The Red Cross of Other Nations. — Their Sympathy and Active Co-Operation
It is with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction that I record the fact that the Red Cross of the United States is, in its relations with all the foreign branches of the International Society, on terms of mutual confidence and esteem; and that the utmost cordiality is maintained through a constant interchange of correspondence.
During many years, before our organization received the attention and official recognition in this country that it was entitled to, coming as it did with the prestige of a splendid record in Europe, and the patronage of the elite of the Old World, I was encouraged and strengthened by those friends of many nations, but of one humanity, to hold to the good work until the United States should place itself in the van of enlightenment and civilization, and catch step in the grand march onward to universal peace. Many times discouragement and despair battled with me; and but for the never-ending kindly words that bade me strive on, I fear I should have been inclined to give up the fight.
The American people are ever so active and full of the work of the present, that it is a hard matter to interest them in anything that may be of remote utility or even mercy. Certainly, no other people have quicker instincts or more generous impulses than they; and none respond with more alacrity and abundance with the need is present. It was almost an impossibility to make the average American believe that his country would ever go to war again; therefore, why should he trouble himself about war cares or appliances; there would be time enough to think about those things when war was threatened. Surely no one wanted to fight us. We, as a nation, attended to our own business, and didn’t interfere in the affairs of other nations; and thus were in no danger of getting into serious trouble with any one.
Of course, the history of the world was all against any such optimistic reasoning; but, then, it was said, America was a new country, and laid on peaceable lines; its intentions were good and honorable and would be respected; besides, it was so powerful and so remote from other nations that it was in no danger of attack under any circumstances. That was the kind of argument one met, when vouchsafed an opportunity to speak in behalf of the Red Cross. Fortunately, though, there were a few more thoughtful and reflecting people who could look ahead and see the dangers; who knew that, however carefully navigated, there were winds and tides that might veer from her course the good ship of state, and wreck or damage her on the rocks of discord. These few friends rallied to the support of the Red Cross, and stood by it through all the dark days; and now that it has received its “baptism of fire,” and the gracious acknowledgment of gratitude from the President of the United States, and the blessings of thousands upon thousands of the citizens and soldiers who have felt its beneficence, they feel, with its president, that there is at least some truth in the old saying that “all things come to him who waits.”
The alarm of war was all that was needed to bring the American people quickly to a realization of the necessity for the services of the Red Cross; and that necessity once recognized, they gave an unstinted support of themselves and their means. Had there been need for them, the Red Cross could easily have recruited an army of twenty-five thousand from the flower of American womanhood. Rich and poor alike gave their money freely; and doctors and nurses from every part of the country offered their services for no greater compensation than the privilege to serve suffering humanity.
To our friends of the Red Cross in Europe and in Asia—nearly all of the nations of which contributed liberally to our needs during the late war—we have no words that will adequately express our appreciation and gratitude for their timely aid; and if I fail to make proper acknowledgment it is because I am unable to say all that wells up to my heart for utterance. Let it suffice for me to say that the Americans are enthusiastic, affectionate, and appreciative; and a kindness once shown is never forgotten. God grant that other nations may not have to settle their differences by an appeal to arms; but should such an unhappy fate attend them, I can say with certainty, that the Red Cross of America will be only too happy to reciprocate the many kindnesses that have been equally shown to us and to our late opponents.
To the Red Cross of Spain we extend our loving hand, with the hope that our two nations shall never more be anything but the warmest friends. We know how our sister society suffered in this last struggle; and we, who labored under the banner of “humanity and neutrality”—we, who could harbor no animosity for a brave people struggling, as they were, for what they believed to be their rights—lent our assistance to its countrymen wherever we found them, on the fields, or in the prisons and hospitals; and it is our proud privilege to say that the Red Cross of Spain has officially recognized in a most graceful and welcome manner its high appreciation and gratitude for the good offices we were able to render in the line of our duty to its sick and wounded countrymen during the late war.
Remembering with heartfelt gratitude the munificence of Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Turkey and India, I trust it will not appear invidious for me to especially commend two of their sister countries.
The Red Cross of France, acting in strict accordance with the principle of neutrality, gave generously and equally to the Red Cross societies of Spain and the United States for the benefit of the sick and wounded; while many of its private societies and citizens sent us substantial remembrances of the long-continued friendship that binds together the two countries. To all these we say: “God bless you; we shall not forget.”
Soon after the United States had declared war against Spain I received a letter from the Duke of Palmella, the President of the Portuguese Red Cross Society, in which he tendered the services of his society to act as a friendly intermediary between the societies of the belligerent powers. The geographical position of Portugal, being on the border of Spain, and the well-known neutrality of her people, made her the natural agency for this purpose; and as all mail facilities between Spain and the United States had ceased, we gladly availed ourselves of this opportunity to communicate with “our friend, the enemy.” Of course, the same offer was tendered to Spain and accepted by that country.
The prime reason for the duke’s suggestion was his desire to open a way for the prisoners of war of both countries to inform their relatives and friends of their condition and whereabouts. The arrangement worked perfectly, and many anxious hearts were saved from the rack of uncertainty; while others were informed of the sad fate that had befallen their loved ones. How well satisfied our Portuguese friends are with the service that was rendered is best told in the following copy of a letter received some time since:
Lisbon, October 22, 1898.
The American National Red Cross, Washington, D.C.:
Dear Mr. Secretary:—We beg to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favor of the first October, enclosing three more letters, the last to be returned to Spain.
Our work being now arrived at a close, we take advantage of this opportunity for presenting to the American National Red Cross and your worthy president our earnest thanks for their kind support in the accomplishment of the task we have undertaken in behalf of Spanish prisoners in the United States and their relatives and friends in Spain.
Again, we have true pleasure in acknowledging, in the name of hundreds of mothers and wives, whose sorrow and anxiety were extreme, the invaluable services you and your government have rendered to them, in order to assure correspondence between the prisoners and their families—a fact quite new in the annals of war—the benefits of which are certainly to be valued and cherished by every sensible heart. For we must not conceal that when we were determined to ask the assent of the American and Spanish Governments for such a work, through your kind mediation and that of our friends in Madrid, most people shook their heads incredulously, and while admiring the spirit that animated our good wishes, feared that our efforts would be in vain, and that the Red Cross would find itself hopelessly out of place in the unusual position it was about to fill. It is a consolation—indeed, amidst such gloom it is a transient happiness—to know that such was not the case; and we feel happy in proclaiming that the most efficient part of that work was, undoubtedly, yours.
Please accept, dear sir, my sincere regard and distinguished consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Duke of Palmella