Evening star., 1952-07-03
Arabs Bitter
AtU. S. Policy,
Visitor Says
BY Ruth Deem

oIOOCI I1Coo tOWd1u tIlC OIlItCS
States and the threat of COM
munism were described by q
Washington visitor yesterday as
the most serious conditions exist
ing today among approximately
100000 Arab refugees in Pales-
tines Jordan area.
At the same time, Mrs. Willard
Jones, wife Of the principal Of the
American Friends School in RAM
allah, Jordan, declared that lack
Of clothing and recreational and
educational facilities are further
hampering efforts to solve the
refugee problem.
Mrs. Jones expressed her views
during a press conference. held
at the General Federation of
Women's Clubs. She and her hus-
band are in this country to take
part in the Nationwide appeal for
clothing for Arab refugees being
made by the American Middle
East Relief.
The local drive opened last week
and will continue through July 13.
The General Federation is one of
the groups indorsing it and has
urged its members throughout the
United States to answer the re-
lief call.
The Arabs feel bitter toward the
United States because they think
I'VE let them down." Mrs. Jones
declared. The bitterness is di-
rected at American policy, how
ever. rather than at Americans as
individuals.
: Communism in the refugee
camps is "a greater threat than
we realize" Mrs. Jones asserted.
A great many Of the refugees are
illiterate and their predicament
is affording Communist agitators
q heyday.
Mrs. Jones, who with her hus-
band has lived in Jordan the last
four years and previous to that at
intervals since 1920, expressed the
opinion that most Americans have
failed to appreciate the serious
ness of the situation" A majority
Of the refugees were settled peo-
pie, not nomads, she pointed out.
Most Of them, she explained,
came from comfortable circum-
stances. but now are forced to live
in tents, caves or even unpro-
tected fields. The winter cold is
bitter, and the rainy season heavy
with sometimes as much as 40I
inches. Begging for clothes is not
uncommon, though often the beg
ger may have a fortune frozen in
an Israel bank. A majority still
believe their situation is "only
temporary" and refuse to face the
TACT they may never return to
their homes. Many hopefully
carry front door keys.
Immediate needs are clothing,
shoes and blankets, Mrs. Jones
pointed out. There is a dearth of
mems and children's clothing.
however. Apparently, it's the
American woman who can afford
to change with the seasons" she
commented.
The difficulties Of camp living
have greatly hampered education
Of the refugee children, Mrs. Jones
said. Only one-fourth of those
who should be in school are there.
The United Nations has pro-
vided some recreational facilities, |
such as coffee houses for the men,
but these. too, are inadequate
to care for the large population.
she added.
Peter K. Dughman is general |
chairman of the Washington
Clothing Committee for Arab Ref
ugees which is conducting the |
local drive. Contributions will be
sent to the United Nations for
distribution to the refugees. Do
nors have been asked to leave
bundles at local fire stations. The 1
general federation has offered it's
headquarters at 1884 N street
NV. as a collection center.
The drive has also been in
dorsed personally by Mrs. Oscar
A. Ahlgren. president of the gen.
eral federation, and Mrs. Hiram
Cole Houghton. immediate past
president.