We hope that you will appreciate the motives of caution which guide us in this matter, and that you may soon enable us to act in the premises.
Wishing to testify to you its gratitude for the services you have already rendered to the Red Cross, the committee decided to offer to you one of the medals which a German engraver caused to be struck off in 1870 in honor of the Red Cross. It will be sent to you in a few days. It is of very small intrinsic value indeed, but, such as it is, we have no other means of recompensing the most meritorious of our assistants. Please to regard it only as a simple memorial, and as a proof of the esteem and gratitude we feel for you.
Accept, mademoiselle, the assurance of my most distinguished sentiments.
[Illustration: Copyright 1898, by Clara Barton.
SOME RED CROSS DECORATIONS PRESENTED TO CLARA BARTON.
_The Iron Cross of Merit presented by Emperor William I. and Empress Augusta, in recognition of services in the Franco-German War of 1870-71. The German Medal of Honor presented by the Comité International in recognition of services in securing the adhesion of the United States to the treaty of the Red Cross. The Servian Red Cross presented by Queen Natali of Servia._]
[Illustration: Copyright 1898, by Clara Barton.
_Showing the development of the Red Cross during the first twenty-five years of its existence. The city of Geneva, its origin. The central branch represents the work of the Comité International. The right branch the formation of the national societies or committees. The left branch the date of adhesion to the treaty by the various nations._]
The requirements contained in the foregoing letter, in regard to the recognition of the American Association of the Red Cross, were fully and generously complied with by the various branches of the Government of the United States, and the documents conveying the official recognition were transmitted by the Honorable Secretary of State to the American consul at Geneva, with instructions to deliver them to the International Committee.
The following is the proclamation by President Arthur announcing to the people the adoption by the United States of the Treaty of Geneva, and the Additional Articles concerning the Navy: