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In and Around Germany
Germans Send UN Soldiers Gifts
A Soviet Zone refugee couple living in West Berlin
sent a box of Christmas gifts to RIAS (US-operated
radio station) to be forwarded to seven UN soldiers
fighting in Korea.
Erwin Johanna Musche wrote in the accompanying
note that the gifts were a token of one couple's ap-
preciation that these soldiers were spending their Christ-
mas Eve holding back the forces of oppression.
The gifts included cigarette lighters, billfolds and
cigarette cases. The recipients were to be two American
and one British, French, Turkish, Australian and South
Korean soldiers.
The Musches wrote that the idea came to them while
listening to a Christmas Eve program over RIAS. Their
own children, aged 16 and 17, were abducted toward the
end of the war from their Soviet Zone home. There has
been no news of their fate.
The letter added: "We thought of the mothers in
America, of the mothers both in the free world and in
the suppressed countries. Our thoughts went to Korea
where tears and blood are being shed. Thus we had the
idea which you (RIAS) can help to put into effect.
"Belatedly we wish you, dear RIAS, a Merry Christ-
mas and a Happy New Year. Let your voice never falter:
should you fall silent, our force would wane."
The gifts were sent via Army channels to the Far East.
Child Education Exhibit
The German public became acquainted with American
theories and practices in child education during the
recent Mannheim HoLusfrauenverband (Housewives As-
sociationi fair.
The show, which attracted 30,000 visitors, demonstrated
the changing position of women in Germany since the
Fifteen US state Defense Bond Drive chairmen touring
Europe to observe European defense effort visit US High
Commissioner John J. McCloy at his Mehlnm headquarters.
Problems of German contribution to Western defense were
explained by Mr. McCloy and a number of prominent
Federal Government officials.  (PRD I iiCO, p)hot(, by Gassnei)
Antonio Del Pero, Italian vice consul in Berlin, accepts
from Capt. Henry Gettmann, GYA officer, check for $270
representing proceeds of variety performance arranged
by GYA Inter-Club Shows of Berlin Military Post for child
victims of Po River valley flood disaster. Others are, L.-r.,
Klaus Schiddel of GYA Inter-Club Shows; W. F. Fitzgerald
of AFN and Paul Neukirchen, senior GYA center group
leader in West Berlin.                 (us Army photo)
19th century, with a parallel emphasis on the education
and welfare of children. The Mannheim US Information
Center sponsored an exhibit entitled "Helping Children
Grow," which was arranged by the Association for
Childhood Education International, of Washington, D.C.
It included books and pamphlets on various problems of
education and child development as well as 140 pictures
showing children at work and play in American schools
and parks.
Of greatest interest was the display of modern Ameri-
can factory-made toys designed for children between two
and seven years. These practical and scientifically de-
signed toys are educational and stimulate the exploring
spirit of children.
Although pioneer work in the design of educational
toys was carried on in Germany in the 1920's and early
1930's most of the craftsmen have left the country. Both
parents and teachers commented on the German manu-
facturers' preference for small, brightly-colored mechani-
ial toys which have no educational value, hold only
temporary interest and are easily broken.
One visitor, an ex-manufacturer of toys, stated that
he had produced unpainted building blocks and large
wooden vehicles but was forced to close down, because
there was no demand in Germany for this type of toy.
An explanation of this contradiction may be that the
majority of parents cannot afford to buy superior toys.
A display of model kindergarten equipment impressed
teachers with the amount of thought devoted to the
planning of playrooms and classrooms in the United
States. Public high school and vocational school teachers
brought their classes to see the American exhibit which
held considerable appeal for children; many asked about
librtary and youth activities at the Information Center.
I EBRUARY 1'52