forming a corporation of nurses to work in the cause of humanity in time
of war, regardless of nationality of the injured, and who should be
permitted to aid the wounded on the battle-field, under the protection
of a flag which should be recognized as neutral.

So much interest was taken in the idea that the outcome was a convention
held at Geneva in 1864, which was attended by representatives from
sixteen of the great nations of the world, who signed an agreement that
they would protect members of the association when caring for the
wounded on the field of battle. The society adopted for its colors the
Swiss cross, as a compliment to its birthplace; they, however, reversed
the colors, and the flag is therefore a red cross on a white field, and
is the only military hospital flag of civilized warfare; it protects
persons from molestation who work under the emblem performing services
in aid of the wounded. Great care is used in granting permission to
persons to wear this emblem; and in order that it shall not be taken
advantage of to spy in the enemies' camp, private marks are added to
prevent imitation. The headquarters of the International Committee is at
Geneva; the president of the society is M. Gustav Moynier.

In 1882, Miss Clara Barton was delegated by the President of the United
States to represent this country at the Congress of the Red Cross
Committee, and was made a member of the International Board of Managers
when the United States signed the international treaty.

It was decided that the work of the Red Cross Society should not be
confined to times of war, but that in case of disasters and calamities,
which were always to be apprehended, the organization was to provide
aid. During the past seventeen years the American Red Cross Society has
served in fifteen disasters and famines, and Russians, Armenians, and