The Life of Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross (Vol. 2 of 2)Barton, William E. (William Eleazar)
History
The Life of Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross (Vol. 2 of 2)
Barton, William E. (William Eleazar)
American National Red Cross -- Biography; Barton, Clara, 1821-1912; Nurses -- United States -- Biography
According to my promise I write to you after having seen Mr. Moynier,
although I have nothing very new to tell you, and have only to confirm
what I have written to you in detail. I can therefore be brief this
second time. Mr. Moynier and myself are equally sympathetic to your
plan, and we shall be happy if you succeed in founding in America a
permanent work of the Red Cross. And we shall help you in it with our
influence to the extent of our power.
Mr. Moynier has written me that he has already told you so. He
has added to his communication a suggestion which indeed is very
important, i.e., that you obtain from the Government of the United
States the signing of the Convention of Geneva, which has already
been done by all other civilized states in Europe and out of Europe.
Without this signature, the private work of the Red Cross is
paralyzed. Here is an example of what has very recently taken place
in Montenegro, of which we have asked the signature before putting
ourselves in relation with it, and before sending to it our three
delegates with help for their wounded. All succeeded very well, and
Montenegro has entered eagerly into the general alliance of the
Convention of Geneva. It will be the same with America, we will hope,
which has remained back until now. But in order to ensure its success,
it will probably be necessary to make a summary communication to the
Government what the Convention of Geneva is, its destiny, and what the
Red Cross is. You will find all the desirable details upon this point
in the pamphlets or works which Monsieur Moynier mentions or sends to
you. It will be necessary that some person take cognizance of this
work with you, and assist you in it. The Red Cross has existed since
1863. Since then it has given birth to an entire new literature, so as
to make by itself a real library.
And now, my worthy friend, go on courageously with faith and hope.
The cause is good: let us defend it everywhere and let us be firm in
upholding the banner of charity. It will be ever the surest means of
combating the principle of war.
Write to me when you have done something, with or without translation.
My previous letter will give you all the details of my manner of
viewing it.
As to our participation in your sending of _secours_, I think with
Mr. Moynier that it would be better that we offer our coöperation
directly, when we succeed this time in founding an International
Agency. As formerly in 1870 we have founded one in Basle, which
has been very active and useful, and consequently if you have any
substance or provisions to send, it would be better that you send
directly.
Besides we shall always be at your service to help and advise you, and
we shall be very glad to be kept informed what you are doing, and we
shall publish your work in our trimonthly Bulletin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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