Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-22
Y.W.C.A. Planning Move to Promote
 Girls Friendship

New York, Feb. 21.-The promo tion of international friendship by hundreds of American girls who are assisting their sisters iii 10 Euro pean countries is described in the report of the war work council of the Young Women's Christian associa- tion to the American people, made public today.
 Recreation, education, good cheer and housing facilities were made available for hundreds of girls en- gagged in work for the allied troops Tn France and girl workers in French factories. Classes have been opened for girls in Russia and for former in- mates of Turkish soldiers, repre- snting six nationalities.
 The association has had 348 over- seas 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 being taken over by French leadership.
 In 19 towns or cities of France. Mexican girls conducted foyers for girls in war industries. Warmth and cheer, comfortable chairs in which to read and rest and a cafe teria were provided for French wo- men who took their places in indus try while thelr men folk were fight ing. Recently this part of the ser vice has been bringing new courage to girls returning to their homes Tn the liberated and devastated regions
 Thirty-sev clubs were opened for army nurses to help relieve the fatigue and the dullness of rou- tine. The Red Cross provided the room and the Young Women's Chris tian association the worker, the equipment and the program.
 Eighteen recreation centers were conducted for signal corps girls, French army clerks and English "Waacs," opportunities for fun, physical comfort and good food be- ing provided by vacation camps and recreation parks.
 Three hotels were maintained in Paris for comfort of American wo- r,en war workers on leave or on their arrival in France. Seventeen host css houses, with similar functions, were maintained at authorization points, leave areas and in the de- vastated regions.
 At present hostess houses are be- ing conducted at four cemeteries, where American soldiers are bur St. Quentin, Fere-en- Tardenois and Belleau Wood, to pro- vide information and care for wom- en who visit the graves of brothers, fathers, husbands, sons or sweet hearts. One of the hotels that were opened in Paris is maintained as the American Women's club and acts as central hostess house, fur nishing information, guides and in- terpreters.
 The association conducted total of 81 American centers in France, comprising 19 hostess houses, IS clubs for signal corps girls, 37 nurs- es' clubs, two British-American clubs, one inter-allied club and four cemetery centers. It has had A French centers, comprising 28 foyers, six recreation centers, four summer camps, one hostel and one emergency training school.
 Assistance was given to Russian girls in Petrograd, Moscow and Sa- mara uCSplVC ACNOAuGAOA, AcSh VI AVVSs and personal danger, five secretar- ies being sent from the United States. Gymnasium work, English, French, Russian, bookkeeping, ste nography and music were taught to 15O girls in Petrograd and 165 in Moscow Canteens were opened for Russian girls, who would almost have starved otherwise.
 When, late in 1918, the bolsheviki forced the association's workers to leave soviet Russia they went to Archangel and Vladivostok and es- tablished hostess houses for Ameri- can troops and clubs for Russian girls. The girls clubs at Archan- gel had more than 500 members, largely girl refugees.
 In Italy the association maintain ed 10 centers and 15 American secre- taries to aid American women war workers and thousands of Italian girls.
 Twelve secretaries are now serv- ing in the Near East. Clubs and classes have enlisted the interest of more than 500 Constantinople girls. Other centers are maintained in Syrna, Sivas, Harpout and Arabkir. Girls released from harems are