New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20

inCC Oi BTaNaut, SlNtN mics ulSlaul nc may
still be over the bordcr,-one OF the half
million pcuuilcSS runaways poured into liol-
land-in the tiny home of a HanSwcrt
burcher. almost under the caves of stone
town hall designed by medieval artist.
Or possibly he trudgcd back with his aunt
To- their little hamlet in Flanders when the
news had filtered across the Dutch frontier
that its walls were standing.
Perhaps he is one of those in Dinard,
one of the dazcd little ones in wooden shoes
and the picturesque dress of the Flemish.
who with party Of stragglcrS walked and
were partly carried the two hundred miles
into France after the loss Of their parents in
the wild flight before the coutouding armies.
II his refugee party had money enough TO
travel 50 far. he even may be across the
Channel al Dover. FolkcStonc, or the seaside
resort RamSgate.
In any event he is a child ont of the million
homes. deserted in the early days of the
present war in Europe, who, thanks to the
generosity of American childhood and
grown-ups from Maine to California, will
have share of Christmas checr,-pcrhaps
some knitted wriStlets, a Bo-Peep or Tommy
Tucker picture and words in the corner OF
his handkerchief, or a little black dog with
a wrigglv head. There are dolls for the girls,
with shawls and work bags full of pins and
needles: blue bootecS, cidCrdown bonnctS,
flannel skirts. stockings, and warm little
slips for the babies. Nor are the mothers
forgotten, as something IS provided for all
the women in the war zone.
FOR weeks the boys and girls in the coun-
try districts of Belgium have run to the
banks of the canals and stared in amazed
silence at the Aotillas Of targes on their way
10 the American Minister at Brussels. After
they had puzzled ont the large placardS on
the boats stating that the CargocS contained
supplies of food. clothing, and holiday cheer
for them and their ncighbors it seemed like
a Heaven-sent dream, and their faces relaxed
into smiles. Their gratitude found ready
expression as the distribution OF the gifts
was made from door TO door by representa-
tivcs of the Red Cross the latter having
handled this end Of the work in all the regions
affected by the war
Safe conduct and assistance were rem
dercd TO all the shipments by the German
who worked CuCIStICdlN 10 Nlltl tIlO N~'i4.'
waterfronts so that relief supplies could !
directly in the various towns, including Lie
The gifts for the Belgian children finished
mediate lap of their journey to Rotterdam on
ship at the end of November; while those for
in England were taken by train from Falm
first port touched by the American Christ
The presents for France reached Marseillcs o.
her 6: while those for Austria and Germany We
at Genoa four days later. There the Italia
mcnt provided a special train to carry the
northward. Austria having undertaken TO mo-
them along to Germany. The gifts for Monte
Scrvia were the last Of all to be unloadcd, u
the Greek port of Salonica on the sixteenth
they were taken inland by train.
Most remarkable Of all have been the trav
membranes for the women and children /
now finishing the final stages Of their long j
true Santa Claus fashion Nearly all the riN
are at present highways for sledges, and proba