The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-25
Army and Navy Cannot Get Along
Without lt-What the Red Cross
Needs-Work to Be Done
at Home.


"(D BY working in industry, thereby
releasing men for the front, and (2) by
Joining the American Red Cross.
"Next to the preparation of NUM-
tons and recruiting the army and the
navy, the most important step in get
ting ready for war Is to build up a Red
Cross organization. I;
During the last few years much has
been done to prepare the American
Red Cfoss for the nations ealls but
preparedness on large scale cannot
be accomplished in peace time. All
that can be done is to prepare skele-
ton organization capable OF expansion
in war service, to draft plans of mo-
Utilization as any army staff would
draft them, and to gather reserve ma
terials and supplies.
when the call comes the Red Cross
must act quickly. 1t must take care Of
a vastly increased army and navy.
Therefore, it's growth must parallel
the growth Of both branches Of the
nations fighting force.
Time for Quick Action.
"The declaration Of state Of war
with Germany means that the Ameri-
can Red Cross must translate all these
plans prepared during peace into &C.
ton. 1t must be prepared to supple
ment the existing facilities Of the med
ical department of the army and the
navy and of the Medical Reserve corps.
EVERY man and woman owes 1t as q
duty to the country to become a MEM
Der of the American Red Cross. Mem
bership-it is as low as $1-should be
universal.
"Aft6F membership there is oppor-
tunity for service with the Red Cross.
Every chapter has Its workrooms and
its auxiliaries. 1t has trained instruc-
tors in the preparation Of hospital and
surgical supplies needed here and
abroad.
"Many chapters have classes In first
aid to the wounded, home care Of the
sick, home dietetics, and in the making
Of surgical dressings. All Of these are
at the service of women who wish to
aid their country.
"But what the Red Cross does need
today is trained women for the work
Of military relief. The immediate call
Is for competent nurses. A soldiers
life is too precious to risk in unskilled
hands. Nurses must largely be drawn
from the hospitals Of the cities.
"Women must be found to take the
places Of many nurses in civilian hos
pitfalls. To prepare for this emergency
the Red Cross has been conducting
great training classes for women.
"The functions Of the Red Cross,
however, go far beyond service in mill
tary hospitals. In addition to the de.
partment Of military relief is the de.
partment Of civilian relief, equally
large and equally important.
Dependents Of fighting men cannot
be neglected. Red Cross committees
assisted by expert investigators, take
care Of children who need aid. The
needs of convalescing soldiers from the
| front will be looked after.
eff the time comes when women
must 60 into industry, the burden OF
caring for children must be shifted
from many mothers. Homes or nurs
cries must be found for infants. 1t IL
the Red Cross that is called upon tt
meet these emergencies also.
Big Brother Of the Services.
"The Red Cross is the big brother Of
the medical services. The army and
navy cannot get along without 1t
Without it a warning nation is almos
helpless for the reason that natior
in time of war is unable to provide ar
adequate medical organization without
civilian aid.
"In no war have there ever beer
enough nurses and surgeons. AS NJ
chain is stronger than its weakest linl
so no army Is stronger than its Ret
Cross. So clearly is this understood
that in time of war the government re
quires the Red Cross to give all 1T
energies and facilities to the nation
caring for the fighting men and thei
dependents at home.
1.-THE Red Cross is the only organiza
ton authorized by the government t.
render war relief services. 1t acts uD
der a charter from the government
Congress passed the act Incorporating
it. This act made the president 1T
official head and placed representative
Of the army and navy on its directing
staff.
"In other words, the Red Cross
officially as much a part Of the gov
eminent machinery as the army itself
Despite this official standing, however
; the Red Cross must depend upon vol
untary service Of women and men.
is the great volunteer army that l
serving humanity as well as the ma
ton. And it is an army made VI
largely of women"