The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-16
AMERICAN GIRLS
AIDED FRIENDSHIP
Y. w. c. A. Has Had 34S Overseas
Workers, OF Whom 265 Were
in France.

IN
New York, Feb, IS. The promotion
of International friendship by hun
dreds of American girls who are assist
ing their sisters in 10 European coun-
tries is described in 10 report Of the
war work council of the Young Won
ems Christian association TO the Amer
lean people, made public to-day.
Recreation, education, good cheer
and housing facilities were made avail
able for hundreds Of girls engaged in
work for the allied troops in France
and girl workers in French factories
Glasses have been opened for girls in
Russia and for former inmates of Turk
ish harems. Assistance has been given
3.07l war brides of American soldiers,
representing six nationalities.
The association has bad 3iS overseas
workers, OF whom 265 were in France.
Some of the workers in France have
/ been transferred to other countries
since the return OF American troops
and the work among French girls is
I being taken over by French leadership
In 10 towns or cities of France,
American girls conducted foyers for
girls in war industries. Warmth and
cheef, 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. Recently this
part OF the service has been bringing
new courage to girls returning TO their
homes in the liberated and devastated
regions.
Thirty seven clubs were opened for
army nurses TO help relieve the strain
Of emotional and physical fatigue and
the dizziness of routine. The Red Cross
provided the room and the Young
Womens Christian association the
.9orker, the equipment and the pro-
am.
Eighteen recreation centers were con
cted for signal corps girls, French
I'D "a French centers, comprising Is
Yers, six recreation centers, four sum
yer camps, four war bride camps, one
atel and one emergency training
chool
Assistance was given to Russian girls
in Petrograd. Moscow and Ssmara de
spite revolution, lack OF food and per
sonal danger, five secretaries being sent
from the United States Gymnasium
work, English, French, Russian, book
keeping stenography and music were
taught TO $50 girls in Petrograd and
1865 in Moscow Canteens were opened
for Russian girls, who would almost
have starved otherwise.
When. late inf 1915 the bolsheviki
forced the associations workers to
leave soviet Russia they went to Arch
angel and Vladvostok and established
hostess houses for American troops and
clubs for Russian girls. The girls clubs
al Archangel had more than 500 mem
bers, largely girl refugees.
in Italy the association maintained
10 centers and Is American secretaries
10 aid American women war workers
and thousands Of Italian girls.
Twelve secretaries are now-serving in
the Near East Clubs and classes lave
enlisted the interest Of more than 500
Constantinople girls Other eenters are
maintained in Syrpa, Sivas, Harpout
army clerks and English "Wsacs.' OPP
portunities for fun, physical comfort
and good food being provided by vaea
tion camps and recreation parks.
Three hotels were maintained IN Par
is for comfort of American women war
workers on leave or on their arrival in
France Seventeen hostess houses. with
similar functions. were maintained at
| embarkation points, leave areas and IN
the devastated regions.
At present hostess houses are being
conducted al four cemeteries where
American soldiers are buried 10
magne. st. Quentin. Pere-en- Tardenois
and Belleau Wood-to provide iniorma
ton 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
a. central hostess house, furnishing
information. guides and interpreters.
The association conducted total of
81 American ccnters IN France. com
prising ~ hostess houses. Is clubs for
signal corps girls, ~ nurses clubs. two
I British American clubs, one lnterallied
club and four cemetery centers. I; has
and Arabkir. Girls released from har-
ems arc learning domestic science and
lace making and gymnsstics--how 10
i've and how 10 play.
The association has aided the Polish
Grey Samaritsns to undertake recon
structiOn work in their country, has
I sent a commission TO Czecho-Slovakia
aud made a survey with view 10 vel
fare work. hss maintained Towers and
hostels in Belgium. Rumsnia and Ser
bia and has received appeals for AID
I from Greece. Lithuanis and Jerusalem
Assistance Was given 10 war brides AZ
passport ofiices and embarkation points
abroad and on VOYAGES 70 tho nited
States. The aid included lodging and
aare al ports abroad, Instruction In
English and talks on American Gus
toms. currency and geography On a.
rival IN the uited State che score
faries helped take eaTe u the brides
untif they had JOINED their husbands ~
thcir husbands families Tie ucrk
vas made more diifiru3 Nv The faet
! that IN susny eases husbands and vnc-
could nos rece.u.ze each other IN meet