Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-12-14
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has examined nearly 10000 $50 little chill
dren examined. They ranged in eye from three 10
twelve years and Of them all there were barely
more than 80 per cent whom he could pass as be-
ing even fairly we'll nourlshed.
"They have been fed mostly on turnips and
black bread for months" he explained land with
each convoy there more undenourished ones
and more like this little fellow" He indicated
thin wisp Of a boy--he was ten years Of age-it
was tuberculosis.
This explains furthermore. why the American
Red Cross hospital, MS part OF its war burden,
has been obliged to extend it's work into The foun-
dation and maintenance OF homes. here, there and
everywhere throughout France for these unfor-
tuuates whom Germany is sending back by the
hundreds OF thousands. For they unable TO
work. unable to make their own homes and the
civilian population Of France, bent double with
the pack of its problems. has been ncreas-
ingly powerless TO cope Xith this, Germany's In
sidious effort 10 break the morale OF France.
1t was ali new to me when went up to Evian
from Paris TO see the repa;riates come in. l had
heard of how Germany had begun sending them
back in 1916, and how. the numbers Of them in
creased. the American Red Cross stepped in and
undertook TO look out for the sick children finally
extending its work to caring for the hundreds
Of tuberculOus women whom Germany returned to
France. But had heard also, OF how the repa"
triateS, sent through Switzerland by the Germans
arrived at GNluu, singing, KnSebng DOWN ana BlSS-
ing the soil of France and Slauy taking up their
share of their eOuntry's wOrF in factories and on
farms. l had looked for a scene OF Joy at the
station there in Evian. for chCecs and heartthrills
at the casino. Here war n people being returned
to the country that it belonged to here we're ban
of welcome, here were hands and hearts open
to it. But had something entirely different,
and when I inquired il explained to 1T
is plainly" 1 was told, pat OF the German plan
Of breaking down French morale, Of destroying the
efficiency OF the American Red Cross which 1t has
learned is doing such large part In the work of
handling repatriates
AT the time that Germany is hurting her
big shells into Paris by day and air ralding 1t by
night; at the time that she IS driving refu
gees by the thousands from their homes In towns
along the line OF her proposed advance; at the
same time she is filing the hospitals with wounded
French and American soldiers, taxing the equip
ment of the American Red Cross to the limit ms
she believes, she has tried a trick during this
offensive,
IF this is not so. how It be accounted for
that each succeeding trainlohd OF repatriates Ia
larger, contains more sick and completely used up
individuals than the previous oney How can you
account for the large number OF young
with babies born in Germany since they were
taken there-babes whose fathers may be Ger
man but whose identity will remain myD
tery-whch are unloaded on us every dayT
Even at that it seemed rather a difficult task
These people who coming in several
trainloads Of them-geemed shcn hopeless things
What could be done with thea1 What burden
they would be on the Wrench How little result
there would be from anything done for them or
with them
THAT IS far from being the case" was told.
"They respond in an incredibly short time TO al!
we do for them. Their health improves, thelI
minds clear From being liabilities they soon be-
come assets. Germany sends these people In,
wrecks so ccwed. Starved, that they can scarce
" tell whore they have been. what has happened
TO them in the years - their slavery in the mines
the mills the fields Of their cGptor country Tub-r-
culosis seems to have IL firm grip many u them,
and the children are nlleG with the OF con.
taglous diseases But either by happy ability Of
the French TO rise under difficulties, TIC JOY Of
finding themselves back In their own land the
rapldity with which they rally, the quckness with
witch their minds clear is remarkable
French woman. in charge Of the casino yes
tinlre al Evian where clothing is found FOR these
uDfort1nates said: The more they send thu
better we lIlre &. We care tor all, with the
help Of our friends the Americans. And the foster
they send them back, though their coming 50 fast
unquestonably taxes our resources to the utmost
the more quickly viii France get Jack her Jwn
people.