Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-06
American Relief
Brings Heartfelt
Thanks of Italy

lCorrespon dence Associated Press
Headquarters Italian Army, May s.
Arrival of relief from America thru
the Red Cross agents behind the Italian
front along the Piave river, which sec
ton is flied with refugees from the
regions invaded by Teutonic troops is
greeted with evidences of fervent
gratitude and jubilation. This is true
rot only because of the actual gifts in
money, food and clothing but because il
signifies TO the Italians the fact that
America is standing behind them in
their long conflict with the Austrian
invaders.
The aged priest at Castillo d. Godega
was so overcome by >the unexpected
donations from America that ne threw
up his arms, knelt in prayer and ex-
claimed, 1T is gift direct from
heaven
Wherever the Red Cross workers
have distributed their relief. the mayor
and local committee directed the sue
coreG families Of that commune to write
TO the soldiers at the front and tell
them what America has done. The
work Of the Americans was extoled
and the people were told that the
United States was thus cooperating
in close and practical accord with
Italy.
In some cases huge posters have
appeared on the town walls with proc
iar?ation by the mayor announcing
| what America was doing.
| The misery which prevails among the
refugees in the provinces OF Treviso,
yeneta and Padua is'most distressing,
Stopping at the little town OF Resi- in
tour OF this section, there was a
chance to see one OF these communities
of refugees in all its misery. It is a
strange community. which has mig
rated az a whole from it's former home
at Vidor. now held By the enemy. to Its
present hab.tation Of Riesi Vidor Is
the village on the east bank Of the P!ave
which was occupied by General Won
Below and his German troops, and when
they came these townspeople, with only
the clothes on their back and few
household belongings. fed across the
Piave and settled down here. Most OF
the refugees have scattered all over
Italy, but this is one of the few towns
that has held together in its fight.
The parish priest led the way as the
Red Cross workers went on round
of inspection TO see just how these
people were living. The mayor and
the parish priest are usually consulted
or this work, the latter because he is
in touch with all the troubles. Most
Of the people are religious. but even
those who are not get religious
when they are In trouble, and everyone
is IN trouble here. They all knew him,
and he made t.iis way thru crowds OF
ragged children and the choked alleys
of what would have been concentra-
ION camp If II had been organized, but
being unorganized was only vast
hive OF refugees in their misery.
| In one room about fifteen feet square
| twenty five people were sleeping on
! straw strewn over the earthen floor
| The place was stuffed with soiled gar
ments. the pitiful remnants of what
these occupants possessed, and reeked
| with vileness Across the court there
was a smaller room where thirteen
were sleeping. and in another eight;
, all huddled together on the straw,
| women children. babies, and their rags.
All the outhouses, barns. grain lofts,
There were few men. for all the men
have gone TO the war, except the very
old and very young.
| Many of the women were very old,
with wizened hungry faces like witches
A number Of the women carried babies,
and all OF them were trailed by large
broods OF children. All these people
had lost everything. Their clothes were
in rags. Underclothes and stockings
had long ago disappeared. Even the
consolation OF work was denied to
these people. for there was nothing for
! them to do here, and they stood about
! with their crowds Of children and
babies. fighting to keep OF hunger and
typhoid, and helpless in their misery.
AS a result OF the inspection the
Red Cross has started the work OF
ameliorating this condition. providing
suitable sleeping quarters. with sani-
tation and the nucleus OF a hospital
for the growing sicklist.
The secretary Of the Loria municip-
atty said ali the barns there were fair
" packed with people, thirty or more
to every barn, filing the stalls ano
lofts. The mayor OF caetella-ldi-Gode
said the spirit Of the farm people wal
Iehowing remarkable fortitude in spite
OF the troubles they were encountering
They are going to carry on their May
planting as usual" he said, gather
ing the spring clover and then putting