The Detroit times., 1915-12-17


Something had TO Oe done 10
bring together individual effort and
save the waste OF funds and energy
which comes from lack OF co-opcra
tion." Nine. lie Nerrier explained
Wonders have been accomplished
but there is still so much 10 be
done that we cannot afford 10 lose
the smallest amount OF time
strength or money. We found that
we must organize. affiliate with the
relief work Of the provinces, and
all pull together toward "A definite
end. The Federation des Jouets is
one OF the results OF this attempt
at organization. One OF our great
est problems is the maintenance OF
disabled men after the war II over
and during its course. We cannot
consign them wholesale TO instltu-
ticns. There are TOO many in the
first place; France would become
one vast institution II she attempt
ed TO care for all the wounded, the
widows and orphans, and the desti-
tute in that way. Besides. family
life. the very foundation of the na-
tion's life. would be in large meas
ure destroyed. How 10 leave the
wounded soldier In his home, how
to provide him with "A means Of live
lihood so that he may remain there
with his family. IS our great prob
lem. Obviously he must first be
taught 10 make something. and then
steady market must be found for
his handiwork.
I'VE naturally thought OF toys
Years ago the dolls Of France had a
great reputation, but we allowed
Germany 10 learn from US how TO
make them. and then apply her
genius for organization 10 take our
market away from us. But we are
going TO win il back The educa-
tion of the men has already pro-
gressed wonderfully. While they
are still helpless on their backs in
the hospitals they are given wood
and tools and models. and they dab
at the bit of wood. happy In their
hopes fer the future. ! have brought
some of these tentative efforts with
me. not that their crudity is inter
esting or attractive. but 10 compare
with their later work rs examples
OF the rapidity of their progress.
They learn very quickly indeed. and
their delight in their own achieve
ments Is touching
More difficult than the teaching
Of the men il the finding OF mar
ket for their work O; course. we
turn for this to you. To whom
should We lock? The war is still
in progress. and even when il is
at last over there will be no money
in Europe for Injuries like toys and
dolls. The children viii have to
learn to play with primitive toys
as their ancestors did. We must
come to our sister republic. who has
given 40 generously. but &c whom
We return again and again in our
need. Alrerica is so vast, and her
heart Is great in proportion. We
sometimes think that you DO not
even yet realize our desperate case
you think US Unfortunate, but beg
We must
"Of course in every country the
death or disablement OF the bread.
winner will bring. the same poverty
and misery after the war; but in
France we have difficulties that
other countries have not, and per.
haps will not have. in the first
place our invaded territory, still in
the hands OF the enemy. represents
not only a fearful loss at present,
but is being 80 stripped and de
spoiled that the loss will extend far
into the future, when II Is once
more our own. Germany Is fed from
this invaded land and economies
by its possession millions of francs
a day.
Serious problems grow out OF
the invasion Of edr territory. The
mon who come from that part OF
the country have had no news Of
their families since the beginning
of the war They know that de-
struction has passed over their
homes. that their dearest are scat
tered, perhaps never to be runited.
They fear even worse horrors. Ger
tain supplies come TO each con-
script from his own people, but
these men from northern France
are cut OF from all that. II thoy
survive they must have money 70
seek out their people, 10 reclaim
their ruined land, rebuild their
shattered houses. which lie like
broken stone. dumped in meaning
loss heaps. Where Il this monev
TO cnme from?"
Mime. I.e Eerrier as n Frenchwom.
an shares the feelings OF deep re-
sentiment against the Germans
brought out by the war. She went
on to speak OF the enemies OF her
country:
1T was a long. long time before
any cf the atrocity stories found
credence in France. The slowest
OF all To be convinced were those
who had fought in 1870 a. that
time IL was the Prusslan custom TO
take. In each village, the priest. the
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