Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-24
NEEDED BY
EUROPE'S CHILDREN
Scarcity Next Winter Will be
Greater Than at Any Time
Since 1915.

The scarcity of clothing throughout
Europe, and the misery due to the lack
of It in cold weather. viii be greater
next winter than in any period since
1915. Stores of linen gathered In the
prosperous years preceding the war are
now exhausted. Saleable articles that
could be exchanged for clothing have
largely disappeared In the pawn shops
and been exported to foreign lands. AL
most no clothing has been bought in
Central and Eastern Europe by the
great masses of the population since
1915. The relation of wages to the cost
of living since the drop in the rate of
exchange that followed the war. has
made such purchases practically Inn
possible during the last three years.
People can live through the summer
without much clothing, although not
without discomfort and mental suffer-
ing. In winter, however. clothing Is
necessary to life. The clothing for
distribution next winter must be coll
lected during these summer months
and shipped to Europe by September,
or il will arrive late. The American
Friends Service Committee, of 20 South
Twelfth street, Philadelphia, appeals to
the American public to send them with
out delay at least a million dollars
worth of clothing. 1t will be used in
Poland. Vienna, Germany. or Russia
according Z, the wishes of the donors,
which viii be scrupulously followed.
Clothing arriving unarocated will be
distributed according to the relative
needs of the countries mentioned.
What is needed? knitted garments
such as filed the leisure hours of the
women of America during the war;
secondhand clothing thas is strong
and clean and serviceable. and worth
paying freight on to Europe; and shoes
in good condition, for all ages, and
particularly shoes with low heels and
wide toes; baby clothing in unlimited
quantities: yarn. in order that the
women of Europe may also knit for
themselves: leather which the coblers
of Europe may make into shoes; uncut
cloth in enormous quantities. such as
dress materials. suitings. hannelette.
&C.
The spasm of generosity that pos
sessed America during the war has un-
doubtedly given way to a reaction. Chris
uans are taking a va alton. They do
not realize that the emergency in Eu-
rope, as far as clothing is concerned,
has increased rather than diminished.
this summer in self-satisfied conterapla-
ton of past labors, or viii they rise TO
this need? VIII the men who read
these words dig deep into their pockets
once more. so that adequate supplies
of raw materials and ready made gar
ments may be p-rchased? Love must
go into this service. Every stitch s. -ould
be taken with imagination that per-
ceives why it is taken and feels for the
prospective recipient; every garment,
now as in the war, should be dispatched
with a prayer. Women's sewing cir
cles. as well as individuals everywhere,
are asked TO cooperate with the Friends
in a whole hearted effort to prevent the
repetition, in any or all of the countries
where the Friends are working, OF the
great suffering which prevailed in Eu-
rope during the past winter.
Boxes. bales and packages as soon as
they are ready. may be sent TO the
American Friends Service Committee
store room, Fifteenth and Cherry
streets. Philadelphia. They will be
shipped from here. as fast as they ac-
cr,rnuiate. to the country for which they
are designated.