New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-27
Soldier Husbands, Chill
dren and War Prisoners
Aid in Filling Barns.
BABES AND ANCIENTS
ALONE UNOCCUPIED
Grain Is Abundant and Strain Is
Relieved-Plenty of Bread
Next Year.
BY NINE. JEAN ALCIDE PICARD.


Paris, Aug. 3-Throughout tho
country the harvest is being garnered;
IL is this year particularly abundant,
and 1t is no wonder that some anxiety
was felt as to the means of gathering
il in the proper time and under good
conditions.
The government was generous with
permits for the men in the depots TO
help, and prisoners Of war were put
al the disposal Of the farmers.
Still, so many arms are missing, so
many men have eft their ields Cor
another where they form the barrier
which contains the invading food of
the enemies, and inch by inch makes
it recede, that we are wondering IN
the cities If the work could be &C
complished.
So as to be able 10 see myself how
this great problem was being solved,
left Paris for a tour around the coun-
try Oh. the beautiful French coun-
try so rich, so generous, but so deep
ly afflicted and deprived of her sons!
With what emotion / have gone from
geous, simple peorlel How have
learned to love and admire the wom-
en-, with their bright eyes and patient
mouths! They have given more sons
to the country than their city sisters,
and many healthy children are a
source of happiness and wealth in :.
home of peasants. Accordingly, the
losses here are heavier and the great
responsibility of the farm, with It's
numerous and divers duties, has fall
len heavily on the shoulders OF the
women. But they show themselves
equal to their task. Their able hands
have ed the plough, and sown the
grain ~ the fall, and this year they
handle me scythe, making the hay
and gathering the golden harvest; re-
CARELESS of pain ard toll, they stiie
their anxieties, having no time for
moaning; action is their motto.
Leaving the babies in the cradle to
the care of grandmothers, they still
the thought that the father may not
come back, that his life may be the
price of the little plot, heritage of the
family and work on. They
turn deaf ear to the sombre news
brought to the village by some ire
sponsible pessimist and keep their
faith with their strength, conscious
that their assistance is needed ana
that it falls 10 them 10 complete the
work of the beloved ones at the front.
Could they fail TO fulfil the trust put
in them? Not they They are French
women, and if their men can die with
a joke they at least can suffer with
out complaint. And they work and
they toll, and, thanks 10 their efforts,
the country shall live. I wish could
pay them the homage they deserved
Behind the firing line they have
been greatly helped by the soldiers,
who often and of their own accord
spend their four days rest from the
trenches in the peaceful work of the
fields.
Further south and west men in red
trousers can also be observed busy in
the fields, liberated for a while by
timely leave from their solderly 'du-
ties in the barracks.
The farm people generally were at
first unwilling TO use the prisoners of
war; they looked with distrust at these
strange and hostile men, wondering
which among them had accomplished
the deeds that have left US all horri-
fed; but as the neeo of workers be-
came more pressing the demand for
them became more and more numer-
Gus. Their work is appreciated, but
there is no or hardly any intercourse
and no sympathy between them and
their employers.
The children also do their share.
Neighbors help each other, and, thanks
to the united efforts of all. the country
shall have bread throughout the winter.