Why Not "Red Cross" Ships.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XIV, 6 October 1900, Page 623

Why Not "Red Cross" Ships.

One of the m startling facts about every one of the naval batch s between worships of modern construction. has I*”!* that tar nior< ot tn<- v-moatants met death by drowning—when, by the rules of war. they were virtually “out of action' —than in any other way, an! naval officers *»re never tiled f asserting almost unanimously that "red cross’’ vt>>els should accompany fleets in order : pick up men whose ships have sunk under them. A. Lissa, when the Italian and Austrian dev:.- met: at the battle of Yalu. between the Japanese and the Chinese: at all tne ch:-: engagements between the Americans and the Spaniards during the late war by far the greater number of deaths occurred through Pmt teiiowj having to struggle in the water after their Vessels had sunk. The contention of the great body of naval folks in regard to such men is that, the first obr being nly t rus enemy . and io do so by the infliction of as little personal suffering as possible, these dr .w ning men should be regarded as th ugh they were wounded ones, than whom they are. a rule, far more heipless. And then c«»mes the question, why not ambulance ships? As showing the genuine chivalry of dogs n the days of son. they made a rigid rule that during battles no frigate or smaller vessel picking up men in the water should ever be fired upon by line-o -battb ships. The latter actually held their fire till men were I K-d up. and then went at it again.