THE WAR AND OUR GIRLS ABROAD. [To THE EDITOR OF
THE SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—May I call the attention of your readers to the thousands of our young countrywomen scattered over Europe—chiefly the orphan daughters of our cultured classes—whose vital interests are keenly touched by this war? Many who, after years of patient toil, had gained positions of comparative independence are quite unable, and probably never will be able, to realize their hardly earned savings.
Others have been dismissed at a moment's notice without the salary due to them ; some have travelled for days without refreshment, empty-handed; some in cattle trucks with the wounded, having witnessed sights they will never forget. The lady in charge of Washington House, 18 Rue de Milan, where the work of the Homes has been concentrated, being near to the Gave St. Lazare, writes :—
"Since I came numbers of English girls have passed through the Home from different parts of Europe—empty-handed, after years of toil ! Four came last night from Vienna, having travelled days without food. They were terribly scared at the state of Paris (twenty bombs had fallen during the day), and we had to make up beds for them in the basement. They were too frightened to sleep anywhere but underground. They had been told that the English Army was wiped out and that the Germans were everywhere victorious! To-day five came from Italy and four from other parte. We find positions for all we can, but usually without salary. Six bombs were dropped on the Gare du Nord this morning and two near the Gare St. Lazare, close to us. This Home is doing life-saving work, but we are entirely without funds !"
There is no "roll of honour" for these our young gentle. women, although they have fought life's battle under grave difficulties with credit to themselves amid the strange loneli- ness of foreign cities. May I add that the claim of this class to consideration—alas ! this war will greatly add to their number—is being but tardily acknowledged, their instinct being to conceal rather than to reveal suffering ? Our Hon.
Treasurer is Mr. F. A. Bevan, 54 Lombard Street, E.C.—I (Hon. President and Foundrese of the Ada Leigh Homes in Paris).
241 Knightsbridge, S.W.
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