The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-14
"AMERICAN FOOD IN NEAR EAST"

Tigaani. Isle of Greece, Aegean Sea,
May mo matter at what tiny port
In the Near East ones ship touches
he finds that American -four and o
stuffs- have been unloaded-Here In
the ancient home of Pythagoras and
the tyrant Polyerates, in the town
which once rivalled ancient Athens.
there are thousands of refugees driven
from Asia Minor during the war by
the Turks. with American -four and
fish from the Turkish coast their
principal means of existence.
Duck-like Turkish caiaues rush
out to the American food ships which
anchor here at intervals and unload
the four which is distributed on
donkey back into the interior of the
island. Both Tighani and Vathey, the
latter the principal port OF the island
OF Samos. are now well supplies with
American staple foods.
American Red Cross representa-
tives. working under the direction of
observation-disclosures Henry w. Andcr-
son. of Richmond, Virginia. see that
the food Is eauitably distributed
throughout the island. Other Red
Cross field workers perform a like
service on the island of Ikaria- In
this work Mr.. Gregior Lous-Maro, the
American vice-consul. Is cooperating.
The Inhabitants OF Patmos. Leros
and Lipso. Greek Islands. seized q
few years ago by the Italians. hope
10 to be reunited to Greece. Leros
boasts that its inhabitants are direct
descendants Of the ancient Greeks.
The Island has changed little from
ancient times and the natives are
famous for their classic beauty. Al
though Patmos is only twenty miles
from g. pan rNV,Y1aYCn haf uy0pn the
two islands is not great, the Greeks
alleging that the Italians discourage
intercourse with the Greek islands.
American food ships mak no dis
tinction between the Greek and Italian
islands, however, Samos receive3
special consideration. for about 10000
Greek refugees from Smyrna and
Asia Minor. driven out by the Turks,
have been living In distress on the
island during the war.
There are no railroads.. no automo-
biles and only a single carriage In
Samos, but the sailed caiqnes
carry the American 1lour n food
staples about the shore line to points
from which donkeys transport them
into the interior. With their native
mastique wine. olives, oranges, nuts,
figs, fresh fish and American food the
natives of Samos are now faring not
so badly.
The British cruisers and mtne-
sweepers which made their base at
Port Vathy on Samos are now leaving
for work on the "Bolshevik FROM" in
tho Black sea. During the war the
Samos shore was ably defended by
British men of war n daring raids
were made across the Samsoun Dhag.
The, British ships also assisted hun
dreds OF Asia Minor Greeks to cross
to Samos and Join h Greek army.
Many American soldiers of Greek
parentage are now visiting the Greek
stands after having fought in France.
Red Cross girls recently distributing
food to refugees sitting about on the
pink and white marble columns OF
what once was the palace of Poly
crates were greeted by a group OF
American soldiers.
What are you Americans doing on
this far-oT island ?" the girls inquired
in astonishment.
oh, we've finished up our work
along the Rhine" one American
Greek replied. and now we've come
back to the home of our fathers.
Right out there in the straits Of My
Gale was fought the naval battle, sec
ond only to Salamis. which Paionios
commemorated with his famous
Winged Victory"
That was two thousands years ago.
So you see we Greeks who fought at
Chateau-Thierry and in the Argonne
have a long military past too"
He was equally impressed by an
officer with whom he was
h officer. when giving
his chauffeur directions, said: 60 to
the right. please, and then to the left.
Thank you very much" In other
words, the officers OF whom M. de Traz
had till then had experience would
simply said Go to the right, and
to the left" He was also thun-
derstruck to see another chauffeur
next day offering a cigarette to an Of
lust as one chum would do to
another" Still more thunderstruck |
was he by the explanation given him
by an American Lieutenant OF the rea-
son for officers and men being on such
terms in the American army: |
'Whx." hid h Lieutenant that sol |