The Centenary of the Red Cross of Baden-Württemberg was celebrated in 1963 by a number of events of which we will be reading an account below which we owe its Secretary-General. We would, however, like to refer to the historical background of a hundred years ago in relation to the recent celebrations in Stuttgart. The origin of the oldest Society of Aid to Military Wounded and Sick, founded in 1863, should in fact be recalled. The destinies of Württentberg were at that time in the royal hands of Wilhelm I, who agreed to send representatives to the International Conference convened in Geneva in October 1863. These were the Reverend Christoph-Ulrich Hahn, delegate of the Minister for War, accompanied by Dr. Wagner. For discussion and adoption was a “draft agreement” of the Committee of Five which was to be the basis of the Convention signed in Geneva a year later.

Much has been heard of the valuable help given, through the American Red Cross, by those voluntary aids known as “Gray Ladies”, in hospitals, sanatoria, rest homes, clinics and convalescent centres in the United States. Qualified volunteers of all ages undertake these missions (in some cases men also help these services), especially for people who are incapacitated through illness for long periods.

The Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Samuel Gonard, returned on February 10 to Geneva, after a four week tour in the Middle East. He visited the ICRC delegations in Saudi Arabia and in the Yemen and in particular inspected the field hospital at Uqhd in the North of the Yemen, where wounded and sick victims of the war from both sides are cared for.

After protracted negotiations and thanks to the comprehension of the Imam El Badr and the Saudi Arabian authorities, the ICRC recently negotiated the release of fifteen Egyptian prisoners who had been interned for several months at Taif in Saudi Arabia. One of them had a fractured leg and another was half paralyzed as a result of a wound.

In a very tense atmosphere, the ICRC delegates are pursuing their activity in Cyprus on behalf of the victims of events and particularly of hostages held by both sides.

After having completed his mission, Mr. Jacques de Heller, ICRC delegate, returned, from Algeria after visiting some fifty Moroccans held captive by the Algerian forces following the frontier conflict in the autumn of 1963.

Upon Mr. René Dovaz' resignation at the end of 1963 from his office as Director of Radio-Genève, when he also retired as Broadcasting Adviser to the ICRC, the International Committee desired to express to him, in the course of an informal meeting held in February, its profound appreciation and also to present him with the institution's silver medal.