The sun., 1918-08-25
Overcomes National
Pride by Finesse and
Creates Greater En-
tente by Emphasiz-
ing Our Interest in
Country's Future /

i'iC shaH ItIcL
to victims Of the war in Italy, in addition
1t IS helping the unfortunate to help
themselves. As result, at the wars end
1t Is hoped that the mendicant class will
be eliminated, and every man or woman,
no matter how handicapped, will be able
to earn living wage.
According 10 Col. Robert P. Perkins,
head of the American Red Cross mission
to Italy, this method of work has done
much to bring about a complete under
standing between America and Italy.
"The Italians are very proud people,
said Col. Perkins. Realizing this, we
saw at once that our relief work must be
done under the direction of the italian
Government, which understands its peo-
pie. Through the assistance of Premier
Orlando, who responded with splendid
alacrity to our request for advice, the
way was made straight and smooth.
Il must pause in my account of the
American Red Cross system of giving
to tell about the marvellous way the Ital-
ian Government took care of its refugees.
Four hundred thousand of them had come
down in droves from the north, where
they had been driven from their homes
either by the Austrian invasion or by the
continuous and persistent air raids
Needy Alb srbed by Districts.
"At once the southern part of the coun-
try was divided into districts, and to each
district, according to its capacity and re-
sources, was apportioned its share of the
homeless and the needy. They were prac-
tically absorbed by the population, the
money for their support being given by
the Government from fund which was
not any too large for wars demands.
"Premier Orlando Immediately put us
in touch with the projects of the vari-
ous provinces, and they, in turn, referred
us to the mayors of the cities In this
way we were enabled to render immediate
assistance, our automobiles travelling
throughout Italy under the direction of an
American Red Cross officer who spoke
both Italian and English. We made a
cash gift to 31S,000 families, our only re-
striction being that those assisted must
be either refugees or dependents of the
men at the front.
at was here that the national pride and
sensitiveness of the Italian people as
serted itself. They would not accept aid
until we made them understand that the
money was gift from the wives and
mothers and sisters Of America whose
men were now fighting with the Allies in
q common cause"
Further conferences with Italian Off
Gals revealed the necessity for coopera-
ton with the people rather than aims
giving, either discriminate or otherwise.
Col. Perkins outlines how this was ac-
eomplished:
1--WE found it better to give them work
whereby they could earn living wage,
selling them our supplies at less than cost
price. Had we started to give things
away they would havebeen embarrassed.
So the American Red Cross organized
ouvroirs, bright, attractive rooms, where
the women made clothing for the refugee
children, receiving wages regulated by the
Government, as it was not our desire to
interfere with the economic life of the
country.
Women Kept Their Self-Respect.
"The result of this was that hundreds
of women were kept busy, their self-re
spect maintained and 5000 children given
good warm clothing. This was done
within three weeks of our arrival, and we
covered an area containing fifty-seven
provinces with the aid of the Italian civil
and military authorities.
"In this way We got at the people at the
y L. -