Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-07
Give to the Red Cross.

l HlS natlon must open its pockets wide II
the needs Of the Red Cross are to be
met and the sufferings of our soldiers, and
OF other soldiers who fight our battles. are
to be relieved. The Red Cross requires many
millions of dollars. and this money must be
provided. Richmond cannot fail to do its
share.
On the battle fields OF France wounded
men lie now for weary hours at a time be-
cause medical facilities and nursing forces
are inadequate. In war such as this, with
casualties so enormous, too much cannot be
done Medical and surgical units by the
hundred should be sent to the front and sup
piled generously with every facility for re-
lieving distress and saving life At home
there are duties scarce less important, for
until the nation provides for dependents of
soldiers there will be restitution on every
hand.
In Richmond there should be at least
$4,000 members of the Red Cross. The
meeting of teachers of the public schools,
which was held yesterday, should go far
toward informing the children. and through
them their parents. of the vital necessity OF
general cooperation with Red Cross work
Dues are only 81. and there ought to be
no difficulty in inducing Richmonders to give
that amount. at least. That dollar, however
is merely the promise and the guarantee of
the giver's sympathy and help. There is so
much to be done that the united efforts of
all of us are required to give any assur-
ance of success. The men can always give
In proportion to their means. and In addition
there is committee and clerical work waiting
always to be performed. For the women
there are more diversified activities-gar-
ments to sew or knit. bandages to roll, cases
to pack, actual nursing to be done In this
great army OF mercy and gentleness and
helpfulness there Is a place for every man
and woman in the land.
Duties are individual as we'll as collec-
tive. They rest on each of us as we'll as
on all of US. They not to be escaped
They cannot be overlooked The plain facts
are that in the armies now battling for the
rights Of democracy and the freedom of ma
lions there are sufferings that only we can
relieve, and that within a few months, un-
less we bestir ourselves, these sufferings will
be shared by our own boys.
There is no occasion for panic The task
OF the Red Cross, however difficult, is not
impossible. 1t can, and will, be performed
II America wakes to realization of its
responsibility and to a real vision of its
matchless opportunity. The Red Cross is
the representative OF peace in the midst OF
war-of that peace which carries healing
in Its wings" 1t has its trained agents and
workers on every field Of strife and in every
maven to which wars human shards are sent
to be restored. Wherever wars effects ara
felt the Red Cross ministers
1t should be the happy privilege of eyery
loyal American and Of every lover of human
kind TO give generously-to give gladly-to
this cause. and to give not money only. hut
service Let us bring this matter home and
think OF 1t and determine it In the light of
our own obligation We need not be troubled
by what others do or do not do. We Ger
tainly need waste no time In criticism ~
others delinquencies. real or assumed. Let
us DO our own duty. Let us give our own
money, and time. and affection, and brain
and energy, that no unnecessary anguish
born OF war. anywhere shall be endured.
before the war is over Richmond may be
called on to give 100000 to Red Cross
work. The Times-Dispatch. with so,emn
earnestness, assures its readers that the need
is scarcely to be measured We must make
a good start now.