SAVING EUROPE—A WORLD RESPONSIBILITY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17780, 31 January 1920, Page 8

SAVING EUROPE—A WORLD RESPONSIBILITY.

CRUSADERS IN HYGIENE. (From ETTIE A. ROUT, Hon. Sec. N.Z.V.S.) Villers Bretonneux, Somme, France, November 27th, 1919. ■‘The War is over, but not its sufferings,” says the United Appeal by the Churches on behalf of the children in famine-stricken areas. Holy Innocents Day (Dec. 28) has been specially chosen for Its world-wide observance —an observance in which people of all creeds and no creeds at all may join hand in hand in the name of Religion and Humanity. Last month I told you of our work in feeding the school children of Villers Bretonneux, and the following letter of thanks shows how greatly it is appreciated:— SCHOOL CHILDREN’S THANKS. Villers Bretonneux, Nov. 19, 1919. To Miss E. Rout. Hon. Sec. New Zealand Volunteer Sisters, Soldiers’ Club, Mairie Street, Villers Bx., Somme, France. Dear Miss Rout, At last, .after having lived for a long time in misery, our scholars, returning to their homes exposed to all the hardships of winter, living in houses or huts covered with paper, leaking and draughty, have now, thanks to your great devotion and to the generosity of the American Red Cross, had their misery lightened. On the 14th November last, a distribution of garments of all description was made on the part of the American Red Cross. The joy of our dear little ones touched our hearts, and you had your recompense in regarding them, as it is said: ‘‘Happiness belongs to those who make others happy.” Since the opening of the school, you have spared neither your effort nor your devotion. You have gathered together the school children to the number of about two hundred, in a building made suitable by you; you have given them each day an excellent soup made with the stores given by the American Red Cross. The bread distributed with the soup renders the meal more substantial still. This dinner, at which happiness reigns, renders great service to tile children, above all to those who live a long way from the school. As lepresentatives of our children, who cannot themselves express their gratitude, we beg you, dear Miss Rout, to accept our most sincere and grateful thanks.

(Signed) E. Dangreville, L. Dangreville, School Master and Mistress, M. Gary, D. Petit, S. Roger, M. L. Genin, School Assistants. ‘ MOTHERS AND INFANTS. Next month I am beginning the free distribution of milk given by the American Red Cross for this purpose. The Mayor of Villers Bretonneux counselled a short delay tul the most rigorous winter months (December, January and February), when practically all the cows are “dry,” and only the scantiest supplies of milk are available. Miss Stephens and I have the honour to administer the ample supplies transported here, and we are hoping to have the assistance of some of the officers’ wives. Mrs. Anderson—an Australian officer’s wife—and Mrs. Bowran—an English officer’s wife—have helped us dally for some weeks, but there are not many British women in this area now. What is really wanted is a combined Social Welfare Centre: sewing-room, library, bath-house, wash-house and drying-room. All the water wanted for< household use has to be carried by hand from a central water-point by each family for itself. Such an institution as this did not exist before the War: hence it cannot be “replaced” by the Government: it must be furnished bv outside help. But large quantities of clothing have now reached here from Australia, and the Australian Red Cross and other organisations will soon be working here—for the benefit of the inhabitants —as well as for the benefit of relatives of Australian soldiers buried here. GERMANY’S NEED.

Much has been written recently of Germany’s need—and that of Austria is even greater. But naturally It is to the famine-stricken women and children of the Allied nations that our sympathy and help first turns. Poland, Armenia, Russia, stand in direst need,, and it is to these countries in particular that the American Red Cross is devoting its present energies. Surely they are not wrong in believing that Australia and New Zealand will render all the aid necessary in the devastated regions of France and Flanders! Nor will Humanity for ever consent —for its own sake—to refuse relief- to the hapless sufferers of war: friend or foe. Only thus can Europe be rehabilitated. “They deserve all they get!” No doubt. But do we deserve all it costs to exact the last penalties? And can we dam up the sympathy which passes understanding? Here are nearly half a million German prisoners of w.-.r —held by France as hostages. These prisoners live in camp under military discipline, and work for the French repairing the devastation they have caused: to be exact, there are some 400,000 of them. They have been prisoners for years-—two, three, four and even more years. They can be relased—when the German Government sends down an equal number of workmen who will 'consent to replace these men, and to live under French military control, in camps and barracks. It is not to be expected that German citizens living as free men in Germany will jump forward by battalions to act as substitutes, is it? If German citizens will not volunteer for this substitution, how are they to be recruited? Up to the present the problem has proved insoluble. Can you wonder if some of the prisoners are in a state of settled despair? Their individual deserts may be great; but do they really deserve to be made National scapegoats for an indefinite number of years? And thus over every wall of these slaughtered villages there is inscribed the one word: “Revenge!” Is that the way to make the world safe for Democracy?