Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-15
ONCE MORE ON THE WAR-PATH

THE Indian is on the war path"
writes Rev. Elmer E. Highley, ID. D.,
in the Pittsburg Christian Advocate,
and continues: THE various canton
ments Of the country will shortly re-
ceive an acquisition of twenty eight
thousand full blooded American In
dams. There are at present more than
five thousand in the service of Uncle
Fam, and approximately seven thous-
and more are fighting under the coIors
of Great Britain. With the new acqui-
sition a number equal to eight percent
of the entire Indian population-men,
women and children-wiIl have donned
the khaki, eighty-five per cent of whom
were volunteers. Many of the In
dians now serving in the field are
commissioned officers, ranking as high
as majors. Some of the Indian lads
whose fathers gave the white man the
canoe along with many other distinc-
lively Indian gifts are serving in the
navy and are traversing the waves of
Gitche Ounce in Uncle Sans gia~s
steel ships. Others of the Indian lads
are in the department Of aviation, guild
ing the war eagles. Surely the show
ing made by the Indians in helping to
meet the present war emergencies is
one Of which the first American" may
well be proud.
In the purchase of Liberty Bonds and
in their contributions to the Red Cross
and the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation and other allied war interests,
the Indians have been most responsive.
Their subscriptions to the first issue
of the Liberty Bonds amounted to 81,
GOT $50; to the second issue $4,382,750,
making a total to the two issues of
nearly $40, 900 Well may Mr. Sells,
commissioner of Indian affairs, say:
Upon any fair basis OF comparison
such an expression Of patriotic al1egi-
ance of the Indian race must be as
surprising as it is gratifying. In all
these transactions | have been aln2:3t
amazed by the wonderful and sponta-
neous fidelity of the Indian to the high
est welfare of the nation"
The emergency appeal made by Uncle
Sam for more extensive planting and
The increase of farm products has been
met with a patriotic response on the
part OF the Indian. Last year some
of the reservations increased their out
put by fifty per cent. This year will
witness more intensive farming among
them than ever before.
Nor have the Indian women failed to
respond to the patriotic needs OF the
country occasioned by the war. AS
workers for the Red Cross they have
and are doing their bit" Mrs Sarah
Valandrc. an Indian women at Rose
Bud, is believed to hold the record for
quick work in knitting q soldier sweat
err. She began at p. m, and by 1880
the same evening had the garment
completed, Nor was it case of
haste made waste, for the work upon
the garment was pronounced first class.
The Rose Bud chapter of the Red
Cross turned in thirty-four sweaters
the first half of January, Ii the whole
country had done as well in proportion
to population and membership the half
million sweaters recently called for by
the Red Cross would have been ready
in five days.
Yes Uncle Sam may well be proud
of his Indian lads and the splendid
backing which they are receiving from
the home folks of the race. The pat
riotisrn of the Red Man may not be
called in question
But what Z the Indian when tits
over over there?s What of the Indian
Johnny when he comes marching
home again ?" The world war has
brought a great OPP ortunity to the In
dams. Tt has given them something
to think about besides their historical
grievances and tribal hatred, They
are developing an international mind.
Especially will this be true of the In
dian boys who see service abroad. The
Honorable Cato Sells writes Il have
not the least misgivings about the In
dams mart in this war He will step