The Washington herald., 1917-11-22

The Stars and Stripes Of the
United States are waving above the
Maison .Familiale Orphelinat des
Armees, the only war orphan asylum
of its kind In France, and the chill
dren that are housed in the institu-
ton have vigorous Quarrels as to
who shall be the Americans in their
war games. This was revealed last
night by Madame Bimont. a teacher
of French in the Western High
School, who mas Just returned TO
Washington from a stay Of several
months in France.
The need Of an institution to take
care of the children made orphans by
the war who are delicate and per-
haps on the verge Of tuberculosis be-
came pressing and the French gov
crnment requested Madame Bimont
TO organize and establish such an In
stitution.
Sailing for France in June, imme-
Giately after the close OF the schools
here. Madam Bimont carried with
her cots and bed clothes and other
articles necessary for the proposed
asylum given by the schools OF
Washington and other Americans.
Prince Udine on ship.
On the came ship sailed Prince
Udine. head of the Italian Mission to
the United States. and Francis Bowes
Sayre, son-in-law OF President VIII
son. who was going to France 70
take part in the work OF the Y. n
c. A. there
Today the asylum Is established.
Three buildings were purchased and
fitted out, and twelve dormitorIes are
in use. and the Stars and Stripes
floats over the buildings and domi-
tories which have been named after
their American contributors who
fitted them out
The weight OF responsibility that Is
felt by the war orphans il sweetly
sad. Madame Bimont declared
There was one little fellow just II
years DID," she said. I'VE wished e
obtain money 10 enable him to con.
tinue at school. but It was no use
he would not consent to II.
His father had been killed at the
front and his mother had had q
very hard struggle 10 get along. tax,
ing care Of himself and his littl,
brothers and sisters. No. he de.
clarcd, he must get well and aronI
very quickly for he had to get a jol
and help take care OF my mother
and nay little brothers and sisters
One OF Many.
"ITe was only one OF the dear little
things who felt so heavily the hard
blows dealt them by the war"
What cAarreling there was among
the children housed at the asylum
she continued. was mostly in theil
war game. There were none who
would consent 10 be the "Boches"
/ and It was generally only the stronger
| ones who succeeded In impressinI
upon the others their rightful claim
to be the Americans.
The spirit of victory and confidenc,
In the ultimate roUt of the German
forces flames stronger In the heart
OF the French people today than eve
before since the beginning OF tn,
war. Madame Bimont declared.
The entry Of the United States int
the war. she said is looked upon b.
the French as the one power neces
sary to swing the final blow that vii
| bring Germany 10 her knees.
Only One Of Kind.
Only one asylum Of this kind ex
lists in Franco. Madame Bimont de
clqrcd. Here are brought those chill
dren who have been made orphans b!
the war and have suffered such hard
| ships they are in danger Of becoming
invalids.
When brought here the children
ranging in years from TO Is years ir
age. are weak and often on the verge
OF developing tuberculosis.
The asylum is situated on the sea
coast of Brittany and has twelve
dormitories. During the first month
after It was opened siNty-seven chill.
dren were built up and discharged
fifty-seven the second month and