New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-08
christmas Stockings y
Sent to Front Weekly
from London.
AMERICAN WOMEN
WORK FOR TROOPS
France. After 2 Years of War,
Turns to u. s. TO Find Aid
for Wounded.
By ARTHUR s. DRAPER.


don. men and women work from esrly
-orning till late evening. day in and
ssy out. Private automobiles, taxicabs,
rotor lor-es and horse vehicles draw
10 70 its entrance. almost hidden from
view by parcels. packages. bales and
crates. Rich and poor squeeze their
Way into the entrance hall. and their
contributions are received with equal
sppreeiatiOn.
Within you feel at once a spirit Of
furious haste. a desire 70 make every
moment count You are ushered into a
room on the first foor-if person can
be ushered through a narrow lane of
boxes head high. There you meet the
busiest person in the house, but Wis
eomtesse de Ia Panouse is never too
busy 10 tell Of the work and needs of
the London Committee Of the French
Red Cross, Of which she is the presi-
dent
Before J met her was told she was
wonderful organizer. Her big staff,
which gives its services voluntarily,
looks to her to solve all the perplexi-
ties which constantly arise. But al
most the first word she said to me was
the wish that she had a business train
ing 90 prepare herself for her task.
"The need is so great; there is so
much 20 do. I always feel we are
falling behind" she said. America hss
always been so kind and friendly TO
US We seem 20 have a real under
standing ] know how much Americans
have done for the poor Belgians and
how generous they have been TO other
unfor,lnatcS who have suffered
through this terrible war. We have
good reason right here TO appreciate
their kindness and generosity, for
many Of the most active members OF
the London Committee are Americans.
The Duchess of Marlborough and the
Countess Of Granard have helped US
generously.
Out our needs are great. and il the
people in the United States really ap-
preciated them | am sure they would
consider 10 a privilege 10 assist US in
bringing comfort 10 the wounded
French soldiers"
Supplying the Poilu.
The London Committee works with
rather than through, the Croix Rouge
Irancaise. and thus there is no bar
rier between IL and the wounded
Yoilu. As every one knows. the full
force of the storm of 1914 broke over
France Her resources have been
taxed 10 the utmost No task has
been harder than the caring for her
wounded. Drugs, dressings, bedding,
clothing and hospital supplies we're
needed from the beginning in unprece-
denied volume Germany had spent
years in preparation; France was
caught of her guard
France stopped the avalanche, but
she was sorely bruised. And so the
london Committee Of the French Red
Cross came into being and has been
busy forwarding goods and hospital
upplies TO France. Brltons still con
tribute literally, but, as the war ad-
varces, the London Committee has
.urned 10 America.
From headquarters here more than
thousand bales of goods. containing
garments. drugs. surgical instruments
and even crutches, are dispatched 10
France each week. The committee
conducts a registration where tuliy
trained British nurses and probation
ors are selected and allocated. HELP
has been given through the committee
N nearly 200 French hospitals, many
Of which have been equipped with y
,qv installations. Ten specially con
s-ructed automobiles for N-ray WORK
near the front have been sent OUT
FORTY chains douches." which provide
hot baths for 10000 soldiers daily,
have been supplied and nearly 2oO
motor cars and ambulances have been
contributed.
When Germany occupied the north
orn provinces Of France she dealt the
country terrific economic blow. Here
,re the great manufacturing centres
and with them I'm the enemy's hands
.the invader cut of her richest indus
+r.al provinces and throttled their out,
Nut. Is il any wonder the French Red
Cross is now, after nearly TWO years
seeking assistance from without
Perhaps women stu crochet
"throws' and embroider doilles' put
not in this part Of the world, where
knitting needles click at every gamer
ing Of women as they fashlon tne zoe
o. sock or the thumb OF a glove. ana
so IL is only natural that the LONDON
Committee should have a large "orH-
room. where English and Frehch
women are busy six days OF me WeeH
making shirts, socks, handKerchie4s'
muflers and pajamas; ,l
sIf YOU know any ladies who would
sew for US. please tell them we heeu
them" said Viscomtesse de la Panouse
Christmas Stockings at the 'front.'
Since November. 1914, the committee
has sent 10000 kit bags 20 French sol.
diers. Imagine the keen excitement oil
the poilu who sticks his hand INTO one
Of these bags. just as we did on Cnrlst-
mas morning when we found our ouie-
ing stockings dangling IN front OF the
fireplace. He pulls out a pencil a
razor. a cake Of soap, a writing pau
dozen things Of use to him. IN nou-
ern warfare the care OF a soldler Goes
not begin when piece OF shrapnel
ric-ccs MS leg or a bullet skaters his
arm: IL Is lust as necessary TO cater
10 his shirts as il is 20 fll his stomach
4 CHEEKY soldier is worth two broken
in spirit. and that is why the LONDON
Committee is managing twenty-five
canteens i'm various parts OF rance
Here wounded and weary men are
served with refreshing and SUSTAINING
drinks and light rations. These, estab-
lshments have proved extremely sue
cossful, and there is real need ioi
many more Of them. Another OF Us
activities is the supplying OF freheh
prisoners with parcels containing cardl-
can Jacket, vest, pants, SOCKS hahuAcr'
chiefs, towels and soap,
While the war lasts the work OF me
French Red Cross must keep space: IL
needs help now more than ever oeIo.ei
fully acknowledge all contributions