The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-13
INDIANS ARE Mt
WAR TOTHE LIMIT
OVER 5000 Are
IN The SERVICE
While W arriors Are
Abroad, Women Are g.,
Knitting For r. G.

Washington, July 18.-The original
Americans are in the war to the
limit.
Enlisting in the military services
and the Red Cross with an enthus- I
iasm unsurpassed by their white
brethren and pouring out their
treasure freely by subscriptions to
the Liberty loans, the Indians are
doing their share with a fine cour=
age which gives one more illustra-
ton Of the incapacity Of the German
mind for computing the bond be-
tween races when engaged in q,
fight for freedom. \
Subscriptions by Indians to the
Liberty loans have totalled nearly
$4,000, 900. according to figures COM
piled by Cato Sells. commissioner
Of Indian affairs. That Is a per
capita subscription of about $40 for
all Indians in the United States.
Adults and minors have been about
equally represented among the sub%
sCribers.
Over 5000 Reds In. f.
The number Of Indians in the MILL
tary services probably is more than
5000. Mr.. Sells is preparing a conn
plete record Of their participation in
the great war. About 1000 OF the
total have been indeXed and classf-
fled. showing 1900 in the army, 300
in the navy and 100 in other mill
tary work. Their Willingness to bear.
their share of the hardships and
dangers of military life is evidenced
by the fact that 1000 Of those classi-
fled volunteered for service. while
900 were drafted-probabIy a greater
percentage of volunteers than can
be shown by any other of the num-
erous races represented in the Unit
ed States.
AS a soldier the Indian makes
good with a rush. Indian schools
with an attendance Of 10000 annual
ly. have military drill. almost with
out exception and to preliminary
training in military life, the young
Indian solder adds additionally fine
physique. One Indian school has a
service flag with $50 stars, all but
Is representing volunteer enlist
ments. Another school has a. flag
with ITS stars.
While the young braves are over=
seas fighting an enemy whose cruel
tv is. more refined and deadly than
the uncivilized Indians ever DEagz
tiCed. the griZzled old warriors 9F
other days. men who remember when
the American west was only ems
ing from a wilderness and the Waits
man still was regarded as a foe Iz
main on the reservations. smoking
the pipe Of peace with their mash
bors and preaching the doctrine
patriotism to their people. Sorg &
grandsUns of Chiefs John Grass,
seDh. John Gall and other Eu5
leaders are in the United Ea
army.
Women Aid in Red Gross.
Indian women. likewise. are doing
their share by aiding in Red GEg
work. Although a complete 7se44+
tiOnal course OF four years IL BGrs7
ing is of comparative recent -zEu
duCtion in the larger schools in the
reservations, six young women have
been accepted for hospital service
abroad and others are being pre-
pared for similar work. Indian
school papers carry attractive adj
Vertisements for the Red Cross. One
reservation boasts of a Red Cross !
banner in every home. Saturday.
afternoons are devoted by the wom- J
en- to sewing for army hospitals and |
the boys give up their holidays TO
gathering sphagnum moss in the
Dogs and marshes for use in sur
gical pads and ambulance pillows.
Separate units for Indians have
not been organized by the army be-
cause of the desire to have them
rub elbows with fellow citizens and
become better acquainted.
Wonderful and spontaneous fl
deity to the highest welfare to the /
nation" Is the way Commissioner |
Sells describes the response to the /
Indian to his cOuntry's need.
Il hail this growing manifestation
in Indian life as a sure basis for the
strong and trustworthy citizenship !
to which our efforts are directed"