The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-06
and one that the peoples Of the two nations hope

ana Tor existence as people, France had lent to
them secret aid in money and military supplies, but
1t was not until the French government had recog-
nized the United States as independent nation
and by the treaty, offensive and defensive had
bound itself to fight together with the American
people for that independence-neither to conclude a
separate peace-that the tide Of battle began to
turn.
Washington would not have succeeded without
the aid given to the American people by the French
government King Louis XVI and the French people,
Washington fought England with his hands tied
The Continental government had executive and
congress. afraid of a standing army, would author
lie only short enlstments, that Washington fire.
gently had to discharge one army and form another
in the face OF the enemy His troops poorly
disciplined and still poorly supplied with
clothing. and ammunition. Many defeats in
New England, New York, virginia and the south
greatly discouraged the patriots and 1t requires
deep study Of our nations history to bring Amer
leans realization Of the fact that, but for the SOL
diers and ships. the funds and support given by
! France, the revolution would have been crushed.
Without the aid of the French soldiers and the
French fleet which blocked the mouths of the James
and York rivers, the decisive blow could not have
been dealt by Washington at Yorktown. The able
generalship Of the Marquis de lafayette was shown
nowhere in the revolution more brilliantly than in
| this siege. His quick eye saw that CORVALLIS had
Gagged himself and posting his little army to cut off
possible escape by the British he urged Washington
| to hasten with his army to Virginia. Accompanied
by Rochambeau and his French troops the Ameri-
can general appeared before Yorktown and the
suit was the surrender Of CORVALLIS and his army.
In siding with the Americans and in signing the
treaty of alliance of ITS. as we'll as in the parci
patton of France in the revolution the French kings
| advisers knew the nation counting financial
disaster. In entering the war France had no other
object than to help secure freedom and in
dependence. The aid rendered and the sacrifices
made by Lafayette and his companions in arms
were prompted and compelled by the nationwide
enthusiasm of the French people of all classes for
the American
The American Society for the Relief of French
War Orphans, in issuing appeal to the people of
the United States to aid it in it's efforts behalf
Of the children of France made fatherless by the
ribe war that now involves the greater part of
Europe, calls attention to the fact that no more
appropriate time than the anniversary the treaty
of alliance could be chosen for a practical demon
stration of this nations friendship for France For
her generous and unselfish services to the United
Washington pledged. behalf of every citizen in
the United States France 'the most unalterable
Observation-Disclosures imrcrishahle, eternal!
What more appropriate time could there be for
paying off portion of this debt of gratitude than
the anniversary Of the treaty? What better way
could there be in which to pay it than by sending
generous aid for the support and education of the
needy children whose fathers have lost their lives in
the defense of their homes and country? Today
France is engaged in struggle that threatens her
existence as nation Her people are heroically and
self sacrificngly facing the unparalleled caamities
of the most disastrous war the world has ever
known. and are facing them in a spirit that has
thrilled the world The nations burden of debt is
appalling and the cost of maintaining the conflict
thrust it continues increasingly to grow larger
The government is contributing ten francs (s2A
per month to the support of each child but the sum
of IS for each orphan is needed, the American
Society is seeking to provide the necessary So per
month additional to support many of these des-
ttute orphans as possible during the winter
1t for the purpose of raising funds by volln-
tary contributions to be for the aid of needy
French children made fatherless by the war, that
the American Society for the Relief Of French War
Orphans was Incorporated under the laws of the
means of its membership dues and a guaranty fund,
to defray all the expenses of management coec- |
ton and distribution of funds thus contributed and
every cent of all donations will be used for the aid
and relief of the orphans of France. Affiliated
with the American Society is the organization here
,ofore known the Fatherless Children of France,
with offices at Cos Fifth avenue, New York city, |
which will Cooperate with and act as a branch of |
the American society," Replying to many inquiries |
as to whether French war orphans may be brought |
to this country for adoption rearing, the society
states that it has not and under its charter could |
not have. any such object Its sole purpose is to
provide aid and support. in France for such or |
phahs Americans should be proud and rejoice in |
the privilege of at last being able to return in some
manner the great service generously heroically
ana uns"'tishy rendered to nearly century and
halt ago when poor weak and frendess. |!