talk to a Chinese gentleman about his
household. But there is a precedent. Chinese ladies are going about the
streets of the great ports of New China obeying the calls of humanity and
the voice of recent ideals of social development and service. For China
has a Red Cross.
A Chinese merchant rarely calls upon a male physician for his family, but
an up-to-date woman physician is welcome in the families of the educated.
Favorable as is one’s impression of the prosperity, intelligence and
generosity of our Chinese friends; the advantages of enlightened
medical knowledge and sanitary science among them in San Francisco, not
to mention the vast interior of the Chinese Empire itself, cannot be
overestimated.
It is one of the functions of the Red Cross to create and foster enduring
friendship between nations. War is often the instrument of passion rather
than equity. Whether war is eternal or not the function of the Red Cross
is to be neutral and to heal. With acquaintance comes understanding. We
have our superstitions regarding the Chinese; they have theirs regarding
us. Beyond the Pacific the pulse of a mighty nation is quickening,
and through the Golden Gate the young Chinese will soon be lured by
opportunity to the Flowery Kingdom. Nor will they go as student, tourist
or commercial man alone. Slow, indeed, will be the opening of the vast
interior. The intelligently trained Mongolian is a great organizer and
China’s metropolitan progress will be swift. Since the fire the evolution
of the Chinese quarter has been marvelous. Some undesirable conditions
still exist, but measuring by these only heightens the achievement of the
progressive.
[Illustration: A YOUNG GIRL OF THE CHINESE QUARTER.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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