The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-07

Of Bngland's fighting men. They are the |
American wives Of English nOblemen-
duchesses. countesses. baronesses, &c.
with the Duchess of Marlborough, |
who was Miss Consuelo Vanderbilt as
chairman they have got together to Or
ganize a war relief enterprise, and are
already doing wonderful things. First
and foremos. they have started and
are running a great hospital at Pegn-
ton. in the south of England.
The president Of the organization is
Lady Paget who once upon time was
Miss Minnie Stevens Of New York
daughter of that famous Mrs. Paran
Stevens who was for many years So
cial leader in the metropolis.
The chairman of the hospital COM
mit,ce is Lady Randolph Churchill She
was before she married Lord Randolph
Churchill Miss Jennie Jerome daugh-
ter Of that Leonard jerome, who a gem
Grafton ago was celebrity in New
Yorll-the beau ideal Of the man about
town and the special chum Of William
r. Travers, the wit, and Of the elder
Sothern. equally famous FOR his acting
uf Lord DuHdrcdry and for his prac-
teal jokes at the expense VI his friends
Others associated with the manage
ment Of the hospital are the Duchess Of
Roxburghe. vho was Miss May Goelet
Lady Camoys, who was Miss Mildred
Sherman and the Countess of Granard,
wife Of King Georges Master of Horse,
who was Miss Beatrice Mills daughter
Of ogden Mills.
All II these American women-with
the exception Of Lady Randolph
Churchill. whose father was only mod
er1tey well off as wealth Is considered
wadays-brough. great fortunes to
their titled husbands Now they are
dipping deep into their purses to show
as they have expressed ii, their sym
PATTY with Great Britain In her hour
Of trial"
wish their money hey have started
what they call the American women's
war relief fund, out Of which the
Peignton hospital. as well az other en-
terprises, is maintained
The house occupied 10y the hospt al
at Pelgnton is one Of the finest man
slons in England Before the war be-
gan II was the residence Of "A very
wealthy American, T.. Paris Singer.
whose money was originally derived
from sewing machines.
The Singer mansion at Peignton
stands on an elevation, surrounded by
magnificent and spacious white marble
terraces, with extensive gardens Its
situation Is the most healthful imaG-
Unable To-day this PALACE, which cost
in the neighborhood of 81 500 600, is con-
verified into a completely equipped SUR
gical h spital. with go beds and every
appliance known to medical science.
There liz even an operating theatre,
taking the place Of what was until re-
Gently a drawing room. Every rug and
every yard Of drapery mas been removed
from the house lest such furnishings
should harbor germs. and practically
every stick Of the costly furniture has
been taken away.
The mansion thus transform Il is
called to-day the American Women's
III spital and fr m stam on the roof
flies the flag OF the American Red Cross.
From another stan floats the Stars and
Stripes.
In the management Of this establish
ment. which in peace times bore the
name Of Oldway House, the women are
working in cooperation with the British
Red Cross, and II has been formally ac-
cepted as a military hospital by the
War Office
Another branch Of the work of the
American women's War Relief Fund Is
the making Of clothing for British SOL
diers and sailors. II employs, at sewing
work and at good wages, the wives Of
soldiers and other women who find
themselves destitute by reason of the
war FNOr this purpose persons SYM
pathizing with the enterprise have
placed at the disposal Of the fund ade-
quate quarters in the heart of London
free Of rent.
In one such workroom sixty women
who would otherwise be without employ
ment or means Of subsistence are busly
engaged with needles and sewing ma
chimes, and to supply them with food a
kitchen is established on the premises,
providing an excellent dinner for two
pence -four cents) with free tea.
Another workroom has been opened in
Isington. which is one OF the poorest
quarters OF London, and all Of the work
rooms are managed in connection with
the Queens Central Committee OF
Women's Employment.
The fund planned 10 give a fully
equipped hospital ship to the War OF
ncc. But Lord Kitchener. when the idea
was communicated TO him, said that he
would rather have some motor am
balances for conveying wounded SOL
diers from the firing line to the field
hospitals. AS a matter Of course the
plan was changed thereupon and the
women used the money to purchase sew
eral ambulances, each of them mounted
on a 80 horse power chassis and fitted
with every modern contrivance for the
comfort of disabled fightingmen. Each
of these vehicles has room for two hos
pital attendants and four stretchers, oil
will accommodate two stretchers and six
men who are able tn sit M
The Countess OF Suffolk is another
American woman Of English title whC
~ taking an active interest in the wal
work. Before her marriage she wa,
Miss Daisy Letter, a sister of JOSEPH
Letter and daughter OF Levi u. Letter
of Chicago and Washington.
Meanwhile on this side Of the waite
many women OF wealth and social prom
inence are entering upon the same kint
OF work with extraordinary enthusiasm
Mrs Clifford Pinchot, but recently
bride, has gone abroad to join her sis
ter-in-law, Lady Alan tombstone, in tn
organization of a field hospital Lad!
Alan tombstone Is Mr. pinChOt's sistc