Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-15
URGES AMERICA TO HELP
FRANCE IN TIME OF NEED
Edward B. Clark Tells of Devastation
Wrought on West Front by
German Guns.
Says Peasants Are Returning to
Ruins of Their Homes to
Till the Soil.

Unless America helps save the democ-
racy of France, some day, weeping, she
will search the ashes vainly for her own"
declared Edward 3. Clark, Washington
correspondent of the Chicago Evening
Post. at the close of an address on THE
War-torn Marne," delivered before a large
audience at All Souls Church last night.
The lecture was under the auspices of the
twentieth Century Club for the benefit of
the homeless of the devastated villages
of the Marine district
Facsimilies in miniature of houses which
the Society of Friends of England are
erecting in the Marine district for the use
of the homeless who have returned to
their war-swept homeland were distrib-
uted through the audience last night at
the conclusion of Mr.. Clark's lecture. The
little houses will be used as contribution
boxes, later to be turned back and their
contents added to the relief fund
French Envoy Attends.
The program was prepared by the clubs
civic and French sections. of which the
chairmen are Mrs. Gilbert H. Grosyenor
and Miss Elizabeth NJ. Carhart Among
those who heard Mr. CIark's narrative
were the ambassador from France and
Nine. ]. J. Jusserand, accompanied by the
STAFF Of the embassy
MI Clark. from his personal experiences
in the districts of France lust hack ~
the battle line running from Rheims to
ST. Mihiel, cam> before the club last night
asking no lamentations for France
France is too high spirited-too cour-
ageous. to need lamenta tions"- he said;
but he told simply of the devasta ton
wrought by the German invaders, and of
the spirit OF the country folk OF France.
who, behind the living wall of the sol,
diers OF the republic. have dared to return
just beyond the hill.
One old peasant, pointing to great holes
torn in the fields, Mr.. Clark declared.
said:
"These shell holes make the pIowing
easy"
Confidence in the Army.
The confidence of these simple folk in
their army is sublime, Mr. Clark pointed
out.
He told of an inscription written in pen
ell on a pine cross over the burial Mace Of
sixty-seven French soldiers 1t read
Here lie sixty-seven soldiers of France
Honor to the heroes They are dead.
But who lives?
France
Mr. Clark told of his visit to moro tha,
a score of destroyed villages under the
guidance Of STAFF officer of the French
army. and of how he saw the villagers re-
turning to their desolated homes and
there trying to make shift to live in the
places which they loved. Mr.. Clark.
throughout his address, did not mince
words. but spoke frankly of what he had
seen in France
DR.. Van Schaick Presides.
Rev. DR.. John Van Setback, jr, of the
Church of Our Father. presided He
struck the keynote OF the address to
follow when he said
France has conducted herself SO as to
win the respect of her enemies
Mrs. Edward B. Clark, who is the presi-
dent of the Twentieth Century Club,
while in Paris recently became interested
in the work Of the Friends through the
appeals made by Frenchwomen who are
trying to raise funds to furnish the houses
which are being erected by the Friends.
The leaders in Paris of this work are
the Marquise de Ganay,. the Countess
Madeleine de Bryss and Nine. Saint
Rene Tailiandier. The entire proceeds
of last nights benefit will be sent to
Paris to be used for the purchase of fur
niture. All the expenses of the affair
were met by voluntary contributions.
Musical numbers were furnished by Dr.
and Mrs. w. F. g. Swami and Miss Mary
Kelly. 1