The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-21
ORPHANS OF WAR
 WELL CARED FOR
Association Formed as Re
 suit of Need for It
600 ARE AT ETRETAT
Nineteen Villas Placed at Their Dis posal-Are Being Taught Trades. All Social Barriers Are Ob-
 liberated in the Work

Etretat, France, March z.-lcorrespon- dence of the Associated Press. )-Six hun dred orphans and half 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 s day mp in the bathing season. They are sent here by a charitable movement that has developed practically without organiza- tion, simply grown out of individual ef- fort to relieve the anxiety of mothers who have lost their husbands and of husbands at the front who have lost their wives.
 A soldier waiting for the day to join his regiment asked Emil Vita of the Eniversite Populaire in Paris: What are going to do with our children?'' We can't leave them alone to become vaga- bonds in the street. Monsieur Vita thought moment and then replied sim ply 'I'll take 'em.' What will you do with them9" inquired the soldier T don't quite know" replied sim ply: q don't quite know replied Mon sieur Vita, "but I do know there's enough kind hearts to take care of the children of our soldiers. I'm going to bank on that; the rest is only detail.'
 Development Rapid
 | The result justified Monsieur Vita confidence. As soon as his work became known it's development was rapid Every one wanted to do something and among the more conspicuous were Madame Emil Iola, Mile. Delcasse, daughter of the minister of foreign affairs, Monsieur Clemenceau, Severine and other celebri- ties The practical details, which are mostly in charge of literary men and dramatic artists such as Monsieur Vita, Xavier Privas, the well known song writer. and Madame Privas and Mon sieur Finaly of the Odeon, are regulated with a method and efficiency which show that professional people can be practical. It is due to them that from mere temporary relief measure has grown a { permanent charitable work that will make its influence felt for 20 years to come. The orphans of the war are now taken in permanent charge by the asso- cia ton, "Orphelins de la Guerre which will educate them, train them for some useful occupation in life and watch over them until they are of the age to go it alone In numerous refuges provided for the purpose 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 as they are in sufficient number, they are forwarded here.
 Mothers who refuse to be separated from their children, though unable to give them care that they should have, come along also and become foster moth- CTS to several others. Fathers who hesi- tate to abandon their children perma- nently are permitted to send them to remain until such time as they come back from the and wish to reclaim them. Many fathers whose children have been received here, brought ther wills to the association before going to the front leaving their property to be ad- ministered by the association for the benefit of the children in case they failed to return.
 In the Hands of Teachers
 Originally they were all housed in one of the large hotels, but further -accommo- datons were soon needed and 19 villas have since been placed at the disposi- ton of the society. It is intended that the children shall grow up with the same cheerful and healthy surroundings as if they were in their own families. The children are not only immediately put into the hands of competent teach A CTS but healthy amusements are pro- ~vided for them. including concerts and moving pictures. Even hot chestnut man, who had lost his regular city trade in Paris, was imported.
 Those who are old enough to begin learning trade find plenty of opportu- nifty in the different workshops. and sew ing rooms. The teachers are recruited chiefly among the lnutlldteu ol tne WILT.
 Among the children received in the last arrival was the six-year-old son of a soldier in the ranks and whose mother was killed during the bombardment of Rheims. Another was the 11-year-old son of a soldier in the trenches in the north and of a mother who had been taken captive by the Germans. Maurice Lefort nine-year- old gamin of the mili- tary zone of Paris. was found abandoned in cabin of the zone, his father having been called to arms and his mother hav- ing died since his departure.
 The correspondence of this movement is filled with pathos. The sum of $25, gotten together in one of the trenches of the Argonne two sous at time, was sent to the association as expression of the gratitude of the soldiers for the care given to the children of two ofstheir comrades whose mothers had died since the war began. The employees of the Paris municipal pawnshop, which Is fa- miliarly called ma tante," instead of my uncle.'' sent $40 with the mention that it was for the nephews of ma tante"
 Extremes meet in this work-all social and political barriers having been broken down. Judge Durand of the court of appeals of Paris, formerly judge of the criminal court came to bring encourage ment and donations. While making his round of the villas, he was brought face to face with an old acquaintance.
 It was Charles Yvetot, who formerly passed for one of the most redoubtable revolutionists of Paris, and whom Judge Durand had occasion to sentence to sev- era' years imprisonment for revolution ary propaganda. Meeting at the door of one of these villas, around which a dozen or so of the little children were playing, there was a moments hesita- ton, then both put out a hand at the same time.
 Papa" Yvetot, as he Is called. works alongside Maurice Pujo, the royalist who occupies the other extreme of the politi- ca! scale. Rabbi Levy joins his effort to that of Cardinal Annette and other Cath olics. Protestants. nonbelievers and even Annamites
 An Eye for Business From the Houston Chronicle.