The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-21
TINY NJ Filler r
WAR HAWKS FOR FRANCE
Mile. Dutrieu. Who Won Le-
giOn Of Honor Ribbon,
Doesn't Look Warlike.
READY TO GIVE Up LIFE

The worlds most daring wonan avia-
tor Is the most feminine little person
imaginable. AS one chatted with Mile.
Hotel Knickerbocker one found 1t difn-
cult to realize that Until a few weeks
ago she had taken her life in her hands
almost daily In guarding Paris from
German air raiders and that for years
she has rivalled Frances most skilful
and courageous men flyers.
This tiny woman. who weighs con-
siderably less than 100 pounds and who
looks as II she might gather up her
skirts and fly at the approach OF a
mouse. knows what 1t is to venture
into the air on a bitter winter morning
and to soar high and far in scouting
Tor bomb laden Taubes. II pluck meant
poundlge, Helene Dutrieu would never
hav. been a heroine and could not dis
play SO proudly as she does the tiny
rcd ribbon Of the Legion OF Honor. But
her diminutiveness Is no MEASURE OF her
Yalor. Time after time her alertness
and daring warned Paris Of the APP
preach OF German raiders and sent the
French fighting aircraft darling aloft to
meet and drive OF the Taubemen
one who mad merely read about Mile.
Dutrieu's exploits went to the Knick-
erbocker to study briefly the type OF
on whom France has seen NJ to
confer its greatest decoration. The yis-
itor expected to see a oma with some
traces OF masculinity. one who would
be. perhaps. impressive physically. mus.
cularly one who would bear indelible
marks OF "A hard and dangerous calling.
The reality was as diff erent as life
can afford.
DRuntless. hut Feminine.
Helene Dutrieu would seem born to
preside over a tea table. to grace a
salon or to wear with unusual charm
the very fullest and daintiest OF dress
makers creations. Probably she can dc
all of these essentially feminine things.
but certainly one would never select
her as the holder OF air endurance rec
crds, as the woman who had wheeled
over Paris as ~tireless and watchful
as n hawk. as one thoroughly familiar
with the difficult problems of aviation.
Barely 5 feet tall. she is very slim.
Her gestures and movements are quick.
birdlike. Her hair is dark. nearly
black. and very black eyes sparkle in
a colorless face. Her complexion has
been darkened somewhat by wind and
sum-. but it is clear md in very pleasant
harmony with dark eyes and red lips
She is fond OF the little feminine vani-
ties. a touch of powder-perhaps OF
rouge but no man person may ever
guess at these things), are not scorned
by the French woman aviator. A golden
chain at her belt carries the numerous
little gold and jewelled ;rinkets. and
handsome rings CLEAN upon her fingers.
For street wear Mile. Dutrieu prefers
"A simple shirtwaist OF white linen or
silk. a plain tailored skirt OF black
or dark blue. and heat low shoes.
She speaks no English. although this
defect is one she intends to correct be
fore returning TO France and resumine
her volunteer work as an air scout. II
her visitors know no French-no French
suitable TO withstand the rigors OF rapid
fire conversation-they must talk "a
Mile. Dutrieu through an interpreter,
and this itself is n distinct loss. Some
thing OF the flavor and zest OF a per
3 sonal talk with a celebrity of such
unique distinction IL lost IN translation
- NtSNilHtNtt ny lhNshSt Ail'uSh sl Nv
termediary mind. one asked Mile. Du-
trieu first Of all why she came to this
country. She began to talk. rapidly
tempestuously. hands and small head
gesturing with extraordinary energy.
Ready to Die for France.
at was because my country decided
IL was not best to risk the lives OF
women in the grea; war; she said. 81,
was impossible to get official recogni.
ton I would have been proud to give
my life for France--,ver" woman Of
France feels the same And | must say
that the women OF France will nevei
submit to a peace that leaves the Ger.
mans on Belgian soil. The miseries OF
the women OF Belgium have become a
part of our resolution. Their honor 1,
our honor. French women would drive
their husbands and brothers in revol,
II our Government concluded "A peace
that was not consistent with the honor
OF Belgium"
Mile. Dutrieu's eyes snapped as sh,
said this. There was no doub as e
the depth of her feeling. She said pres
emily that as there was no further ser
vice she could render France at tn,