As for the second point of the note of the British Government, relative to the privilege of effectively removing from a city, besieged and blockaded by sea, under the cover of neutrality, vessels bearing wounded and sick men, in such a way as to prolong the resistance of the besieged, the convention does not authorize this privilege. In according the benefits of a neutral status of a specifically limited neutrality to vessels carrying wounded, the convention could not give them rights superior to those of other neutrals who can not pass an effective blockade without special authorization. Humanity, however, in such a case, does not lose all its rights, and, if circumstances permit the besieging party to relax the rigorous rights of the blockade, the besieged party may make propositions to that end in virtue of the fourth paragraph of Article X.
It was under this modus vivendi that the steam launch “Moynier” received from the Government of the United States her commission as a little hospital ship of the Red Cross. For this little vessel, presented by Mr. William B. Howland, the editor of the Outlook, as the gift of the readers of that popular periodical, the Red Cross is gratefully indebted.
On June 6, 1898, the tender of the services of the American National Red Cross to act as an auxiliary to the Medical and Hospital Service of the Army and Navy, in accordance with the treaty, was formally accepted by the Departments of War and Navy:
War Department,
Washington, June 6, 1898.
Clara Barton,
President of the American National Red Cross, Washington, D.C.:
The tender of the services of the American National Red Cross, made to this department through the Department of State under date of May 25, 1898, for medical and hospital work as auxiliary to the hospital service of the Army of the United States, is accepted; all representatives and employes of said organization to be subject to orders according to the rules and discipline of war, as provided by the 63d Article of War.
Very respectfully,
R.A. Alger,
Secretary of War.
Navy Department,
Washington, June 6, 1898.
Clara Barton,
President of the American National Red Cross, Washington, D.C.: