Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-16
u. S. RED CROSS AIDED
BY BELGIAN REFUGEES
Reconstruction Work In Progress In
Devastated Region OF France, From
which Germans Fave Withdrawn.

Reconstruction Work In Progress In
Devastated Region OF France, From
Which Germans Rave withdrawn.
rARIS. September 15.-Belgian Ia Dor
Is being utilized by the American Red
Cross in reconstruction work in the
devastated region OF France from
which the Germans withdrew last
March to the Hindenburg line. The
employment of Belgian Iaborers and
artisans by the American authorities
solves two grave problems. the first
being that OF obtaining men in a coun-
try where every ono Is either in the
trenches or employed in munition maxi
ing. and the second being that OF pro-
vidins employment for Belgian refu-
gees in France.
Part of the huge fund subscribed in
the United States to aid France is be-
ing used In rebuilding French cities
and towns destroyed by the invaders.
The American Red Cross executive
committee, headed by Major Grayson
p. Murphy. who is attached to Cen
eral PershinE'S staff, is directing tho
work.
When the committee went to the
French government and announced 1t
had millions of dollars to spend In re-
constructing the devastated regions It
asked for certain amount of labor
about 800 French artisans to begin
with.
Louis Malvy. Minister of the In
terror. threw up his hands There
were not 800 able bodied Frcnchmen
available for that work. Frances
manhood was in the trenches or just
behind the line, and every man that
could be spared from fighting was en-
gagged III making guns shells and ships
or in filling the soil that France might
not be starved by the submarine cam
paiGn.
But what are we to do? We must
have men to perform the work. We
have the money. but 1t Is useless with
out labor" said Major Murphy.
Perhaps you could use Annamites."
suggested NJ. Malyy.
OF SLIGHT STATURE,
LIKE THE JAPANESE
Annamites are the natives of the
French colony in Indo-China. They
are Mongols of slight stature, like Jap
anese. and they have been extensively
used as skilled labor In French fac
tories since the war. They have proved
particularly adept in manufacturing
aeroplane motors. where their pains
takinsncss and thoroughness in details
has enabled them TO compete with the
highest class skilled French labor In
making delicate parts.
osition of employing AnnamiteS. nut
soon learned from French army officers
who had handled the Asiatics that they
are useless doing outdoor work in win
ter AS long as they can be kept in
doors in warm factory buildings they
stand the cold climate fairly Well. bnt
are unable to stand the rigors of out
doors. AS the reconstruction work
would not be going full swing before
September or October. and WAS to con-
tinue at high pressure all winter. Ma
jor Murphy was forced to discard the
proposition OF utilizing Annamites.
The only alternative the French au-
thorities could suggest was that Amer
lean labor be transported from the
United States. Very little investisa-
ton proved that this was not feasible.
because of the lack of bottoms and the
need for every available ship for carry
ing troops, provisions and munitions.
Finally Louis Chevrillon, secretary
Of the Belgian Rilief Commission in
of the Belgian Relief Commission in
Paris. solved the problem. He offered
had worked in Brussels before the war
and who had fed before the Kaiser's
invading legions, to supply 800 Belgian
lahorcrs and skilled workers in two
weeks and to have 500 In n month.
MANY EXEMPTIONS
TO YOUNG BELGIANS
These Belgians are available because
many exemptions have, been granted to
young men Of military. age who have
lost fathers and brothers in the Bel
gian army. This leniency exists be-
cause the allied powers realize how
Belgium's manhood has been bled white
and that it is necessary to conserve
some of the men OF "the bantam king
| dom" TO repopulate 1t when the invad
ers withdraw.
AS result. there are many Belgian
refugees scattered throughout France
subsisting Tn charity In many cases
| They have gone through so many pri.
| vations that their ambition is dead
! and with their women folk sold into
| slavery in Germany and their men folk