The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-09-21
TO cLoTHE THE BELGIANS.
Urgent Appeal Made Through the Red
Cross.

An urgent appeal has come from Bel
GUM to the American Red Cross to help
"clothe the naked" of that unfortunate
country before the winter sets in. That
is almost literally what it means-to
"clothe the naked for hundreds of
thousands of Belgians, especially the
refugees in the cities are facing the win
ter with scarcely enough clothes to COW
err them.
Germany has stripped Belgium of all
its cloth and the materials with which
to make cloth. The fact is that Ger
many is herself reduced to the use of pa
per for clothes for many of her people,
SO what must conditions be in Bel
giumY
The New England division Of the
American Red Cross has been asked to
furnish four hundred tons Of second
hand clothes for the Belgans mmedi.
ately, and all Red Cross members in
New England are asked to search anew
for some article or articles of clothing
that can be of use to the Belgians this
winter Belgium is exposed TO the raw,
cold winds of the North sea in winter
and the heating facilities-never wholly
adequate-are now almost completely ex
hausted.
Wooden goods Of any kind whatsoever
are acceptable; soft hats and caps for
all ages, and sweaters Of any kind and
size. Mems shorts and pajamss, so worn
or shrunken as no longer to be service
able are particularly welcome, since the
material can be used by the Belgian
women for making children's garments
Shoes Of every kind are asked for, and
scrap leather is needed for repairing
footwear
An extract from private letter writ.
ten by a well.todo lady in Brussels to
an American friend shows, better than
any general description, the actual cloth
ing conditions in Belgium. She says:
Perhaps you viii laugh when you
hear that wear cloak made from
my husbands garden divique overcoat,
a waist made from his football shirt,
and a skirt made of a dyed bedsheet.
Mother had suit made of tablecloth,
J. and NJ. have cloaks made Of wooden
blankets, and S. dress made of bur
lap. But all this is only amusing in
comparison with the wretchedness Of the
population. After ALL we remain calm and
confident Of victory"
The articles most needed for girls
wear are: Dresses, skirts. overcOats,
nightdresses, drawers, stockings, under
garments, petticoats, two-piece suits,
blouses and shoes; for boys' and girls
wear-hooded caps. pinsfores and wool
en- union suits; for infants-swan-ski
swaddling clothes, cradle chemises, bod
ices, cradle dresses, sweaters, bonnets
bibs, neckerehiefs diapers, shoes, baby
dresses, hooded cloaks, jackets, shawls,
and socks. Other things acceptable are
bed ticks, bed sheets, pillow cases, blank
cts and muiflers.
There are certain articles which must
not be sent, including garments Of Atmsy
or gaudy coloring, ball dresses,
high -heeled slippers, mems derby hats
and women's straw hats, anything con
tanning rubber such as raincoats, rubber
boots, etc, with heels are acceptable, as
the heels can be removed. All pockets
should be searched to make sure that no
notes are sent.
The official week Of this campaign is
Sept % to 30, The Red Cross chapters
or branches in each community will At
tend to the packing and shipping