5-#414 Twenty first from Rome                
 
                                                            
 
 
their reach, shoes are pricless clothes beyond even the reach of the   
rich.  There is inadequate light and little heat.  Soap is a luxury-   
meat rarely seen by the people, dark bread little but costly, oil,   
vegetables difficult for all to get, transporation the masses walk,   
their shoes are pitiful.  If an epidemic started here it would sweep   
all before it so low is the resistance of the people.  Medicines are   
    very scarce until recently practically non-existent.    
 
                                                            
 
 
This is the aftermath of war, it is a sad picture.  Last March the   
effort was undertaken by the United States to relieve the most urgent   
phases of this situation as far as possible.  We organized American   
Relief for ITaly.  We succeeded voluntary gifts of clothing, shoes,   
milk products, vitamins and medicines were solicited and contributed.    
Owing to the exingencies of the war shipping conditions delayed the   
arrival of these essential relief supplies but now we have recieved   
over four million pounds of donated materials from the United States.    
The National War Fund has given its support.  Various religious and   
civil organizations and many individuals gave generous contributions.   
Here in Italy we found it essential to coordinate Italian relief   
activities.  We succeeded in organizing a National Committtee for the   
                      distribution of                       
 
                     donated relief in