The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-23

pr0p<vty ID only too well known to
NE world. Battle damage. Of course.
was tremendous but devastation did
nof end here. With q fendishneaB
that was not though possible In civil
lied times the baff1ed Germans laid
waste the whole countryside as they
were forced toward their own border.
Beautiful chateaux and their rich
furnishings were the, particular OBJ
Jects OF Teuton hatred and destruc-
hQn-lust but the homes tot the peas-
ants did not escape. Where dwellings
were not burned or blown up the
furniture was reduced to kindling.
Crops and orchards t6o felt the Teu-
ton rage And to make replacement
OF homes by the victims themselves
all but impossible manufacturing
e. 49,, =. ~ IT,. .-rs &C.
That 10 why the resources OF France
are not sufficient to provide the re-
fugees with even the necessities Of life
and why the American Red Cross Is
giving its assistance In relieving the
refugees plight Under plan work
American Red Cross representatives
ltshed relief depots at Lille, Amfens,
Laon. Mezieres. Chalons and vcrdun.
The French minister OF reconst ruction
has been supplied with American Red
Cross workers who are stationed
throughout the devastated area with
complete equipment. motor trucks and
administrative fcrcea They have
divided a forty-mfie wide strip across
France into sections and In charge
OF each liz placed q resident of known
ability and he handles all the prob
lems OF that district and superintends
the distribution Of food, shelter and
other necessities This work Is grow
ing in volume and with the spring the
tide Of refugees flowing back to their
old homes will be even greater and
the necessity of quick relief CORE
spondingly larger.
The contribution OF chairs and
tables TO the repa.riated French fani-
lies Is not the only reason the re-
generosity Of the young folks OF Amer
lea. A gift Of 100000 from the
children Of Americas army Of relief,
now merged with the Junior Red Cross
of this country. for the founding of
q children's hospital in Paris was re-
Gently announced and how greatly IL
Is appreciated may be seen from the
following letter from CASTOR Sevretie,
president OF the Ligue Fraternelle des
Enfants de France:
Our committee OF the great Iague
send the children OF America oil our
best thanks for the very generous gift
which has been lately granted. This
increases, IL II be really possible, our
friendship for America. 1t II feel
ing which often had the great
pleasure OF expressing publicly In my
articles and which wished TO tell
again, apropos Of your little workers
OF the American Red Cross"
That the gift OF furniture Amerf-
can sehoolboys will make viii prove
q similarly substantial token of their
sympathy aud desire to help the I'm
fortunate Is certain and that 1t win
call forth the heartfelt gratitude of
the nation of France as well as the
direct beneficiaries cannot be doubted
t -'~ ~~A tables will be built
on a aesas4r ss<s4s@ liability as
well as attractiveness s ~ifi be
Scnt 70 France Knocked do hut
30 constructed that unskilled s
can set them up for immediate
The American Red Cross will b.
directly In touch with the distribution,
tnsurtng the placing OF the furniture
whe1a most urgently needed