New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-14

may combine to make Bill Jones poor
and worried soldier.
1t is necessary, therefore, if only
for the sake of that intangible thing
we call morale, that Bill Jones and all
his fellows have got to be kept in a
good and contented frame of mind
about the folks at home. They have
got to know that democracy is work
ing right "back there" before their
urge to fight for it is powerful and
unqualified. They have got to have
men TO talk to about it. Therefore the
department OF civilian relief has rep
resentativc in every camp. But talking
alone won't do the job. Talk is more
than worthless if it doesn't cventuatc
in action. And action comes through
the growing system Of civilian relief
which the Red Cross is organizing in
every state in the country. 1t must be
the right kind of action. intelligent,
wise, genuine in its sympathics and
interest. kindly-ncver superficial nor
merely sentimental. 1t is for that ren
son that the Red Cross has set about
to train hundreds of people for an in
telligent application OF civilian relief.
1t is one Of the startling facts OF
war that it is entirely possible for the
year 1918 to bring more CIVILIAN deaths
in the United States than in the large
n, "a
before the year is over.
The reasons are not far to seek War
takes the doctors to the camps, turns
The attention of the sanitary expert
from the city to the camp. Cities and
states t2rn over their energies to the
activities of war rather than those Of
peace. Women go into industry, some
times under conditions not conducive
to health. Children are neglected,
there is privaton in families through
rising prices and the absence of one
of the breadwinners. Child labor, de-
ilnquency. lowered standard of cdu-
cation-all these result in time when
the community welfare Of the nation
ought to be higher than ever before.
And the results of this are not tenn
porary. The victories or defeats of
wars may be counted years later in
the quality Of men and women who
survive to carry on a national hcri-
tagc.
The part the Red Cross must play in
the reconstruction Of the United States
that emerges from this war, will not be
moons iderable. Bot it is part that
must be played now and every day from
now. 1t is not a role of long waiting in
. the wings, with a few hours of action
on the stage. What even Congress it.
self has net seemed yet to understand
is that reconstruction begins when the
first bugle of war is blown. War picks
I'D a nation and shakes it hard. Recon
struction means a revision OF attitudes.
characterization of standards, or it
reans nothing. And il the United
States is 10 come out Of war spiritually
able to solve the new problems Of HUI
man organization that the wars end
will present it must be kept physically
and spiritually alive and able during
the period Ok the light.
The test Of all this will be when tn.
fighters come home. Returning from a
life full of cXcitements. living whore
obedience is the chief service and
initiative not emphasized, the soldier
must find a home that has every induce
ment for his return to normal life be-
fore his metamorphosis from fighter to
worker can be successfully completed
tegrated, if the family morale is
broken, tie pretty wife he left is faded,
and every prospect discouraging, he
ray become embittercd or discouraged.
Either way the desire to reassume the
normal relationships OF life will sub
side quickly and the nation will face
the spectacle of an army Of soldiers
who refuse to take up the burden CT
living. The social dangers involved are
not inconsiderable. Even radicals who
plan a new version OF society and loo,,
to find the soldier fine material fer the
fame Of revolt would find that kind Of
soldier too fimsy for the sterner work
Of actual refrigeration that any society
demands sooner or later.
The work of Red Cross civilian relief
is plain, therefore, and undisguised.
ut means the saving to the nation Of
the social consequences of war" said
Frank Persons. at viii fit men for
the resumption of civilian life and thus
VIII be translated into permanent ad-
vantage for the nation. But there are
other consequences even greater from
the standpoint Of its spiritual meaning
TO America. II viii awaken a national
spirit of social responsibility. And ont
OF war will come not new social prob
lem tor America. but d new social force
IN working ont its destinies."
TIL T.