The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-27
.SARAJEVO Center
Of FOOD SUPPLY

SARAJEvO, May 27. Correspondence
OF the Associated Press.>L-This little
Bosnian city, famous as the scene of
the murder Of Archduke Franz Ferdi-
nand, which was the precursor Of the
great world war, Is now b h~eadquar-
tiers of the United States food admins
tration n OF the American Red Cross,
which Is extending its activities to
every part of the Balkans. American
officers, soldiers, physicians n nurses
are numerous in the streets.
-Four and a half years OF war have
made little change In he ancient cap
ital. With the exception OF a small
district near the Serbian frontier, Bos.
mia and Herzegovina were not a battle.
ground and there was no destruction
Of property. Indeed, except for the
wounded and sick Bosnian soldiers re-
turning from Austria and Germany and
the presence Of allied officers and
troops. one would scarcely know the
country had ever been Mt war.
Tho streets are thronged with people
| of all n~atlonalities and Of all manner
of dress. C~roatians, Serbs, Austrians,
Germans, Turks, Italians, Frenchmen,
B%ritishers and Americans rub elbows
with one another. The cafes are al
ways crowded. The moving picture
theaters are full at all hours, and dane
ing is ever popular. Public and semi.
l PhhAfS bthh' -
gayety runs to all extremes.
The slender minarets OF more h
a hundred Turkish mosques give a very
! picturesque appearance to the city
Nearly one-half OF Sarajevo's $4,000 peo-
pie are OF the Mohammedan faith. The
scores of Turkish bazars are well pat
ronized, particularly by Americans, who
seem to be keen for oriental things OF
all sorts.
The Turkish people here really are
| Slavs who embraced the Mohammedan
religion. They are noted for their indo-
lence and dirtiness. The women never
work. Many of the older ones adopt
begging for a profession. The Serbians.
on the other hand, are industrious and
tidy. The homes OF the Serbian peas
ants are models Of cleanliness.
The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina
have great native intelligence. Many
speak several languages. The educated
classes are students OF politics and eco
Monies. The words liberty and freedom
are constantly on their lips. They say
that all their hope Is centered In Presi-
dent Wilson,
While there Is an abundance Of food
IN the large cities, some of the villages
are suffering severely. There is conf
plete lack of food suitable for children
and the sick. Most of the hospitals
are badly in need OF blankets, linen,
surgical dressings n medicine, There
has been an alarming increase In the
number Of typhus cases, particularly
among the poor, many of whom have
only one outfit of clothing, which they
never change or wash until worn out.
They are therefore good subjects for
the typhus house.
The American Red Cross commission
to tho Balkans has sent n number OF
physicians and nurses to help the local
authorities and has also given the hos
pitfalls supplies OF clothing, surgical
dressings and medicines. 1t has relief
stations at Ragusa, Spalato, Fiume,
Mostar and Sarajevo. The United States
food administration Is sending large
quantities of flour end fats into the
interior regions, where restitution is
worse.