The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-07
Mile. Jeanne Perichon.

but must commence immediately. as
the invaders withdraw milo by mile.
We cannot AFFORD to lose any time in
building up again our various national
means Of livelihood. Surely our refu-
gees cannot accept the hospitality OF
our great neighbors Themselves war
worn-any longer than is absolutely
necessary. The more YOU will aid ms
10 begin reconstruction In Belgium the
more YOU will shorten the time of our
dependence on charity.
The aides Of New York whom Il
mas been given me to meet are most
KIND and helpful To me. 4lrs. Il. T..
l.ounsbery OF II East Fifty-secoud
street. Manhattan. has offered 10 re-
ceiVe IN my name all Contributions
that may be offered. while shall
travel from city to city through the
United States on my quest for re-
construction funds. Another lady has
put her mansion at my dispusal-the
most beautiful one in New York.
am told--for my sale of laces for the
benefit Of the Belgian lace workers
| have brought a truikful of those
lovely bits Of haudicraft which
american women know 50 well to
appreciate.
! The lace industry IS doomed to
/ die out in Belgium after his war II
the workers are not rescued. Let me
explain briefly.
Lace is o made in factories.
but in private homes. a little also in
converts. and by far the greater part
, ~ al tho r.,I H,,. l.. N. ..--tt..
markets comes from Belgium. The
workers are mostly ountr women.
Their men ok attend to the land.
while they take care of house, beasts
and fowls. In their spare time, n
few hours every day. they bend over
their 'Carreau' making those cX-
QuiSite visps. the art of which has
come down 10 them by tradition.
Thereby they earn IN average OF ten
cents a day-just enough 10 buy the
groceries and other neccssarlcs which
the farm does not yield.
so II was before the war. but
now? When they return to their
land they will find ruins and waste.
The building up viii chiefly rest on
their shoulders. for the men will he
mostly dead or MANNED. They will
have to tend the land as well as the
house and the yard. and work double
10 provide for their incapacltated hus-
bands, sons and brothers, Where will
they find time to make lace, and
where will they get the 10 cents a
day to buy coffee, sugar and such
things with? II these women are not
helped. the lace industry Will be dead
in a few years, the tradition lost.
Surely there are enough wealthy
women in America who, II for no
other reason than gratitude to those
who have fashioned their most deli
cate adornments, will want to come
to their aid,
Then there is our dear little Prin-
cess Marie-Jose. who has given away
all she had, eve TO her toys, for
whom | am collecting coins and bills
from American children for her pri-
yate charities TO Belgian children
Any contribution accompanied by an
autographed photograph of the little
giver and sent TO me In care or Mrs
Lounsbery will be gratefully cknow
edged. / am going to have all tho
pictures gathered In an album, for
which a famous New York artist has
promised to paint n cover, and upor
my return to Europe ! shall present
both album and purse TO the Belgian
peoples little idol, Princess Marie
Jose, in the name OF the American
children"
Nine. de IIcmptlnnc's handsom'
, face was all aglow M che pictured th'
delight OF the 2 year old princess
over the gift, and also the JOY or The
children at contributing to the roya
: child's charities.
A young girl entered the room u
the Plaza whore the Countess II stay
ing for the present and an introduc
ton followed:
. This In u little Belgian heroine
said Nine. de Hemptinne, mile
|, | Jeanne Perichon. She In the on''