Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-06
RELIEF WORK

Since the war began. nearly three years ago, thous-
ands Of persons in the United States have been engaged
in work for the suffering in the war-stricken countries
Millions Of money. and untold quantities of food and
clothing have been sent abroad for the relief of the dis
tressed' and millions of people on foreign soil have had
cause to give thanks for the generous sympathy Of Ameri-a
can men and women.
American thought is naturally directed forcefully
just now to the fact that our own nation is at war, and
that quite probably steps must be taken for the relief of
the families Of our own soldiers. perhaps for the care of
our own wounded. What bearing has this on the work
that is already in progress.
Grand Forks. for instance, has a society for the pro-
motion Of relief work in France. It's members are rep
resentative men and women who have for many months
been working quietly, but industriously to provide neces-
stiles and comforts which experience has shown can be
advantageously sent from this side. The Herald is in
formed that this work will be continued: and that those
who are engaged in 1t, instead Of abandoning it, and sub
shutting american relief for French relief" expect to
add to the work which they are now doing such other
work as may be called for by the entrance Of the United
States into the war.
That decision appears to be wise. It will probably
be some time before relief work for American soldiers and
families can be organized. 1t will be some time before
there can be any just estimate of what will be necessary.
And II. happily, the war may soon be brought to an
end. there may not be, at any time, real need for any
large measure of relief on this side.
The need In France, on the contrary, is urgent. The.
work OF death among the. French soldiers continues.
Families are being bereaved every day. The section of
French territory which has suffered from German in
vasion has suffered intellectually. It's homes have been
ptllaeed and burned. It's forests, orchards and vineyards
have been destroyed with savage vandalism. Its very
earth has been deliberately rendered incapable Of cult
walton without hercuiean labor, The entrance of America
into the war has in no way mitigated the suYerings or
lessened the needs Of the French people.
The participation Of the United States in the war
has. on the other hand, imposed an added obligation on
us toward the French people. In a very real and prac-
teal sense they are now nghting our battles. Aside en-
tirely from political and territorial aims, the entente
allies and the United States have one common purpose,
which is to render Germany incapable Of becoming again
a menace to the world. Because Of that common pur-
pose. every blow struck against the German forces is a
blow struck in the cause Of the United States. Every
victory gained over Germany tends by just that much
to shorten the war and to lessen the need for the con-
trtbudon Of American forces. And 1t is both humane and
just that. especially during the period Of our preparation
for active warfare, We should contribute what We can
to the aid Of those who are now spending their lives
and their substance in the cause in which We are all
enlisted.
1t is worthy Of note that Great Britain. with four
or hve million men actually under arms, with a burden
of taxation such az she has never before known. and
with her own wounded, bereaved and Impoverished to
care for. is also sending across the channel free-will Of
ferings by the ship load for the relief Of distress among
her neighbors and allies.