The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1918-07-03
INDIANS HELPING
TO FIGHT GERMANS
ORIGINAL AMERICANS ARE RIGHT
IN THE CONFLICT.

WASHINGTON July 4.-The origi-
nal Americans are in the war to the
limit.
Enlisting in the military services
and the Red Cross with an enthusiasm
unsurpassed by their white brethren
and pouring out their treasure freely
by subscriptions to the Liberty loans,
the Indians are doing their share with
fine courage which gives one more
illustration of the incapacity of the
German mind for computing the bond
between races when engaged in a
fight for freedom.
Subscriptions by Indians to the Lib
erty loans have totalled nearly $13,-
600 900, according to figures complied
by Cato Sells, Commissioner of In
dian Affairs. That is per subscrip-
ton CT about $40 for all Indians in
, the United States Adults and minors
have been about equally represented
among the subscribers.
The number CT Indians in the mill
tary services probably is more than
5000. Mr.. Sells is having prepared
a complete record of their participa-
ton in the geat war. About 1920 of
the total have been indexed and class
flied. showing 1900 in the army, 300
in the navy and 100 in other military
work. Their willingness to bear their
share of the hardships and dangers
| of military life is evidenced by the
unteered for service, while 600 were
drafted probably a greater pecent-
age of volunteerers that can be shown
by any other of the numerous races
/ represented in the United States.
AS a soldier III Indian makes good
with rush. Indian schools, with an
attendance of 10000 annually, have
military drill, almost without excep-
ton and to preliminary training in
military life, the young Indian sol
der adds additionally fine physique.
One Indian school has service flag
with $50 stars, all but Is represent
school has a flag with IT'S stars.
While the young braves are over
seas an enemy whose cruelty is more
refined and deadly than the uncivi-
LIKED Indians ever practiced, the griz-
zled old warriors Of other days, men
who remember when the American
West was only emerging from a Wild
Ferness and the white man still was
regarded as foe, remain on the re-
servations, smoking the pipe of peace
with their white neighbors and
preaching the doctrine of patriotism
to their people. Sons and grandsons
of Chiefs John Grass, Joseph, John
Gall and other Indian leaders are in
the United States army.
Indian women, likewise, are doing
their share by aiding in Red Cross
work. Although a complete vocational
course of four years in nursing is of
comparative recent introduction in
the larger schools in the reservations,
six young women have been accepted
for hospital service aboard and others
are being prepared for similar work.
Indian School papers carry attractive
advertisements for the Red Cross.
One reservation boasts of Red Cross
banner in every home. Saturday after
Moons are devoted by the women to
sewing for army hospitals and the
boys give up their holidays to gather
ing sphagnum moss in the bogs and
marshes for use In surgical pads and
ambulance pillows.
Separate units for InGian nave not
been organized by the army because
Of the desire to have them rub elbows
with fellow citizens and become bet
ter acquainted.
81 hail this growing manifestation
in Indian life as sure bass for the
to which our efforts are directed"