South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-17

Report Describes Overseas
Work by Members OF
7. w. c. A.

NEW YORK. Feb. 16.-Ths pro-
motion OF international friendship
By hundreds OF American girls who
are assisting their sisters in ten Eu-
ropean countries Is described in the
report of the war work council OF
the Young women's Christian asso-
citation 20 the American people.
made public today.
Recreation, education. good cheer
and housing facilities were made
available for hundreds OF girls en-
24sed In work for the allied troops
in France and girl workers in
French factories. Classes have been
opened for girls IN Russia and for
former inmates Of Turkish harems.
Assistance has been given 3.O7l
war brides OF American soldiers.
representing six nationalities.
The association has had 34S over
seas workers, OF whom 265 were in
France. Some Of the workers in
France have been transferred 10
other countries since the return OF
American troops and the work
among French girls is being taken
over by French leadership
Girls Conduct Foyers.
In 10 towns or cities of France
Girls conducted foyers for girls in
war industries. Warmth and cheer.
comfortable chairs In which to
read and rest and a cafeteria were
provided for French women who
took their places in industry while
their men folk were fighting. Re
Gently this part Of the service has
been bringing new courage 20 girls
returning TO their homes in the lib
Grated and devastated regions.
Thirty-seven clubs were opened
for army nurses TO help relieve the
strain OF emotional and physical
fatigue and the dullness Of routine
The Red Cross provided the room
and the Young Women's Christian
association tine worker. the equip
!, Tnent and the program.
Eighteen recreation centers were
conducted for signal corps girls.
French army clerks and English
''Waacs." opportunities for fun ply
ksical comfort and good food being
fprovided by vacation camps and
recreation parks.
Maintain Three Hotels.
Three hotels were maintained in
Paris for comfort OF American
women war workers on leave or on
their arrival IN France. Seventeen
hostess houses. with similar func-
lions. were maintained at embar-
kation points. leave areas and in
<khe devastated regions.
AT present hostess houses are be-
ing conducted at four cemeteries
where American soldiers are buried
--ROmagne. St. Quentin. Fere-en-
Tardenois and Belleau Wood-to
provide information and care for
women who visit the graves OF
brothers fathers, husbands. sons or
sweethearts. One OF the hotels that
were opened in Paris is maintained
as the American Women's club and
acts as a central hostess house. fur
nishing information. guides and
interpreters
The association conducted total
OF 81 American centers in France.
comprising 10 hostess houses, is
clubs for signal corps girls. So
nurses clubs. two British-Amer-
lean clubs, one Inter-Allied club and
four cemetery centers. Il has had
81 French centers. comprising p
Towers. six recreation centcrs. four
summer camps. four war bride
camps. one hostel and one emer-
pcncv training school.
Assist Russian Girls
Assistance was given 20 Russian
Girls IN Petrograd. Moscow and Sa-
mara despite revolution. lack OF
food and personal danger. five SEC
retaries being sent from the United
states. Gymnasium work. English
French. Russian. bookkeeping. stem
osraphy and music were taught "a
80 girls in Petrograd and l65 In
Moscow. Canteens were opened foI
Russian girls. who would have
starved otherwise
When. late In 1918 the bolshe
Wiki forced the associations work
ers 20 leave soviet Russia they went
>so Archangel and Vladivostok and
established hostess houses fol
American troops and clubs for Rus
sian girls. The girls clubs at Arch