Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-20
CHILDREN ALL CARED FOR
France Pursues Systematic Plan in
Looking After Boys and Girls
of Fathers Who Go to War.
WELL FED AND SHELTERED

(Correspondence Of the Associated Press)
ETRETAT, France. March 16--slx hun
sired orphans and haif-orphans OF the war
are having the time Of their lives in this
channel fishing port and resort. some OF
them enjoying the luxury Of apartments
that rent for from q a day up in the
bathing season. They arc cent here by
a charitable movement that has devei-
oped practically without organization
simply grown cut of individual effort 70
relieve the aniety OF mothers who have
lost their husbands and Of husbands at
the front who have lost their wives.
4 soldier waiting for the day 20 Join his
regiment asked vita OF the Universite
Fopulaire in Paris:
What are we going to do With our
children2 We can't leave them alone to
become vagabonds IN the street.
Monsieur Vita Thought n moment and
then replied simply: "I'n take 'en."
what will you do with them7' In
auircd the soldier
II don't quite know" repller Monsieur
Vita, hut do know there's enough
kind hearts to take care OF the children
OF our soldiers. I'm going 20 bank on
that; the rest Is only detail"
All Are Doing Their share.
The result justified Monsieur Vitta's
confidence. As soon a. his work became
known its development was rapid. Every
one wanted 20 do something and among
the more conspicuous we're Nine. Emil
lola. Mile. Deleasse. daughter OF the
minister OF foreign affairs; Monsieur
Clemenoeau. Severance and other celebri-
ties. Tho practical details which are
mostly IN charge OF literary men and dra,-
matte artists such as Monsieur Vita
Xavier Privas. the well known song
writer. and Nine. Privas. and Monsieur
Finally Of the odeon. are regulated with
method ana efficiency which show that
professional people can be practical 1t
is due 20 them that from a mere tempo
rary relief measure has grown a perma-
nsnt charitable work that will mako its
influence felt for twenty years to come.
Tho orphans OF the war are now taken
In permanent charge by the association,
OrpheilnB de Ia Guefre. which will edu-
cate them, train them for some useful
occupation In life and watch over them
until they are OF the age 20 go Il alone.
In numerous refugees provided for the pur-
nose in Paris. children newly born whose
fathers have fallen on the field OF battle,
are received with their mothers. and from
these collecting stations as soon AZ they
are In rpfficitDt number they are for
waiq1ed here.
Mothers who refuse 20 be separated
from their children. though unable to
give them care that they should have,
come along also and become foster
mothers 70 several others. Fathers who
hesitate 10 abandon their children per-
manently are permitted 10 send them to
remain until such time as they come
back from the war and wish 10 reclaim
them. Many fathers whose children have
been received here. brought their wills
20 the association before going 20 the
front, leaving their property TO be ad-
rninistered by the association for the
benefit OF the children IN case they failed
% return.
surroundings Are Pleasant.
Originally they were all housed IN one
II the large hotels, but further accomo-
iations we're soon needed and nineteen
Villas have since been placed ct the dis
position OF the society II Is intended
that tho children shall grow up with
the came cheerful and healthy surround
hgk as II they were in their own faini-
lee. The children are not only immedt-
etciy put into the hands Of competent
teacherE. but healthy amusements are
provided fer them, including concerts and
moving pictures. Even a hot-chestnut
man. who had lost his regular city trade
Paris was imported
Those who are old enough to begin
learning q trade find plenty Of oppor-
tlnlty IN the different workshops and
sowing rooms. The teachers are re.
crulted chiefly among the nnutilated OF
the war.
Among the children received IN the last
arrival was the 6-year-oid son OF a sol
der In the ranks, and whose mother was
killed during the bombardment OF Rheims
Ansther was the li-year-old son Of q sol
der In the trenches in tho north and Of
mother who had been taken captive
By the Germans Maurice Lefort s-year'
I'D gamin OF the military zone OF Paris
Was found abandoned in cabin OF tho
roma. his father having been called L
arms and his mother having died since