Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-03-21

0eM p&G1Wv@y TsW PeSrS MSW
that there il a sssisty IN AMsris&
called the Red Star, which nsesAs the
same thing 10 animals as tho Red
Cross aseg to man. In France a
similar organization is designed as
the Blue Cross. A very eomprehen-
siye article by Mrs. Euphistons Matt
land, Secretary Of the Red Star So
ciety in New York, recently appeared
in the New York Times concerning
the humanitarian work that is being
done for horses and dogs in war ser
vice and will beinteresting to many of
our readers. She writes:
Many a Blue Cross dog has his
favorite master in the regiment, and
when this master-comrade is reported
missing, when he fails 10 return to
his place in the trenches or behind
the lines, the grief of his favorite
dog is at once apparent. Frequently
it is shown by the dogs fasting,
melancholy, and even sElkiness. He
may 20 about his duties stoically,
searching out the wounded on the
battlefield, but his eyes are always
eagerally looking among the dead and
dying for the man he loves-the man
/ who will never come back, the man he
will never forget.
All Of the Allies except England
are using dogs on tbs battlefelds
/ Germany. also uses them. The
morality among the animals is great
TO the cavalry officers and mef
nothing is so horrible as the agony Of
5he dogs and horses as they wait on
the battledelds or by roadsides for the
hand that viii give them ethel ala Of
merciful dispatch from their suffer
ings.
The knowledge Of the importance
4 Of horses ard dogs in war and O
their need for human help was res
ponsible for the organization Of "a,
Blue Cross in 1912. The society wa.
at once recognized by the French
Minister of War. Later, sole author
I ity was given to this organization tt
care for the war dogs and horses il
the kennels and hospitals of France
The society was headedby some of th'
most prominent men and women il
England, with Lady Smith-Dorien a!
head Of the fund. The work has con
4;n,7ad o,9 ,,,,,oL 10 L,o;Y,cc rlr.,n ,,o1ry h,
the society all along the Western
front. Russia cares for her owl
dogs, but Italy has recently enlisted
the services of the Blue Cross. Grea
work is being done in Saloniki, t,
which we recently sent a magnifi
cent horse ambulance. Besides this
we have been asked to work with tn
American Expeditionary Force il
France.
"The examination Of the dogs tina
are recruited is made by traine,
specialists Of the Blue Cross. TIL
animals are tested as to health, en-
durance ana intelligence. None bu
healthy, intelligent, quick, and even
tempered dogs are admitted into ser
vice. They are then taken to train
ing stations where for months the
undergo severe discipline and train
ing. They are taught to love thei
friends, the Allies, and to know an
hate German uniform; to act as dis
patch carriers, sentinels, prison an
munition guards, as conveys of SINAI
vehicles, and to work with the San
) itary Corps and first-aid units. TIL
dogs are assigned to the branch 0
the service to which they are bes
adapted.
"These animals after finishing
their course in training, usually hav
absolutely no fear en- the battle
zelda They are rapid and cage
| workers. Cases of eowardice ant
lack Of tr@tuorthinsss are a. rare, /