The ensuing article is based upon a lecture, the last of a series of three, delivered at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, in Geneva, in October and November of 1963. The author would like to take this opportunity to express his grateful thanks to Mr. Jacques Freymond the Director of the Institute, at whose invitation the lectures were delivered, and by whose kind permission the following article is published in this Review.

The three lectures were devoted to the general theme of Christianity and war. More specifically, they endeavoured to deal with the contribution rendered by Christian ideals and thinking to the rudimentary development of the Law of War at a time when theology, morals, and law were not severable. It is from this rich amalgam that Public International Law in general, and the Law of War in particular, emerged as an integral part of the Christian civilization of Western Europe. The subsequent movement whereby International Law reached out from Europe to become more truly universal is still in progress today.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the League. of Red Cross Societies sent a letter, on January 5, 1965, to all National Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Lion and Sun Societies. We quote hereunder the text thereof and remind readers that this letter was announced in the preceding issue of the International Review

During the course of 1964, the recrudescence of troubles in various regions of the Congo gave rise to further distress. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which had been in the country since I960, had to consider intensifying its activity on behalf of ever more numerous victims amongst the native population as well as foreign residents. Its delegates then succeeded in achieving several notable results, such as in arranging for the evacuation of civilians as was the case in Albertville.

Since the beginning of its medical programme on behalf of the victims of the civil war raging in the Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross has treated some 14,500 persons. Of these 9100 wounded and sick made their way by their own resources to the field hospital at Uqhd in Royalist territory in Northeast Yemen; a further 900 were admitted to the hospital; 4500 were examined and treated by the mobile medical teams in the fighting areas. We would add that 786 surgical operations have been performed at Uqhd in the complete and air-conditioned “clinobox” operating unit sent as part of the hospital equipment by the ICRC.

Mr. Hans Bachmann will remain Vice-President of the International Committee in 1965, whilst Mr. Jacques Freymond has been appointed Vice-President for 1965 and 1966.

The large-scale actions which the International Committee of the Red Cross undertakes in conflicts have always raised the difficult problem of recruitment. Under pressure as a result of unexpected situations, these have necessitated the immediate but temporary intervention of personnel sometimes very numerous and experienced in dealing with special and delicate tasks. Now, it is obviously impossible for the ICRC to retain large numbers of delegates permanently in its service who would remain inactive in periods of calm.

On November 24, 1964, the delegation of the Arab League in Geneva gave a reception at the Arabic Information and Cultural Centre in honour of Mr. Samuel A. Gonard, the new President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Several members and some of the ICRC's directing staff were invited, including Mr. Léopold Boissier, former President, Mr. Martin Bodmer, Vice-President, Mr. Frédéric Siordet and Mr. Max Petitpierre, members. On the Arab side, most of the chiefs of diplomatic missions accredited in Switzerland were present.

The vicissitudes of three sisters separated by the war. — In May 1962, Mrs. Berta B., a German who married an Englishman after the war and went to live in England, appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross to attempt to trace her sisters, Natalia and Olga. Their parents had been members of a German community in Byelorussia and they had died when the girls were very young.

The message of Mr. S. A. Gonard, President of the ICRC, was this year recorded by the ICRC Broadcasting and Television Service and sent to 127 countries in all the five continents. It was recorded in six languages and the French or English versions were sent to countries speaking other languages so that each broadcasting organization could make a translation.

For some years past the International Committee of the Red Cross has made a point of marking twenty years of service by members of its staff. A ceremony took place on December 17, 1964 at which several members of the ICRC were present. Mr. S. A. Gonard expressed the gratitude of the institution of which he is President to the following: Miss A. Besson, Mrs. D. Braun, Mrs. M. Dumur, Mrs. E. Huguenin, Mrs. S. Kallenbach, Mr. R. Lafond, Mr. A. Perret, Mr. J. Santandrea, Mrs. M. Schmauss, Miss S. Schumacher, Mr. W. Uhlig, and Mr. M. Rouge