The Washington herald., 1921-01-02
Aid OF AMERICA
PROVIDES ONLY
CHEER In VIENNA
Children's Xmas Bright
Spot for City Where Cold
And Hunger Reign.

VIENNA, Jan. This Christmas
IN Vienna has been the saddest in
its history. 1t was the most hope
less because the city never was so
low in spirits. Vienna offers only
cold, hunger and despair. There
was little of the Christmas spirit,
and the attempts of the shops to
create holiday feeling were futile.
Prices were hopelessly out of reach
of all but the profteers on Kart
nerstrasse, the Fifth avenue Of
Vienna. There were beautifully
decorated shops and windows to de-
ceive the visitor, and where II was
easy to spend large sums for lux
uries, but one could not cross the
street and buy a penny roll in a
bakery.
The only note OF cheer was seen
in the preparations made by the
American missions for remembering
the children. The American relief
administration distributed $4,000
garments among 100000 school
children. The American Red Cross
played Santa Claus to 10000 children
under six years, and to those in hos
pitfalls and Orphanages, and the
Anglo-American Society Of Friends
(Quakers), which operates forty
FIVE stations in Vienna, also gave
the children extras, for it was the
great children's day.
Every child fed in the American
kitchens received 4 pound loaf Of
white American cake to take home
for Christmas dinner. Nearly 800, 900
loaves were distributed and thou
sands of children tasted, c, Se for
the first time in their lives.
Fuel Scarcity Critical.
There is less food and fuel than
a year ago and the prices are three
times higher. The crown was never
so low and the government never
so weak, so that the Austrians have
very little to be cheerful about. By
settling the strike Of the walters
and hotel employees the popular
cafes are open again and crowded
with people who prefer their
warmth and distractions to the dull
ness and cold of their homes.
Vienna really is a city of shiver-
ing and hungry people. The city
lacks food and clothing, is ravaged
by disease, and its money is almost
worthless. All that one heard Of the
old Vienna, gay. bizarre and beauti-
full, moCks from the corners OF
ones memory at the sight of this
pale city. Even in this holiday sea
son there is almost no talking in
the streets, no laughter at all and
no Cheerfulness OF any kind. d,
The people seldom smile but
trudge along in the snow with hard,
set faces which show privdtiGn anil
suffering. Children %. MT play in
Vienna any more. The only places
in which they even raise their voices
in something approaching childish
prattle are the food kitchens where
the most destitute pass an hour of
joy each day.
1t is estimated that these children
are two years behind the normal
development 81 childhood and are
suffering from Jack of the necessl-
ties for health. There is a fairly
generous ration of milk for babies
under twelve months. but after that
age none at all Tor them. Most Of
them have to be given the ill-noUr-
ishing food that serves for adults.
Clothing is exceedingly dear and
very hard to buy az all. Even chill
dren that look fairly well clothed
in the publicity OF the streets have
only rags to wear in the seclusion
OF their homes. Many OF them have
not even sufficient clothing to allow
them to attend school.
The whole life Of Vienna is