The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-03-05
Refugees Needs
Are Numerous
RED CROSS ORGANIZATIONS
URGED TO CONTINUE PRO-
DUCTION INDEFINITELY

! From Rad Cross Headquarters
Garments, both knitted and sewed,
are needed at the rate of one million
month for destitute regions of nor
thern France, Belgium, Italy, Rouma-
MIA, Serbia. Greece, Montenegro, Pa
lestine, Albania and other countries,
according to request received by
/ american Red Cross headquarters
from Harvey d. Gibson, American
| Red Cross commissioner to Europe.
As a result the Red Cross has re-
quested its division organizations TO
have their Chapters continue produc-
ton on as large a scalp as practical
Bile under present conditions.
'The distress throughout the world
presents a picture of great despair,
declares Mr.. Gibson "The Ameri-
can Red Cross cannot hope to cope
with it adequately with the resources
now at our command. The most we
can possibly hope to contribute is
supplementary aid to the government
tai programs that are being formu-
lated. One of the most effective
forms this emergency aid can take
is the furnishing of garments for re-
| fugees, which are needed in unlimit-
Led quantities.
"Refugees all over the world who
have been driven from their homes
I by the varying forces of war have
been for years in rags, with practi-
cally no clothes. In many countries,
even If the articles such as are needed
could be manufactured and paid for,
the material to make them is lacking.
| In all of these countries the Ameri-
can Red Cross has commissions and is
prepared to make distributions. The
need is great to such degree that
few at Rome can possibly realize its
vastness. Every garment furnished
will cover body which otherwise
would lack proper clothing. Each gar
mint will actually prevent suffering.
We should be assured that we can
count on the United States for one
million garments monthly. When the
cloth now in stock is exhausted. second
hand clothing should be utilized for
remaking into refugee garments, the
cloth first being washed and pressed.
promptly distributed. This work,
handled by Chapters, should go on
undated for some months to come.
| Delayed instructions covering the
production of knitted and sewed gar
ments have been sent to all division
managers of the American Red Cross
| by headquarters, Washington, d. G.
These instructions reverse the order
sent broadcast late in December co
cease knitting"
While women of the country need
| knit no more for American soldiers,
sailors and marines, the new need is
fully as pressing as the old. Unless
Chapters of the American Red Cross
Throughout the country and knitters
and garment makers themselves ARE
made to see this real need, it is feared
at national headquarters that the ur-.
gent appeal for million garments
each month will not even approx
mately be filled.
Knitted articles will be confined to
children's stockings, sweaters and
mufflers and women's shawls. The
Red Cross has stocks of materials so
large that it will be able to supply
Chapters without cost.
Refugee clothing is not only being
regularly received in Europe from the
American Red Cross but is being dis
tributed where it is needed most.
| French models for these garments are
used by the Red Cross in this country,
refuting report that garments made
in America have to be remade in Eur
ope.