Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-05
American Indians
Are in World War
to Uttermost Limit

Washington. July S.-The original
Americans are in the war to the limit.
Enlisting in the military services
and the Red Cross with an euthus-
iasm unsurpassed by their white breth-
rem and pouring out their treasure
freely by subscriptions 10 the liberty
loans. the Indians are doing their
share with a fine courage which gives
one more illustration of the incapac-
ity Of the German mind for comput-
ing the bond between races when en-
gagged in a fight for freedom.
descriptions by Indians TO the lib
erty loans have totalled nearly sl3,-
900. 900. according to figures compiled
by Cato Sells. commissioner OF Indian
affairs That is a per capita subscrip-
tion of about $40 for all Indians in the
United States. Adults and minors
have been about equally represented
among the subscribers.
The number of Indians in the mill
tary services probably is more than
700 Mr. Sells is having prepared
complete record of their participation
in the great war. About 2,200 Of the
showing 1900 in the army. 500 in the
navy and 100 in other military work.
Their willingness TO bear their share Of
the hardships and dangers Of mill
tary life is evidenced by the fact that
100 Of those classified volunteered
Tor service. while 500 were drafted
probably a greater percentage Of vol
unteers that can be shown by any
other Of the numerous races repre-
sented in the United states.
AS a soldier the Indian makes good
with a 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 soldier
adds additionally fine physique. One
Indian school has a service flag with
$50 stars. all but fifteen representing
volunteer enlistments. Another school
mas a flag wifi rs stars.
While the Young braves are over
seas fighting an enemy whose c>S.elty is
more refined and deadly than the un-
civilized Indians ever practiced. the
grizzled old warriors of other days,
men who remember when the Amer
lean west was only emerging from
wilderness and the white man still
was regarded as a foe, remain on the
reservations smoking the pie Of peace
with their white neighbors and preach
ing the doctrine of patriotism TO their
people. Sons and grandsons Of Chiefs
John Grass. Joseph, John Call and
other Indian leaders are in the United
States army.
Indian women, likewise. are doing
their share by aiding in Red Cross
work. Altho 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 abroad and others are
being prepared for similar work. In
dian school papers carry attractive ad-
vertisements for the Red Cross. One
reservation boasts OF a Red Cross
banner in every home. Saturday aft
| ernoons are devoted by the women to
sewing for army hospitals and the
boys give up their holidays to gather
| ing sphagnum moss in the boys and
| marshes for use in surgical pads and
ambulance pillows.
Separate units for Indians have not
been organized by the army because
of the desire to have them rub elbows
with fellow citizens and become better
acquainted.
Wonderful and spontaneous fidelity
to the highest welfare Of the nation"
| is the way Commissioner Sells de-
| scr;oes the response Of the Indian 70
| his countryis need.
"I hail this growing manife sta ion
| in indian life as sure OASIS TOR int
strong and trustworthy citizenship TO
which our efforts are directed"