Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-21
DR.. WILBUR THOMAS
On European Rehabilitation


p PEHABILITATION of the stricken
~ countries of Europe has become a mat
ter of international concern, according to
DIR. Wilbur Thomas, director of the Friends
Relief Service in Europe, who recently re.
turned from an extensive trip through
Europe.
Improvement Of the exchange rate and an
increase in productivity are the two es-
sentials to a return to anything like nor
malcy, holds DR.. Thomas. Each. in fact,
is more or less dependent on the other, he
says.
"While conditions in Europe" said DR..
Thomas, "are improved there are distressing
times ahead during the years that must
elapse before anything like return to
normal is effected
''As it now stands, all Europe is affected
to n greater or less degree with malnutr'
ton, some Of the countries very seriously
SO. AS any one can readily see the vitality
of people cannot be allowed to run down
very far II they are to increase their pro-
duction appreciaby. thing that they must
do il there is TO be any decided change in
existing conditions.
Production Was Curtaile1
This situation IS complicated by two
conditions. The lack of production during
and following the war resulted in the re-
serve supply of food, clothing and other
necessities being run down to the point where
it was almost negligible
The first concern of almost every coun-
try in Europe then Is to first take care Of
its own needs Most of them are so far
behind, however. that they not only cannot
gain, but will likely fall further behind than
ever.
'England. France and Belgium may be
rated. II not back to normal at least able
to stand on their own feet and struggle
along with some chance OF taking care OF
themselves and being able to export TO other
countries. Belgium, in particular. Is going
full tilt But the other countries, such as
Germany, Austria. Poland aud Russia, not
to mention many of the smaller ones, are in
desperate straits.
THE American visitor in these countries
IL generally not impressed with the gravity
Of the situation. lie hears tales Of people
naked and starving and goes there expecting
to see people dropping in the streets or
crawling about cadaverous and ragged.
when he sees apparently healthy looking
children romping about with the unconcern
of childhood adults going about AS usua!
and himself eats regularly at the hotels on
whatever, for the most part, he fancics, at
less price than it would cost him at home,
he ut once comes to the conclusion tint
reports of conditions have been exaggerated.
Below the Surface
"But a little more than casual or super
fetal examination will show him quite
different condition. For instance, ! saw
lot Of children in Vienna in the bread line.
| said to a physician, Why do these chill.
dren come here for food? They look all
right. He took child out Of the line.
How old do you think she is? he asked.
Judging from our own experience
replied about eight years old.
:" How old are yOu| he asked the girl.
Twelve, she replied.
."rhru the fact dawned upon me that the
children were stunted in their growth.
fouud aftrrward that the European child l.
from two to five years behind his American
cousin in development.
."rhC adults too. show their loss of vitality
iu their lack Of interest and general air Of
inssitudr. While in Germany. for instance,
they have lost the portlinesB, so charac'eriS.
tir of them, they look, outside OF being II
little pale, fairly normal But the vitality
and Stamina which cannot be observed and
is 80 necessary. in not there. France lost
tyyo inches II man during the NapOlconir
vars and an inch man after the Franco
pruSsian War You can figure proportion.
atoly how much smaller the European peo-
ples are going to be for years.
Necessities Are Lacking
oils, fats, soap and medicine are flCnred
as i. ililt necessities oi these countries Or
diuarlly the soap would be used for washing
purposes But most OF the soap TINT goes
over is eaten. The fats Ia It are too yalu
ahla TO be wasted for such a thing ss wash
ina The further Fast you 20 Tho mora this