The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-21
HELPING THE DISTRESSED.
AMERICAN COLLEGE, GIRL,
WORKING IN FRANCE.
Relieving the Women and Children
I'm section Devastated by Germans


of France devastated by the Germans
before they were forced TO retreat
hast spring by the victorious French
and British troops who had ham,
rnered them on the Somme. The cor
respondent OF The Associated Press
passed a day with the young women
In the war zone where they have ar
rived to install themselves i'm tho
midst of the stricken people. They
have made their headquarters i'm the
grounds OF the Chateau OF Robere
court. There they live in shacks and
portable houses in sight of the black
sned ruins OF the castle burned by
the Germans. From this centre they
go to twelve villages which have been
taken over for relief by the American
college girls. Before the war they
had altogether a population of ap-
proximatoly 1900. Now this has been
reduced to about 1900.
The American angels of mercy" as
the Smith College girls are known
brought with them from America or
purchased tn Paris large stores of ar
ucles OF first necessity for the people.
Many Of the peasants had money
which they had been able to conceal
from the Germans. and these people
were quite willing to pay for articles
provided by the American girls. 9th
srs among the peasants were desti-
tute OF both goods and money. for
these the american girls made chari-
table provision
The girls brought motor trucks
and several Of them are motor driv-
ers., Once or twice a week each OF
tho Villages i'm their district receives
a visit from a party of the girls IL
their trucks which are loaded with
necessities, and these are sold to the
peasants at cost price or less, and thus
many OF the needs of the people are
met. Food. linen. clothing. furniture.
Kitchen utensils and live chickens
and rabbits are most desired.
other branches OF assistance to the
people take the form of n traveli,e,
dispensary. the giving OF medical ad-
vice by the two women doctors from
smith College who are members oc
'he squad. the foundation OF nurscr-
les for the care OF the smaller in
fants while their mothers are work
ing. and the establishment OF play
rooms for the other children.
The care of the children is one OF ,
the most important parts OF tho (
girls work. In the first place, the lit
lie ones have to be retaught TO play.
for iduring the German occupation 5
they were not allowed to do so and
I'm most cases had forgotten how to
amuse themselves In simple games h
IL is wonderful how soon they learn
unde. the American girls encourage
mept and leadership. Then the neg
lected little ones are taken I'm hand II
ana taught tho value of cleanliness
and neatness. For the women much II
help Is provided I'm the way of sewing
classes and instruction in modern
hygiene.
IL Is hoped here that the work OF
thq Smith College girls. forming the
hrsi unit. in cheering up and helping 4
these stricken peasants may be an
Incentive to others TO undertake sim Ii
ilsr labors in the hundreds of vii
lagea which have suffered from the
Getman occupation. Everywhere ia
tho somme and Oisc and other Frenc,
cefartments now partially freed iro.r I
the German troops there are similar Il
opportunities.
Dr. Alice Weld Tallant. OF Phlla-
cetphia, is the dlrectress. ana sse ~
assisted by Dr. Maud Kelly. as assist
AM physician: Miss Lucy O. Mather
OF Hartford, Conn, as secretary: Mis-
Marie WOlfs. OF Newark. y. j.. a Bel
gian refugee. as head of the social
service; Miss Anne Chaplin. of Spring
Held. Mass, on social service and
nursing; Miss Milicent Lewis. of Ir.
vington, y. Y, as a chaulfeuse AMI
ambulance driver; Miss Catherine
Hooper. of Montclair. y. j.. social
service. Miss Marjorie Carr. chauf-
feuse and social service: Miss Ruth
JoSlin. chaufeuse and nurse; Mis-
Marion Bennett. Cambridge. Mass
chauncusc and social service: Miss
Margaret Wood. Pasadena, Cal. as
chfuneuse and i'm care OF children
hfs Ruth Gaines, New York City.
social service and writer: Miss Eliza