The Washington herald., 1922-04-28
RED CROSS JUNIORS
EQUIP SCHOOL
IN MONTENEGRO
American Youths Render
Great Service to Poor
Foreigners.

Montenegro Is poor-at nfst Sou
find it desolate. for II is all bare rock
But it has a wild. pure beauty up
there against the sky. There is no
thing petty or weak throughout It
The whole country expresses one
lofty idea-Freedom.
And the little nation which has
lived for a thousand years and more
in the silence and mystery OF the
mountains has grown strong and
brave: with a power of self-sacrifice.
an instinct of protection for the
weak an da living sympathy for
others in trouble.
Five hundred years ago when their
brother Serbs were defeated at the
battle OF Kossovo and subjugated by
the Turk. the Montenegrins adopted
the cap which they still wear in
memory of that fateful day. 1t is
fiat skull cap, the black rim symbo-
liking mourning for the Serbs. the
red crown the field of blood. and the
five thin semi-circles of gold (sdded
one by one as the centuries passed),
the term of servitude during which
the spirit of the Serbs has remained
unconquered and undimmed.
During the first Balkan war the
Montenegro had to take the noun
tain called Tarabosh. The approach
was so guarded by barbed wire en-
tanglements that the army could not
advance, II was necessary to send a
small detachment ahead with bombs
to destroy the defenses. This was
so dangerous a task that those who
went could not expect to come back
alive. Volunteers were. called for.
Two hundred and fifty young men
sprang to the front. But before they
could start a band Of old soldiers
overpowered them. Not our boys"
they cried. Let them live for their
country. We whose lives are so
nearly finished will co." And seizing
the bombs they rushed forward. Only
three out OF the 25o came back
These heroes died to save all the
children of their land. They left
them a heritage OF lofty aim and a
power of sclf-sacrifice. but in a world
of poverty, sickness. and death.
After the war up and down the
length of Montenegro orphaned chill
dren were living with sheep and
goats in caves or in stone huts with
out windows or chimneys. They
Tended for themselves like little
beasts. But they were eager to learn
and just as eager for life. as you
boys and girls are.
There were only two high schools
iH all Montenegro. One in Cettinje.
high in the mountains and of from
the usual roads: the other In Podgo-
rita. so small. so poor in books that
month after month the waiting list
was turned away.
knew a group OF shepherd boys
who banded together and bought one
blank book between them. On Satur-
days they walked many miles to the
Podgoritza school. borrowed text
books and copied the lessons for the
following week. Then out on the
recited to each other and tried TO
keep ZIP with the class. But there
were other children too small to help
themselves. They wondered about
''a'f ~'~-vod. III from exposure and
malnutrition, wild for lack Of love
and care.
Such were the children gathered
into the orphanage at Podgoritza and
the training school at Danilovgrad:
the children whom the Juniors have
taken by the hand and to whom they
have said, Come, we will all, work
together for better and Happier
world" Now let US see in what way
the Juniors have been able to help
and what there is still for them TO
90 in Moutepe gro
First there is the Manual Training
School In Daniiovgrad. built and
equipped by the Juniors. This Is
something to be rightly proud OF.
1t gives a chance to 200 boys to be-
come mechanics. carpenters. shoe
makers. and tailors.s Soon they wifi
be building houses with windows and
chimneys. and running, motors and
electric plants. A great change from
the caves along the river! Then In
the Podsoritza Home School 100
young orphans are taught and cared
for. As the big boys pass out from
Daniloygrad. the younger ones from
Podgoritza take their places, each
to learn trade. And the girls are
taught 'housework, laundry. the care
of children. sewinr and sn1broidery.