May 8 is World Red Cross Day, which was established in memory of the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant (whose birthday is May 8). General Secretary Xi Jinping once pointed out: the Red Cross is the international organization with the widest influence and the highest degree of recognition in the world; the Red Cross is a spirit and a flag, transcending national borders, races, and beliefs, leading the humanitarian movement in the world. movement. At present, the Red Cross is one of the three major international organizations in the world together with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. For more than 100 years, the Red Cross has held high the banner of humanitarianism and made outstanding contributions to protecting human life and health, safeguarding human dignity, promoting mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between people, and promoting lasting peace for mankind.
Founded in 1904, the Red Cross Society of China is the oldest humanitarian organization in China. For the historical research of the Red Cross Society of China, there are certain theoretical achievements, including "Ninety Years of the Red Cross Society of China" edited by the Red Cross Society of China, and "China A Hundred Years of History of the Red Cross Society", "An Essay on the History of the Red Cross Movement in China", etc. However, who first introduced the Red Cross to China? The relevant writings are vague.
In Chinese literature, the earliest person to use "Red Cross" and to refer to the establishment of the "International Committee of the Red Cross" in Geneva, Switzerland was Ding Weiliang (1827-1916). In his diary on August 27, Year Seven (1881), he wrote:
Henry Dunant
The Scarlet Letter Society was originally created by the Association of Colleagues to help the wounded soldiers. In the ninth year of Xianfeng (1859), Austria and France fought each other. There was a Swiss doctor, Dunan, who returned to the battlefield and described the situation to the meeting: There were tens of thousands of wounded soldiers, and the barracks doctors could not take care of them. When the members heard this, they were all sentimental, so they decided to set up a separate meeting specifically to relieve the injured. The Red Cross was used as the mark, and it was called the Scarlet Letter Society.
(Ding Weiliang's "Review of Western Studies", Yuelu Publishing House, 2016 edition) The
above has several meanings: 1. "Tongren Association" (now translated as "Geneva Public Welfare Association") is the predecessor of the International Committee of the Red Cross; 2. The founder of the Red Cross Society It was Dunant. The reason why it was founded was because Dunant witnessed the tragic situation of the wounded soldiers in the war between Austria and France. Because of the lack of doctors in the barracks, many wounded soldiers died without timely treatment. Third, the symbol of this international organization is: Taking the "Red Cross as a record", the duty is to rescue the wounded; 4. In order to make this idea come true, they propose to hold an international conference to discuss the regulations. "Report to the countries, the statutes of the conferences of envoys" may refer to the preparatory conference held in Geneva from October 26 to 29, 1863, attended by 36 representatives of 16 countries. The conference determined some basic principles and stipulated that each country The establishment of an ambulance committee, the work of training male nurses, the neutralization of ambulances and hospitals, and the adoption of a uniformly identified red cross armband, etc., were named "International Red Cross".
Although Ding Weiliang's diary did not use the name "Red Cross", he used the name "Red Cross" and pointed out that "the Red Cross is the record"; he also introduced the founder of the Red Cross, Dunan and the origin of its establishment. . It's just that Ding Weiliang got Dunan's occupation wrong. Dunan was not a doctor, but the son of a banker. Later, he was busy with the Red Cross and other humanitarian relief causes, and even died of poverty and illness. In 1901, Dunant won the first award. Nobel Peace Prize.
Ding Weiliang's diary on the same day went on to write:
In the fourth year of Tongzhi (1865), the ministers of various countries met in Rancheng (now translated as Geneva) to set a new example of treating sick and wounded soldiers during wartime. The matter is not intended to be kept in the territory, but only to save the sick and wounds, that is, the common people have the meaning of saving their lives (the move was inspired by my friend Meunier, so Yi is now the director of the meeting), the Rancheng Conference Palace has been Lei Shi and Zhi Shi.
("Western Learning")
This should refer to the international conference held in Geneva, Switzerland on August 22, 1864 (probably Ding Weiliang's memory was wrong), at which the International Convention of the Red Cross was formally signed, namely "Improving the Conditions of the Wounded in the Field Army". The Geneva Convention stipulates that hospitals and personnel providing medical care on the battlefield are in a neutral position and should be protected; the wounded and sick should be treated regardless of friend or foe. Today is the birthday of the International Red Cross. "This move was inspired by my friend Meunier", referring to the strong repercussions in Europe after the publication of Dunant's "Memoirs of Solferino" in 1862, in which he highlighted the indescribable description of the wounded on the battlefield the suffering of the wounded, and appeal to the world: to formulate an international law to treat prisoners of war with a humanitarian attitude and to ensure the neutralization of the wounded; to establish a volunteer rescuer association in each country, and to convene a group of well-trained medical personnel. Once war breaks out , they voluntarily went to the front line, regardless of race, nationality, religious belief and political belief, to rescue the wounded and sick to make up for the lack of medical work in the military. Dunant also suggested that an international conference be convened immediately to discuss the basic principles of the association. In 1863, the charitable group "Peer Association" created a "Committee of Five" to study how to realize Dunant's vision. Meunier (now translated Gustave Moigner, 1826-1910) was one of them. . Ding Weiliang praised Meunier for "being kind and loving, taking saving people as his own responsibility, and being able to work tirelessly to promote righteousness because of his reputation. Therefore, the great powers deeply appreciate his virtue and reward him with treasure stars."
"Western Learning Examination" is printed by Tongwen Museum in the ninth year of Guangxu (1883). In 2016, the author pointed out in the long preface to the "Review of Western Studies" compiled by point-checking: "This may be the earliest record of the Red Cross Society in Chinese literature. In particular, he pointed out that the establishment of the Red Cross Society is closely related to Switzerland's long history. The existing colleagues have strong relationships and deserve the attention of scholars studying international organisations and charities."
Ding Weiliang
Ding Weiliang is an encyclopedic scholar. In 1864, he translated and published "Public Law of the Nations", which marked the official introduction of international law into China. Since then, he has translated and published "The Stars and the Palms", "Public Law Handbook", "Public Law Huitong" and "New Selection of Land Campaigns". He was the leading "China Hand" among foreigners in China at that time, and his Chinese was excellent. He was one of the first scholars to introduce Chinese literature and culture to the West, especially the United States. His representative work "Essence of Sinology: The Spiritual World of the Chinese and Its Influence" is divided into five volumes. elaborate. From 1880 to 1882, Ding Weiliang took advantage of the opportunity to return to the United States to visit relatives, and made a global academic investigation, traveling to Japan, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Switzerland and other countries. ", reporting to the Prime Minister's Yamen. During this period, Ding Weiliang had met Zeng Jize many times in Paris and London and had in-depth conversations with him. Therefore, it is logical that he first introduced the Red Cross to China.
Recently, I studied the envoy diary of Zeng Jize, the second minister to Britain and France in the late Qing Dynasty, and made new discoveries. In this book, it is recorded on the fifth day of April in the sixth year of Guangxu (1880):
It was the day when the Ordnance Bureau sent a drawing of the manufacture to look at it, and the last one was painted with a blue yulet, so the soldiers who were injured in battle were taken away. A cross is painted on the side, covered with red cloth. The style of cutting the cross is attached to the tuxedo, and the escort also cuts the cross and attaches it to the front of the clothes, even if the enemy army does not harm it, this is also a Western common practice. A doctor who heals wounds, self-governs the soldiers of the country, and also treats the soldiers of the enemy. The doctor also wears a cross on the front of his clothes for recognition. Although he is in conflict, he can harm the whole body and far away. No country, no matter how cunning, will not violate this example. His words said: When a soldier comes into battle, it is not his original intention, but the order of the ruler and the commander. Killing the wounded is not enough to show martial arts. If I kill the wounded soldiers of the enemy army, the enemy army will also do what I have done to repay the grievances. It is the wounded soldiers and soldiers that I kill myself, and there are many people who suffer from defeat. Furthermore, the two armies are of equal size, and the officers and men are captured. If the captured man swears that he will no longer foresee the war, he can let him go back. There are many people who suffer from failures. Those who have not poured out the good manners of the Western world, and the unpretentious atmosphere, talk about it with the Qing ministers, and write them down.
(Zeng Jize's "Diary of an Envoy to Britain, France and Russia", Yuelu Publishing House, 2008 edition)
The main points of this passage are: 1. The stretchers used to rescue wounded soldiers on the battlefield ("yu" originally refers to sedan chairs), medical staff, and those who carry stretchers are all red crosses. As a mark, the enemy can not harm, "this Western rule is also", even the most cunning country dare not violate it; 2. The doctors on the battlefield not only treat the wounded soldiers of their own countries, but also the wounded soldiers of the enemy country; 3. The idea is that killing wounded soldiers is not enough to show one's might, not to mention that if you kill the wounded soldiers of the other side, the other side will retaliate, so you will be caught in the retribution of grievances, which is equivalent to killing our wounded soldiers; 4. Zeng Jize spoke highly of this practice. It is "the good law and good intentions of the West", and talked about it with the embassy translator and the British Magrey. Although Zeng Jize did not explicitly mention the organization of the Red Cross, he pointed out the unique mark of this organization and mentioned its philosophy, and it was rare that he expressed his approval very clearly.
Zeng Jize was the first famous diplomat who was proficient in English in the late Qing Dynasty. Before going abroad, he often read English newspapers and had extensive and in-depth contacts with many foreign celebrities in the capital. After going abroad, the British and French were hired as translators in the British and French embassies. He has a lot of contacts with newspaper editors and politicians, and the information channels are smooth. Zeng Jize also attaches great importance to public international law and believes that public law plays an important role in maintaining international peace and stability, so he can understand and agree with the concept of the Red Cross. He and Ding Weiliang were close friends. Before going abroad, he wrote a letter to ask Ding Weiliang for advice because he was afraid that it would be inconvenient to bring his wife to participate in activities abroad. The Diary of an Envoy to Britain, France and Russia and Zeng Jize's Diary of an Envoy to the West have been published for many years, and the editors also reminded readers in their side comments that this content is a description of the Red Cross, and for some reason it did not attract the attention of the researchers of the Red Cross.
Let's go back and talk about the establishment of the Red Cross Society of China in 1904. In 1904, Zhang Deyi, the ambassador to England in London, was instructed to make up the original appointment of the Red Cross, and translated the imperial edict of Emperor Guangxu's approval to join the International Red Cross into French, and handed it over to the Swiss Minister in England. Zhang Deyi's diary on May 18th in the 30th year of Guangxu (1904) in Zhang Deyi's "Eight Stories" says:
Zeng Jize
On the 10th day of March this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a supplement to the original contract of the Swiss Red Cross, and would like to issue it to the envoy in the UK with a plenipotentiary edict, and ask for approval of the Baohe Society for a 10% discount on each payment. Feng Zhu criticized "Yi Yiqin this". I received the edict on the 15th, and I respectfully translate it into French and have everything ready. This afternoon, I will present it in person to the Swiss Minister in England, and ask him to hand it over to Ruiting.
The original text of Emperor Guangxu's decree is: The
emperor's decree to envoy Zhang Deyi, the British minister of the Deputy Capital Commander: I only appreciate the great Swiss National Red Cross Society for its kind deeds around the world. The Red Cross Society in the Peacekeeping Society of various countries promoted the water war treaty, and Yang Ru, a former envoy to Russia, was sent to draw him, and his land war treaty should also be recognized. Ztermell handled the membership matters for the Minister Plenipotentiary, consulted with the ambassadors of the Great Switzerland in the UK, informed the General Assembly, and made a supplementary drawing. Erqi will do things with dignity and will not be responsible for the appointment. encyclical.
The "Baohe Society" (or "Baohehui"), the World Peace Conference, was held in The Hague, Netherlands in May 1899. The Qing government sent Yang Ru, the former minister to Russia, to attend the conference. On July 29, the General Assembly passed the Treaty on the Promotion of the Principles of the Geneva Conventions for Water Warfare (the Hague Convention on the Application of the Principles of the Geneva Conventions to Naval Warfare). The "Rilafer" refers to the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in the Field of Army, adopted on August 22, 1864, which is also known as the "Red Cross Convention", which is also the "Land War Treaty" mentioned above. ". Although Yang Ru had drawn a bond on the "Water War Treaty", he had not signed the "Land War Treaty" and had to negotiate with the Swiss government to make a supplementary sign. "Oriental Magazine", No. 4, 1904, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Supplements the Original Covenant of the Swiss Red Cross to Issue a Plenipotentiary Edict to the Envoy in England and Requests Approval of the Baohe Society to Draw and Deposit All the Items", said:
It is currently a Japanese-Russian affair. Urgently, the flow of inhabitants in the war zone is pitiful. On February 12 of this year, the imperial censor Xia Dun replayed, please check and set up the Red Cross and other languages according to Western regulations, and ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to know this... It is appropriate to receive a letter from the Swiss Federation, asking that China should redraw the land war treaty as a request. The ministers and others regard Switzerland as a non-contracted country, and it is proposed that the ambassador to the UK, Zhang Deyi, will send a note to the Swiss minister in the UK as a basis for membership. Hereby, according to Zhang Deyi's telegram, the Swiss government stated that the minister must have a full power of enquiry to supplement the contract when handling this matter, before it can do so. The ministers and others have checked the words that China and other countries have contracted to award envoys with full power. After compliance with the record, the original contract of the Swiss Red Cross should be requested to be awarded this time. , I respectfully submit the imperial list, and I am waiting for the order, and the ministers and others will go to the court.
Zhang Deyi
It can be corroborated with Zhang Deyi's "Bashu Qi". It can be seen from the above that the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 led the Qing Dynasty to accelerate the pace of joining the International Red Cross; for the sake of prudence, Zhang Deyi, the Minister in the UK, was granted full powers; Zhang Deyi negotiated directly with the Swiss Minister in the UK, but did not sign in Switzerland. Many books and periodicals say that Zhang Deyi went to Switzerland to sign the painting. I don’t know what the basis is. I checked Zhang Deyi’s diary during this period, and there is no record of going to Switzerland; Emperor Guangxu’s evaluation of the Red Cross Society is “a global charity, which is deeply commended.”
By the way, the website of the Red Cross Society, the Hong Kong Red Cross Society of China has done a good job, which is manifested in highlighting the concept and mission of the Red Cross Society, expecting the active participation of the public, and not having the lofty attitude of the official website. The homepage of the website has eight striking characters, "There is light in the dark, it is all up to you", and the following describes the philosophy of the Hong Kong Red Cross: "We strive to respect and protect human life and dignity for everyone in the world, and to voluntarily help the disadvantaged in a non-discriminatory manner,” and inform the public on how to get involved in the Red Cross movement. It is described in the mission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: to prevent and alleviate human suffering everywhere; to protect life and health, and to ensure respect for human beings, especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies ; work to prevent disease and promote health and social well-being; members of the movement are encouraged to volunteer and help whenever they need it, showing a general spirit of solidarity with those in need of protection and assistance. In addition, there are excerpts from the famous words of Henry Dunant (1828-1910), the founder of the Red Cross: "Never give up, sit on words and act!"
