11 SEPTEMBER 1915, Page 16

A BRITISH CANTEEN FOR ITALY.

[To TEE EDITOR OF TUE "SPECTATOR :1 Sia,—I received a message a short time ago from General Cadorna that a canteen near the front would be a boon to his wounded soldiers. I have now received an official letter offering me suit- able accommodation for a canteen at a railhead quite near the firing line, and am hastily trying to collect the necessary funds and voluntary staff. The Pro-Italia Committee have subscribed £100, and its Hon. Secretary, Conte de la Fold, 12 Waterloo Place, S.W., has kindly undertaken to act as treasurer. If about three hundred people who have spent happy days in Italy would subscribe 41 each, the canteen could be started at once with the prospect of working satisfactorily for several months. The members of the staff would pay their own expenses, so all the money subscribed would go straight to the canteen.

I should like to add that the canteen which we have been running for tho last seven months for the French Army in the none of war under the Croix Rouge de Londres will not suffer in any way through my temporary absenoe.—I am, Sir, &o.,

Goring Hotel, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.

MARIE H. WATKINS.