On the Geneva Convention of 1864 : in relation to the aid afforded by volunteer societies to sick and wounded soldiers during the late Franco-German War, with a glance at the proper functions of national aid societies, particularly the British Aid Society, in the future : a lecture delivered at the Royal United Service Institution.

  • Longmore, Sir Thomas, 1816-1895.
Date:
[1872]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the Geneva Convention of 1864 : in relation to the aid afforded by volunteer societies to sick and wounded soldiers during the late Franco-German War, with a glance at the proper functions of national aid societies, particularly the British Aid Society, in the future : a lecture delivered at the Royal United Service Institution. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    The question is occasionally raised, when the suhject is reverted to in conversation, whether the benefits conferred by these vast gifts, repaid the out lay. I have no hesitation in saying that when all circumstances are taken into account, as they ought to be, the expenditure will be found to be quite justified by the amount of good effected. No one can study the subject thoroughly and impartially without coming to this conclusion. I myself, indeed, have been surprised at so much having been accomplished, considering the suddenness of the events which called the Society into existence; the absence of all preparation or previous organization to meet the wants suddenly created ; consider- ing the rapidity with which the successive phases of the war followed one another, each phase changing circumstances of place and require- ments ; and considering also, as I shall presently point out, that the Society's agents had no legal or authorised standing for interference at the seat of war: when all these things are taken into account. 1 think no other conclusion can be come to than that it is a subject for great congratulation that the Society was able to minister to the wants of the sick and wounded so materially, and to so vast an extent as it did. I have endeavoured to make my conviction clearly apparent that the sick and wounded of both armies during the Franco-German war did derive material benefits from the English and other National Societies who interfered in their behalf, because I intend presently to ask the question whether, as a general principle, the plan of administering such international aid in time of war be deserving of encouragement or otherwise; whether there were not exceptional circumstances in regard to the late Franco-German war which prevented the harm resulting, which may be expected to result, if such international aid to contending armies be established as a system and applied to future wars. Every one who reflects on the matter must become aware that the title of the British National Aid-Society was a misnomer, as were for the time being the titles of all the other National Aid-Societies who helped on the continent during the late war, with the exception of the German and French Societies. The funds were subscribed for inter- national purposes; the work of the Society was international; and, to all intents and purposes, the Society was an International Aid-Society. Although thus thoroughly international and not national, it has been generally held and stated, not only that the Society was established under the warrant of the Articles of the Geneva Convention, but that the Articles of the Convention conferred on all those who were thus internationally engaged in aiding the sick and wounded, the privileges of neutrality and inviolability of person. It is this assertion on which I believe it to be important a light understanding should be come to ; for that it is devoid of truth, the text of the Convention itself, as well as collateral evidence, will, I think, sufliciently show. Is it true, however, that the articles of the Geneva Convention have been interpreted as I have mentioned ? Is it true that the help afforded to the German and French sick and wounded soldiers by the English Aid-Society was supposed to be grounded upon, and to be facilitated