Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-04
WINTERS THREAT
TO FRENCH POOR
Mrs. Duryea Says Money Will
Literally Save Lives-Parnell
and Kipling
To the Editor Of the Epenina Ledaer.

To the Editor Of the Evening Ledger;
Slr-Mrs Nina Larrey Duryea, president
of the Secours Duryea, Paris, writes the
following letter after having seen Verdun.
She sends very urgent plea for money,
as the reorganization of the Red Cross will
delay the supplies that go to her regularly
from here.
Yesterday went to glorious Verdun.
Words fail me The world never saw such
a stupendous monument to human endur-
ance and courage. The military comman-
dant, DELAY, was more than kind he took
us through the miles Of ruined streets.
where no living creature stlrs; and one
sees half ruined wall, with It's memory
OF luxurious homes, where weeds grow in
the drawing room and birds sing in the de-
serted gardens, among Natures eternal
resurrection Of beauty.
This vast citadel, which withstood Ger
man might, is more impressive than a bat
tleheld. Huge bombs still fall, and each
day takes its toll, while the serene cem-
etery in the field spreads and spreads, and
the blood-red poppies grow from the graves
of those brave men, as though proving that
their very sustenance was drawn from
those quiet hearts to give us the message,
4 am the resurrection and the life Beg
your bit of America to prove their valor,
that 1t may share In their glory.
This depot cares for the wan widows
and their children, who come here by hun
dreds, wincing from the unaccustomed
charity; the babies blue-lipped from poor
nourishment and the terror to which they
were born. II only once-for once would
be enough--those beautifully dressed and
kindly women at home could see these
they would spend themselves in very pity.
Three years have they borne such suspense
and disaster as the world has never known,
and now 1t is up to us to share a minute
part Of the struggle, Oh! l beg you, with
all the earneatness Of which I am capable.
10 give, give, give as never before for the
coming winter we contemplate with fear
for them. France Is fighting with superb
determination for victory, and when one
! contemplates what she has paid, one feels
that all one has is not enough to give
"And so, l beg brazenly and without
shame / know how really hard you work
| but, remember, you work in comfort and
plenty You will never be hungry or
| see your home a elndered ruin, or those
dear to you, in their old age, bereft of
everything but sorrow. The immensity of
| this tragedy ia beyond description. There
fore, ask Of you one thing wherever you
| 20, whoever you speak with, beg--ask them
! 10 deny themselves a theatre ticket. a box
| Of cigarettes, and send the money here.
| 1t will literally save lives in this fair land
| Of France, to which we of America owe
1 such a debt Of gratitude"
Mrs Duryea's work is almost entirely
| among the refugees. A soldier will never
| starve and a soldier will never go naked
| the Government sees to that but the Gov
ernment cannot and does not look after
the civil population, and that is our part OF
the job. Send me any sum, however small
and will forward the amount to Mrs
Duryea, in Paris, to buy supplies over there
| Checks mty be made out 10 Margaret
French. treasurer. and mailed TO Miss
French, chesterwood, Glendale, Mass.
MARGARET FRENCH.
Glendale, Mass, September 80.