The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-07-18
RUSSIAN TEMPERAMENT
Is SERIOUS OBSTACLE
TO AMERICAN CHARITY
INSTITUTIONS ABROAD

Constantinople, July 1S-The Russian
temperament is proving a serious oh.
stacle to American and other relief
and charitable organizations here. In.
dividual Americans trying to help Rus
sian refugees often give up in despair.
The Russian may be described as
money blind. He is careless with his
own money and with that Of others.
Thousands Of Russian refugees arrived
here with plenty Of gold money, furs,
jewels and portable valuables. With
out thought for the morrow, they
lived for a time in the best hotels
until the money was exhausted and
the valuables pawned.
Then the hotel proprietors asked
them to leave and they went cheerful.
ly to live in squalid by.street, not
only expectant but confident the Anne
ricans or some other good souls would
care for them. And often 1t is done.
One of the tragedy.comedies Of the
foreign colony here is the story of the
attempts Of a Russian general to get
his seven daughters to Paris. Dozens
OF persons have spent much time and
money in his effort and so far three
Of the daughters are here and starv-
ing. The father has himself spent
$1,000 francs trying The general. a
good and capable father, got himself as
far as Paris through the kind Off
ces Of United States Consul General
Moser, then in Tiflis.
In Paris the father mortgased his
estates for 100000 francs and sent 25,.
900 francs to his wife and seven
daughters to join him. They got as
far as Constantlnople, bought q lot Of
new dresses. attended the seasons
dances, loaned the rest of their money
TO needy friends and asked father for
more.
The general sent another $4,000
francs and after various difficulties
about passports. the mother and four
Of the daughters departed. New loans
and expenditures made it impossible
to take three Of the daughters. An.
other $4,000 francs was sent to the
three daughters by the father through
Russian general who pocketed II. OF
thoughtlessly spent 1t, and the daught
ers are still here, their clothes held for
board and lodgings and they and thei,
family in Paris are cheerfully waiting
until the American relief organizations
do something about 1t.
"a certain baron, member of the I'm
perial Guard, II times wounded dur,
ing the war, was all but adopted by a
Chicago dentist who met him in Rus
sia. The latter arranged for his pas
sage to the United States, sent funds
for travel expenses and waited The
handsome baron pocketed the funds
and turned up at the American En-
bassy within a few days describlnr
how his pocket had been picked a
cable was sent the dentist and fresf
funds arrived These funds were dis
sipated and still the baron did not sail
He is now waiting more funds from
Chicago.
An American navy officer on sta
ton here was told by his Russian
friends of their difficulties with tn,
cruel landlord who was about to eject
them. The officer gave them tn,
needed money and was invited to din,
with them. The dinner was splendid,
served. including champagne. Tn,
landlord had to renew his threats, bu
In vain. The rent money had paid 70,
the dinner.
All Americans here love the Rus
slams and do much to help them, bu
those with experience have ceaseC
making heavy sacrifices to do SO
The ncurable optimism Of the Russian
leads him to build air castles and int
foolish acts that have to be paid fol
In cold cash. When his optimism Il
exhausted, the Russian is 80 pesslmis
tic he takes to the river. Many younr
men have committed suicide here
Their families In France and Enslan,
and Italy send them money to joir
them, they spend the money for cham
payne or silk socks, or what not