The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-14
WAR ECHOES

| Pittsburg Post: The promptness with which Germany has arranged to pay for
 ican merchantmen William P. Frye by
 the cruiser Eitel Friedrich will have a | good effect. It draws attention to the
 fact that reparation is obtainable through
 peaceful channels for damages sustained l by our citizens on account of the war. Great Britain and the other belligerents l have given assurance that claims against
 them will be met in the same way. Not l long ago indemnity was obtained from one of tho Mexican factions for the death of an American. This beats risking thou sands of lives and billions of dollars through the plans some of the jingoes | have suggested for getting reparation. Kansas City Star: The idea that "only governments go to war; gets something of n black eye from. the events of 'the state of minds in Italy, Not only is 1t the people of Italy that form the war party. but it is the most radical of the people.
 That this condition exists in Italy is certain, because the reports of this mili- tant unrest have been too long continued and too unvaried to admit of doubt A recent article by Guglielmo Ferrero in the Atlantic Monthly explained the radi- calls demand for war on the side of the allies. F'errero, who frankly classes him. self on that side, declared that up to that time (about the first of the year) ma jority of the Italian people were still in favor of neutrality. But, he said, the views of the radical war party were gaining ground. The government, Fer rero said, was following a veering policy because of these cross currents of popu- lar opinion.
 The important point is that in the Italian situation we can see the machin- cry working We can see that in Italy's case, at least, the demand for fighting comes from those who must do the fight ing and the other suffering.
 Perhaps this does not clear up the gen eral confusion as to what brings war and who is to blame and so on. But it might make us less cocksure in our judg- ments as to both the superficial causes
 
 great castastrophes
 James H. Hare in Leslie's: So many sad cases presented themselves of children whose fathers had been Killed in action and mothers left without any resources that some few of them were admitted into
 the society-which is officially recorded now after fulfilling the requirement of the French statute as that of Orphelins de la Guerre. It has an office in an unpreten- tious building in Paris-very inexpensive and colony for the children at Etretat near Havre in Normandy. When first es- tablished in the little seaside resort, the Casino was rented as home for the children. but after short time the Brit ish authorities requiring a hospital and being in position to pay larger rental, the colony moved to it's present location a disused hotel for headquarters and rooms in various empty villas around the town. There were $50 inmates the day visited the place and 36 arrived the next day, making a total of 3s6 Eight hun dred cases had been received since the beginning of the war, ranging in age from months to 15 years. Positions had been found for some of the older ones and many had been adopted. Twenty of the older boys were to be, sent to the French colony Algeria and 60 more to another branch of the asylum about to be opened at Nice. Thirty-six motherly middle aged women had volunteered to act as "moth- CTS" and were receiving no remuneration. Six teachers were paid. I believe, by the board of education. The mother would take as manA boys and girls as she could handle and was responsible to the man. agement for them. Some had as many as 20 in their care. They were handled just like families. Each mother saw that the children in her charge were properly washed and dressed, but all assembled for meals.
 Twas one of the saddest sights I've seen in long time, these little ones 8. tention of their parents living like this, and so uncomplaining. Many of the little ones were too young to realize their loss,
 but were aware there was something missing, for as soon as the big general director, who must have weighed 2S0 pounds, came in sight, concerted rush would be made toward him, and he would lift up the little ones. they presenting each cheek to be kissed and when the took me in the rooms to see them at meals one or two here and there would forget all discipline, slide out of their seats and snuggle to him to be petted.