The American

FOUNDER OF THE RED CROSS.

Report From The Case

To Mr. Henry Dunant, a Business Man
The man belongs the honor of teaching
the stage this movement, says
the Woman's Home
Companion being in
vicinity of the time
of the battle of Solferino
June he visited the battle-
field. Appalled by the
endless and terrible suffering,
he remained many days doing all in
his power to relieve. During
these terrible days Mr.
Dunant conceived the idea of a system
of organized relief, whereby aid could
be given under such circumstances.
Returning home he published a little
book called "Recollections of Solferino"
that aroused great interest. His
book touched a responsive chord in hearts.
Being invited to address the Geneva Society of Public Utility on the subject, he unfolded to them his plan.
From that time forward he labored
indefatigably to win adherents to his cause, writing articles, delivering
speeches, traveling from place to
place, consulting officials high in authority at the European courts. By
the provision of the Red Cross treaty
surgeons, nurses, ambulance trains,
and all hospital supplies are considered
neutral, provided they display a uniformed badge and flag, accompanied by
their national flag. In compliment to
Mr. Dunant and the Swiss government
the protective sign agreed upon was
a red Greek cross on a white ground—
the reverse of the Swiss flag. Turkey
alone has objected to this. Her soldiers, in their intense hatred of the
Christian symbol, refused to work under
a banner with a cross, and they were allowed to use a red crescent in its place. Mr. Dunant is now 70 years
of age. Having spent half his fortune
in establishing the Red Cross, and having
lost the other half in unfortunate
business ventures, he lived for many
years, poor and forgotten, in a plain
district infirmary in Switzerland, of
which he himself was the founder.
Now, however, through the pensions
granted him by the dowager empress
of Russia and the federal council of
Switzerland, and the generous gifts
of money sent him by the citizens of
Stuttgart, Germany, he is spending a
peaceful old age in comfort and plenty.