The Washington times., 1917-05-30
OUAKERS TO WORK
BEHIND FIRING Line
Plan to Help RehabiEtatt
Devastated Territory.
500 TO Be SENT TO FRANCE
Mercy Unit VIII Be Taught Recon
struetiOn Work First.

NEW YORK, May s0-AIthough
they will neither take up arms nor
make ammunition nor participate IN
any way in the destructive aspects OF
warfare, the ouakers assembled at
the meeting Of the Religious Society
OF Friends. at the Friends meeting
house. decided yesterday to organizs
unit Of 500 ouakers to 90 abroad
and assist their French and English
brethren In restoring devastated
homes behind the hghting line In
France. As the German lines retire,
the Quakers intend to reclaim the
ruined, territory. bit by bit; build
great numbers OF portable houses. and
provide food. shelter. and clothing to
the returning refugees.
The committee appointsd TO or
ganize the American Quaker unit con
sists OF Prof. Rufus NJ Jones. Of
Haverford College: DR.. Leroy Mercer.
OF swarthmore College, and Vincent
d. Nicholson, OF this city. The men
and women who volunteer for this
unit Will begin training at once At
Haverford. where they win be taught
how TO build houses, restore streets,
and make devastated villages At for
habitation. As soon as the unit IL
ready for its work It will be sent to
France under the auspices OF the
American Red Cross.
The Friends are also. sending four
young women to Russia to assist a
group OF English Friends In providing
for the needs Of PolisA refugees who
are now overrunning southern Russia.
The yearly meeting Of the Orthodox
Friends came TO . close yesterday, but
the liberal Quakers' yearly meeting
will continue until Thursday. At the
fnal session OF the orthodox group
the attention OF the Friends was
called again to the fact that while
they were exempt from military serv-
let they were still liable to call for
any other service. including the manu-
facture OF munitions.
II don't want the impression to 90
FORTH" declared L. HollinRsworth
Wood. secretary OF the meeting, shat
we are scott free. We may be called
upon to make munitions or tote shells,
to which we would, OF course. be com
PEELED to raise q conscientious objec-
ton"
1t was agreed at the meeting that
the Quakers would have to decline to
PNEhNEAn any ocTNlCe IN connection
with the making or carrying OF mu-
nitions- II was also made clear that
the Friends had no intention Of bar
ring men Of military age from their
society. II the applicants proved they
were not seeking admission merely to
avoid military service, and revealed a
Arm and conscientious belief N
Quaker principles
Secretary Wood, advising the
Friends on the subject OF registra-
ton. declared that It was, OF course,
q matter OF individual conscience,
but that the most effective and ex.
to state clearly in their blanks that
they we're members OF the Society OF
Friends, and that they were conseien-
tiously opposed to the bearing OF
arms.
An eplstle was sent to the London
Friends. which read as follows:
I'VE, who are called pacifists, are
often tainted with having no patriot
ism. no fighting blood In US. Let US
show the world what patriotism Il
by striving night and day. through
suffering and persecution IL need be
but ever cheerfully. as all good fight
ers must. Let Us create about US an
atmosphere OF steadfast courage and
good will. Let us, not leave a stone
unturned or life that is not conse
Grated to His divine WILL"
A statistical report read at the
meeting showed the present mem
bership II now $4,000.