Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-19

gave up hope of peace. When, finally. the nation
declared war, the Sc base hospitals were complete
1y organized, equipped and supplied, and back of
them a great body of men and women trained
to the work of keeping them supplied.
That is how the Red Cross works in all it's
fold activities. The heads of the organization
and that means the heads of the naton-deter-
mine what is needed, and through the division
directors to the chapters goes the word Of what
Washington wants-and instantly the people, on
whom rests the Red Cross, begin to supply it.
Belgium violated, and ten millions of help
less civilians left starving and freezing The Red
Cross the rescue, and President Wilson's
call money and supplies raised sent
over to be there distributed by Red Cross agents.
Serbia crushed, and stricken with typhus
fever. There went the American Red Cross, with
strong and capable surgeons and skilled nurses,
backed by money and medicines and supplies fur
nished by the Red Cross. 1t the lives of
some of the finest of the Red Cross workers, but
typhus stamped out and thousands upon
thousands saved.
The American Red Cross there with surgeons
and nurses, food and clothing-yes, even with
portable frame houses "made in America" to
house the victims until they could rebuild their
homes
There was a great famine in China. There. too,
the American Red Cross, not only helping
feed the starving but with a commission of some
of the most famous engineers of the depart
ment. to whom China intrusted the task of spend
ing $780, 100000 a system of works to prevent
the overflow of the great river which yearly de-
Stroyed crops and caused famine.
That is how the Red Cross works.
Why the work is done by the Red Cross is
easiest of all to explain, though perhaps least
derstood by the public. 1t is because the work of
preparing beforehand to meet unforeseen emer-
gencies and of alleviating human suffering, has
never been undertaken by any other agency. In
the words of the old saw, "everybody's business is
nobody's business
,1a seems almost Incredible but after all the cen
turtles of war and agony, nation in history ever
went to war with organization capable of car
ing for the wounded the battlefield, to say
HING of Tho viz Of orpo amin
and pestilence that stalked the land after
the armies
Never, until this present year of grace, has
there ever been q base hospital organized, in time
of peace, to for the wounded after battle
There is a small medical corps with the army,
but it merely pass the wounded back to field
and evacuation hospitals, giving only temporary
dressing-often not even that. There are always
home hospitals, too But the gap between them
filled by base hospital organizations. ha:
never heretofore been filled until thousands lay
the field dying of thirst and fever and loss OF
blood for lack of that very thing.
After the battle of the Marine, in the presen
war, the Red Cross facilities limited thai
lay in the scorching the battlefield fol
two, three, four, and five, days with no
drop of water, nor a bandage on theil
wounds. 1t cost thousands of arms and legs tina
could have been saved cost many life needlessl,
spent, and the anguish endured never b.
voiced.
said that the governments of the various coun
tries should have met the need. True-but the.
les
bound down by precedent, constitutional and leg
isatfye limitations politics and short-sightedness
And it has been found that the Red Cross
protected and encouraged by the government cal
do quickly and well many things which the gov
eminent could not do for itself.
Speaking locally and sefshly there stron
personal reasons why every American should hell
the Red Cross. In this war. it may be you me
your brother mine. whose life is saved by tn
bandages the Red Cross is making. Here a
home, 1T may be your house mine blown up o
storm-wrecked fioodswept; your family o
mine left destitute by any of score of disas
tiers. And in that case we ourselves would benen
by the mfnistrations of the Red Cross.
From the standpoint of the business man,
strong and active Red Cross is insuranc
policy When disaster comes, it is always tn
business who is called from his Office or stor
to take I'D the unfamiliar task of raising funds
Investigating of destitution, overseeing tn
purchase of supplies and their distribution. an
getting the survivors back to where they can ear
their living again. But with trained Red eros
the disturbance normal life is at minimum
Almost before a citizens committee could
called together capable and experienced men, d
rected by the head of division himself unde
orders from Washington. lays firm and stead
hand on affairs. and relief is given surely swiftly
Justly and the business does not have
spend valuable days and weeks at work for whic
he has no training.
Nationally and locally. the Red Cross is th
best accident insurance any people can have.
ISN'T THIS SILLY7