The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-20

incident to army life. must be COM
pated. They may be conquered both
to preserve our own troops serving
abroad and to aid our allies. To the
degree in which we are successful in
conserving man power we shall help
to win the war.
The Red Cross does not aim to
reconstruct devastated villages. But
we do feel that 1t is a part of Ameri-
cas- duty to contribute toward the
temporary housing of the thousands
of homeless, and to aid and encourage
them In reestablishing their lives by
such assistance as we can give. We
want to help them with implements,
with materials, with expert services,
with everything that we can that will
help to put these valiant peoples back
on their feet.
We are sending our troops to the
front to fight. but how long will 1t
be before "the American section of
the western front" will compare in a
creditable degree with that Of the
sections held today by other nations?
Pending the arrival of our army in
suossA forces shall we not Immediately
stretch a hand to encourage and stim-
ulate those who are fighting valisntly
for our own as well as their own?
Should Aid Russia.
To tbis point have had in mind
only France. What about Russia with
1000 miles Of battle front and with
only 5000 ambulances, as compared
with the western battle front 400
miles long and with $4,000 an.bu-
!ances? We should send TO Russia
thousands of ambulances with their
personnel. and with as many doctors
and nurses as we can spare from this
country. What evidence will have
been furnished to Russia that the
United States is her ally In this war
IL she has nothing more substantial
than our frequently expressed kindly
The way to hearten and
encourage Russia is for the American
Red Cross to extend to her. without
delay, practical helping hand. 1t
Is my opinion that we of the United
States can not justify ourselves in the
ewes hx,
Russia that We are her ally when we
are In position to join hearts with her
through the medium Of a national
volunteer organization, even though
we can not at this time join arms with
her.
A representative of the Queen of
Roumania called upon us last week
asking for aid, and when ! requested
a list OF the most pressing needs of
that stricken people the reply was:
Anything" everything" This rath-
er confirmed an official request to us
to send at once 100 doctors. the neces-
sary medical supplies to Roumania to
Arrest an epidemic We can reach Rou-
mania effectively only through Rus
sia. Can we send substantial aid
through stricken Russia to stricken
Roumania with none for Russia her.
self?
So 1t is all along the line in she
Balkans and in other small countries.
Are they to know by personal contact
and by succor that we are in this
war and that We recognize that they
are fighting our battles, or are they
merely to receive informatioM to that
effect through the press?
Many have urged that the Red
cross delay the movement for secur-
ing a large fund, as the time for CIV
ing is most inopportunc. My rcply
has been that 1t is not more inoppor-
tune than the war itself and that
nothing will be opportune until this
war Is won by us. A particular case
or urgency. aside from the general
distress. is that our organization must
be perfected and our supplies ship
ped to Russia and the East at once il
they are to arrive before winter shpl.
have closed the ports.
What is going to be done with
800. 900. 900?
Perhaps the foregoing will give
some idea of whGt the war council
plans to do with the money.
"In addition. the question is asked
by some, 'Why does not the govern
ment do this work? ?" The answer -
that i'm tho main by its very nature
such work can not be administered by
n government Due to the recognition
OF that fact the Red Cross under the
Geneva charter became the recognized
N To-. s,,tA a