The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-22
FRIENDS RELIEF
WORK IN FRANCE
IS DESCRIBED
Quaker College Head Tells Of
Service Rendered 10 the
War Zone.
(ey w. w. Comfort, President Of
haverford Colieqe)

In the work that is being undertaken
IN France and In Russia by members
Of the Society OF Friends Times Of
war have always presented to the
members Of this peace-loving society
the problem Of performing the duty Of
patriotic citizens, while at the same
time preserving intact the time-honor-
ed attitude toward war which has been
distinctive OF their society since its
foundation in the seventeenth century.
In 1915 London yearly meeting plainly
restated the official attitude Of the so
ciety toward all war; and in 1917 the
representatives OF the five years meet
Ing. held at Richmond. Ind. restated
the same position In different terms.
Many Have Felt Free.
There have been very many individ-
ual Friends who have felt free to bear
arms In this war as in previous wars.
It was to be expected that, given the
high aims Of the United States In join
ing the allies. many young Friends
should feel DESTROYS of taking part in
what was proclaimed as a crusade in
favor Of a cause In which all believed
The official attitude Of Quakers. both
in the British Isles, and in the United
States, however, has found its most
characteristic expression in the recon-
struction work, which was undertaken
promptly by English Friends, who be-
gan their work in France as early as
November, 1914. A large representa-.
tive committee In London has under
taken the effective direction Of this
work. A very large sum Of money has
been raised. and great quantities of
necessary goods and raw materials
have been forwarded through the ware
houses Of the committee in London
and In Paris. The work has been un-
dertaken exclusively among the civil
ian population in the territory devas-
tated in the battle of the Marine in
1914. This district stretches directly
east Of Paris, between Chalons and the
neighborhood Of Barbecue, back Of
Verdun.
Relief Work Required.
The relief work which was required
most urgently was the providing Of
portable houses in quantities Of sew
eral hundreds for families which were
left without roof over their head. In
some places 1t was possible to use the
stone and mortar lying at hand in re-
constructing the dwellings. Live stock
and agricultural implements have been
lation which was largely agricultural
in its interest before the war The
necessary furniture and living necessi-
ties have been provided at cost price
for the portable houses Of one, two, or
three rooms. which have been built by
the society's workers.
Added to these physical require
ments were the medical and surgical
attention provided by the society's doc
tors. surgeons and trained nurses at
a variety Of centers in this territory
occupied. This medical work began
with the prompt establishment Of
maternity hospital at Chalons, and
now includes several dispensaries. hos
pitfalls, orphanages and sanatoriums for
victims Of tuberculosis.
Some pare has also been played in
forwarding and settling the thousands
OF refugees who have been repatriated
through Switzerland. who constitute
one of the most difficult social prob
lens at the present time.
After the United States joined in the
war, the Quakers In the United States,
numbering more than 100000, felt that
they could no longer confine them
selves to forwarding money to London,
but must engage themselves personal
ly in this work. This they did just
year ago, and during the last year
there have gone from our country
about ESQ men and women workers to
France, supported by contributions
which have now risen to more than
100000. The effective and practical
nature of the Friends work received
fits highest approval from the Ameri-
can Red Cross, which now also is
working on the civilian problem in
France. 1t will be readily understood
that France itself is unable to take
care adequately at the present time
OF these numerous homeless families
without help and support from her
allies.
Moral Support is Chief.
The Friends feel that the deeper sig
nificance of their work lies not In the
temporary physical nature Of their as
sistance, but in the moral support and
sympathy which they as foreigners are
extending to the civilian populations
with which they come in very intimate
contact There is abundant proof that
this may lead not only to a very cor
dial international understanding, but