The American Red Cross Magazine (Vol. 8, No. 2, April 1913)American National Red Cross
History
The American Red Cross Magazine (Vol. 8, No. 2, April 1913)
American National Red Cross
American National Red Cross -- Periodicals; Red Cross and Red Crescent -- Periodicals
It is reported that while engaged in giving attention to wounded men in
the plaza before the National Palace, the president of the Red Cross was
shot and killed. It has also been stated that two members of the White
Cross Society were captured by the troops under the command of General
Diaz and were found to be engaged in carrying ammunition, and that for
this reason they were executed. Without more complete knowledge of local
conditions and in consideration of the terrible confusion which prevailed
in the City of Mexico in those days of fighting, it would be unjust to
endeavor to fix the blame for these unfortunate incidents.
With the establishment of a stable government and the coming of peace it
is hoped that the Mexican Red Cross may be given its proper status and
recognition, and that those who have heretofore served under the banner
of the White Cross may be induced to dissolve that organization and join
hands heartily with the Red Cross.
The origin of the Mexican White Cross dates back to the revolution
which Francisco I. Madero led against the government of Porfirio Diaz.
As a result of the severe fighting between the insurgent and federal
forces along the United States border in the spring of 1911 many men
were seriously injured. At that time no systematic medical service was
provided by either army, and the Mexican Red Cross, which had been
organized only a short time previously, had not undertaken to send nurses
and physicians to the front. The situation at the threshold of the United
States, particularly at the California boundary and near El Paso, Texas,
became so serious that the American Red Cross undertook to provide
physicians, nurses and hospital care for such of the wounded men as could
be reached without going into the interior of Mexico. This service of
the American Red Cross along the border in California, Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona aroused a sense of pride among many of the people of Mexico,
with the result that a group of friends of the insurgents organized a
body of nurses and physicians to be sent to the scene of the fighting.
To the new organization was given the name of the Mexican White Cross.
At about the same time that the White Cross was organized, the Red Cross
also prepared to send nurses and physicians to the front. The White Cross
group reached Juarez, across the boundary from El Paso, only twenty-four
hours before the arrival of the Red Cross group. At that time it was a
matter of current report that the White Cross promoters and supporters
were favorable to Madero and his cause, and that the Red Cross, having
been created under the administration of President Diaz, inclined to
favor the federal cause as against that of Madero. The representatives
of the two organizations on reaching Juarez were not cordial to each
other, and a strong feeling of rivalry was apparent. In justice to both
organizations, however, it should be said that at a conference held in
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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