Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-10
Postwar Period Critical for Soldiers

n S talk OF peace brought to flood tide the
n outpouring OF subscriptions to the fourth
Liberty loan, SO should the possible speedy
ending OF the war quicken and strengthen
popular support Of the United War Work
campaign, which has as its object tho rails
ing of a fund of 100000. The bene-
ficiares Of the fund will be the Salvation
Army. knights OF Columbus. Young Mems
Christian Association, Young Womans Chris
tian Association, War Camp Community Ser
vice, American Library Association and the
Jewish Welfare Board. Each of these
carnations is devoting its services to the
welfare of Americas armed forces and each
is tried and proven factor in sustaining the
morale and ministering to the physical and
mental comfort of the soldiers in camp and
in field.
Contrary to what may be the popular con-
ceptfon the labors OF these organizations will
not cease when peace comes. be that to-
morrow or next year. In fact, they will
nave only begun, for upon their work dur
ing the months, perhaps years, following the
cessation of hostilities, may depend the flu
ture well-being of millions of young men now
bearing arms for America. Should peace
come to-day it would require year at least,
more likely two years, before rehabilitation
could be completed In other wars, when
armies were smaller, that much time has
elapsed before restoration to a normal peace
basis. The coming rehabilitation even in
two years is predicated upon the assumption
that it will get under way as soon as the
peace terms have been signed. OF this there
is hardly chance. Ending Of the war will
find chaotic conditions in the enemy coun-
tries, in Russia and the provinces which have
been reconquered from the Hun. Unques-
tlonably, large armies will be required for
this police duty during an indefinite period,
and the United States will be expected, and
will wish, to do its share
This will be critical period for American
soldiers. The actual strain OF warfare and
its arduots, exacting duties will be over and
the constant preparation for battle and the
ever-present thought of what 1t may portend
to them will be ended It will be a time
of relaxation in which the morale mlrst be
maintained without the war incentive, and
with the dangers of idleness and alluring
temptation in foreign lands to be combated
To help the American soldiers face these
conditions and overcome them, to bring them
back home stronger mentally morally and
physically, and with broader and saner out
look on life than when they went away to
seek glory for their arms and victory for
democracy is the duty that must be per-
formed by these war-work agencies which
now ask the American people for money
wherewith its accomplishment may be made
possible. Plans FOR the work already have
been made but they cannot be carried out
unless, In token OF their thankfulness, the
ones who have remained at home, safe in
the protection afforded by the soldier boys
who went abroad to fight for them, give
of their means as literally as they can BY
their gifts now they shall know in their
hearts whether or not they are worthy of the
sacrifice Of blood and treasure that has been
made for them