REFUGEES IN CONSTANTINOPLE.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sur,--Sue'r appalling reports of the condition of the refugees in Constantinople have reached us from Mr. Childs, the repre- sentative of the League of Nations in that city, that I am writing to ask whether any of your readers can still find from their spring-cleaning a few clothes which could be sent there. There, are in all about 23,000 Greek refugees in that city, confined in twelve different localities, where they are housed in orphanages, schools and barracks. All of these buildings are in bad repair and so overcrowded that it is impossible adequately to deal with the epidemics which rapidly spread amongst these wretched people. The condition of some of these camps is beyond description. The death-rate for the three weeks previous to April 12th averaged 542, which is ten per cent. of the total per month. From February 14th to March 29th 2,235 have died, and, in spite of the fact that those working amongst them have to be equipped with a special one-piece typhus suit, seven Greek doctors have lost their lives through infection.
The All-British Appeal has been able, through the public generosity, to do a little towards the alleviation of these sufferings by the establishment of a disinfecting and clearing station at San Stephano Camp, where the refugees can be cleansed preparatory to shipment to their own country, but this grant can only aim at providing a small measure of relief. After disinfection the refugees have to be clothed, and it is especially for the purpose of appealing for worn clothes, mostly underclothes, though anything is urgently needed, that this letter is written. In one but which Mr. Childs visited the clothes of the refugees were literally white with lice. It is hoped that this brief recital of facts, which can find no parallel in the history of the present generation, will move some of your readers to pity and assistance. The need for donations is indeed terribly urgent, as the death-rate shows. In the warmer months other diseases will claim their toll as well. Cheques should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, Imperial War Relief Fund, General Buildings, Aldwych, W.C. 2 ; gifts of clothing to the Imperial War Relief Fund, c.o. New Hibernia Wharf, London Bridge, S.E. 1, and both should be ear- marked " Constantinople Refugees."—I am, Sir, &c., GERALD MILLER,
Secretary, Imperial War Relief Fund.
General Buildings, Aldwych, London, W.C. 2.
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