Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-03-22
MIR, and mrs. norton
SAIL FOR FRANCE
INTERESTING LETTER WRITTEN
ON THE EVE OF THEIR
DEPARTURE.
They Plan TO SEE BELGIAN KING
May Remain and Continue Work in
Belgium after the
War.
London February 90

War.
London. February 80, 1916.
Tomcrrcw we leave fer the front.
| This is thu fconsummation of many
months of hoping and planning. Not
that we expect to remain on the otr-
er side Of the channel for mere than
a month, for we have found that the
special work for which we believe
we were sent over, namely the work
with the Belgian soldier cen only be
carried on from London, although we
are expecting to spend some further
| tine in France next summer.
But this trip Of month to the
front, is largely to be a trip cs
sightseeing, that is for. the purpose
Of viewing conditions. first hand, so
that our gifts and efforts for the Bel
gians may be more intelligently rep
resented to those whom We shall seek
to interest. For we can never he
content to minister alcne to the souls
Of these stricken people, although
there has never been such an cppor-
tunity and so fruitful response, os
We are finding at this time of stress,
among these people.
But we are seeking to accomplish
as we'll, something for the we'll be-
ing and comforts of these civilians
and soldiers, although Of course we
cannot ask neutrals to contribute to
the comfort of any soldiers, but are
quite free to seek help for them over
here. For example, we know man
here in England, a woolen manufac-
f,1r yho Sc -
Of money at the present time by
manufacturing woolen puttees. or
woolen leggings for the soldiers They
are of the highest excellence and all
the soldiers seek them, hut they are
very expensive for the average
soldier, costing s-6, about $500.
I This gentleman's name is Fox. and
as We know him personally. I lad the
courage to write him the other day
for a contribution for my Belgian
soldiers. and received half dozen
pairs Of puttees. Also the other day
while making a small purchase. in a
confectioners shop. I discovered that
contributions were received there for
the Belgians, and before I left, they
had given me guinea to help with
cur special labors in their behalf 81. 4.
Already we have had given us a
HhhNge bundle OF q muffl flers, gloves.
4Wrisa hand u knitted :. which
I'VE shall llstakeis u to the front an,
sspeysonaH r3hgt te.s Sss5s:s55 sssS
4 But the thing 81, hicna We are most
interested, isy tbn housing q refugees
lin, Belgium after the war: For this
purpose, even now, the BROTHERHOOD
Eof England are laying their plans. and
I'VE desire to- cooperate with, them. an.
iare hoping to enlist the sympathies o.
/ american friends. Apropos Of this
.Nr. Hoover. American head OF the
iBe4gian relief, here in London. I'm an
interview we had with him, told us
that America had not done for the
Belgians nearly what they have been
Esupposed to do, in fact, had sadly fal-
len down on the proposition. Eng
| land proportionately has done far
more. in addition to all her other
4bufd ems; 'tFsa. l.. 5ss-, fS - ~ 's.;vv':
{ g. .Thes;;1 plan'>s,of the. Brotherboods ydf
fEngland:& is ito put up. temp ofary
houses in Belgium after the war.
where the refugees, returning to their
ruined homes. may dwell while en-
gagged in the task Of rebuilding their
ruined properties. OF course we see
in aiding in this work. a wonderful op-
portunity to reach in these tempor-
ary structures, these refugees, with
the Gospel. Our boys are even now
Ipleading with US to come to Belgium
after the war, and make permanent
what has been begun so wondrously
in the ranks of the army, the quick
ened spiritual interest. and seeking
en- now planning for the work which
after "od. 30 We are hoping and ev-
we hope to Go in that H't!e country
after the war.
This work of ours with the Bel
gian soldiers. has brought us in touch
with many organizations in London.
working along similar lines. 1t also
enabled ns to meet M. and Nine.
Van der Velde; he is the Belgian
Minister of State. and probably their
leading statesman. Madame Van der
Velde was much interested in our
work, and personally undertook to Sc
euro for us this visit to the front
which is almost an impossible thing
to compass, so hedg.d about with diff
ficulties is it. We lad spoken to
many other Officials concerning it, but
it seemed an almost impossible permits
sion to secure, and only our deep in
terest in these men, led Madame Van
der Velde to secure for us. thronch
her husband the permission from the
Belgian War Minister.
She has most kindly given us let
ters to those highest in authority in
La Panne, where reside the King and
Queen. and we are hoping tn have
interviews with their Majesties, al
though it is most difficult, and we
may not be successful in realizing ou1
desires. -
Also we shall expect to visit the
trenches and see for ourselves what
modern warfare is like. if possible we
hope to visit the first line Of trenches
although this may not be permitted.
In any case, l am sure that upon
my return, shall have many inter-
esting things of which to write you.
1t is quite useless to write from the
| front. So shall wait until my return,
and reconstruct the story from my
notes. But please don't build your
hopes too high, for there are many
/ things which, if we see. should not
! be at liberty to write about nor
; should I wish to, but there will be
other most interesting things I am
sure, and I shall garner all the i'm
pressions l can. to pass you on to