The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-06-18
Realism In Relief Needed

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Some doubling Thomases have been wonder
ing for some time if the United States, which
likes nothing better than being good Samaritan
to the world, is not perhaps over-reaching
the need in its plans for succor both now
and after the war. That the doubters may
not be far from the truth, as concerns one
area at least, is confirmed by eyewitness &C.
counts of the situation OF Frenchmen in towns
and villages liberated by Allied forces in Nor
mandy.
Several dispatches from the front have been
so much alike that is is safe to apply the
Biblical, as well as the common law, prin-
ciple: "Out of the mouths of many witnesses
the truth shall be established" They all indi
cate that residents as a whole in liberated
are living in comparative luxury
Here is the account of one of these CORE.
spondents:
IT have just passed through more than a
score of villages taken by United States troops
in the last "a hours and in blasted and de-
serted houses there were thick tweed suits
hardly worn, dozens of women's silk dresses,
and plenty of food and cosmetics.
Zone deserted house where spent the night
even had silk sheets on the beds. There was
huge pan of roasted-pig knuckles in the
oven, large dishes of butter and artichokes
on the table and plenty of perfume face pow.
der, and perfumed soap.
"All appeared to have been left as the CT
villains quickly interrupted their normal lives
to flee from the approaching war.
II followed Yanks through a yard filled
with chickens and geese. Inside the house
there were clean table cloths, plate of roast
joints on the table, huge jar of cream in
corner and churn full of butter
'In the bathroom we found stacks of thick
clean towels, which in London or New York
would be very hard to obtain. There were
also pile of bags which also would be diff
cult to find in Britain or the United States
where there are paper shortages.
On some shelves there were bottles Of per-
fume, boxes Of women's face powder OF brands
widely known in the United States and Brit.
ain, dozen bars Of scented soap, plenty Of
tooth paste, three or four dozen razor blades
lotions.
There were plenty Of clothes, both mems
and won1en's, in the closets. Shoes appear
to be the only item of wearing apparel Of
which there is shortage. It is peculiar tc
see French women wearing wooden shoes with
sheer stockings some of which appear to be
made of silk.
AS the Yanks around here say, If there's
anything you need, ask the French They prob.
ably have it'''
Citizens of Normandy are more fortunate
than residents of other parts of Nazi-occuped
Europe. Other sections of France have prob
ably been bled not only of manpower but OF
resources. Certainly invaded areas of Russia
have been stripped.
The Germans have left wide trail of pow
erty and suffering. Greece is an outstanding
example Of this.
But at the same time, it is only reasonable
to think that in every case the people who
have been outraged and impoverished by Hit
Ter would rather have the help that would re.
store them to self sufficiency and financial
independence than have charity forced upon
them and suffer the loss of self respect that
entails
Instead Of becoming sentimental Samaritans
we ought to view relief from a realistic view
point.