A GREAT HUMANITARIAN

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1929, Page 7

A GREAT HUMANITARIAN

May 8 was the 101st anniversary o the birth of a man long forgotten but who did a great service to humanity—Henri Dunant, the founde. of the Red Cross service, who wa born in Geneva on May 8, 1828. Whei on Juno 24, 1859, the Austrians op posed .the Italians and French at Sol ferino, Henri Dunant, a traveilin journalist, happened to witness th< furious battle. His warm heart ache' at the sight of the many thousam dead and wounded, who, without an; help, would lie simply left to perish Roused to action at this heart-rend-ing spectacle, he called on the popu lation of Sol ferino for help. Even available building was filled wit-1 wounded, the church alone giving re fuge to some five hundred. Day ave night Dunant superintended the firs aid administrations and the feodin of the many sufferers. Later, whei back at Geneva, his experiences cans od him to write a booklet entitle' “Recollections of Solferino,” in wliic’ lie laid stress on the necessity of or ganisation in the care of wounded ir time of war. Thanks to his untirin' energy and persistency lie at last go several European Powers interestc in liis merciful scheme. It must liavi been very gratifying for him when at his invitation, these Powers sen delegates to Geneva, to confer wit 1 Henri Dunant. Thus the Conventio. of Geneva came into being, and tli outcome of this was the birth of th Red Cross organisation. It may, b the way, interest the readers to kno" how the name “Red Cross” original od. As a compliment to the Repub lie of Switzerland, the homeland o r Henri Dunant, Ibo Convention o Geneva accepted as the emblem o ' their organisation the Swiss flag in reversed colours, the Swiss cm bier being a white cross on rod. Dunant however, was soon forgotten and for years lived in poverty. The Dowager Empress of Russia alone rememibore' him and allowed him an annuity, which kept him from starvation. A few years before lie died bis wonder fnl achievement gained him some re cognition. He was awarded the Nolle’ prize for peace. lie died in 19]H. How many of those thousands and thousands who have been through the bauds of the Red Cross know whom they have to thank for their existence.