American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-16

10 accept any money from US. Yes,
be knew that we we're Americans and
that we wanted to help France. We
promised to send him blankets when
we got home. something he and his
wife we're entirely without. Wher-
ever We went these poor people, who
had suffered more than any one who
has not seen a country that has been
IN Prussian hands can appreciate, re-
ceived us with the greatest friendli-
ness and confidence.
All the time that we were on our
tour we we're near the firing line
sometimes less than a mile-but we,
like the French peasants. felt that that
stanch French line would hold and
that the Prussians would not again
oyerrun that part Of France. OF
course, we could hear the cannonad-
Ing all'the time. One gets accustomed
TO that.
The military authorities billeted US
for the night wherever it was possible
to find a place that we could stay in,
and they looked out for something for
us to eat when they could. We were
not particular as to what we got.
The one thing that struck me more
than anything else at the time and
which remains constantly in my mem
DRY is the attitude Of the women. They
had suffered so unspeakably, they
we're in such desperate straits, yet
they were not complaining, and they
did not want peace until 1t was OBJ
tanned by righteous victory. They
were wonderful. just as much so in
their way as the French soldier for
his courage. When this war is won
the French women will have to receive
their share of credit for their endur-
ance. their fortitude, their industry
and their devotion to ideals.
Miss Perkins, since her return, has
been trying to make American women
understand conditions in France and
what the people must have to start
life anew. At the head of the com
mittee is Miss Anne Morgan, who
works under the direct authority of
General Petain, the war minister, and
the Red Cross. 1t is in the Aisne dis
trict. where there are hundreds of
thousands Of homeless families that
most of the work of rehabilitation is
being carried on.
Under the auspices of the American
fund for French wounded college girls
and workers of all classes are striv-
ing to r%eestablish these ruined French
homes. In the Sentinel Mrs. A.. NJ,
Dixie, chairman of the civilian com
mittee, also tells graphically of the
devastation and the work of raising
France from the ruins. She says:
Village after village is passed where
nothing is left but a few remnants oil
walls. not a stick of furniture in the
empty shells-silent, deserted ruins
or course we know that the Prussian'
destroyed all - ..umbing, which
car act quickly be replaced, and WI
also know that the unsuspicious look
ing pile of sand may contain danger
GUS explosives purposely hidden there
Here and there. as we proceed. w
pass old men. old women, and chill
dren still clinging to the gaping wall
Of their former homes, and while WI
stop to speak to them soldiers on thu
march pass us, their faces aglov
when they see the American flag OF
our car.
Our quarters are primitive. Fo
, thirty months Prussians have lived il
; these walls. For a little owe a mont
French soldiers were housed here
Now ten American women have mad
il their temporary home. You ca
! not imagine the condition in which W
I found it. For three days, while W
we're waiting for our beds to com
70 from Paris, via the slow railroad an
the slower canton service from NoyoI
? we did some very necessary hous
4 cleaning. We put on u blue blouse
q that completely covered us. and sc
! to work with bits of glass to scrap
the walls and c%upboards. Then W
r. borrowed whitening from the arm
, and washed down the walls of the pa
p vilion and the stables that must TO
e the present act as our warehouse. L
the meantime the minister of the in
, terror sent us two small b-araquementi
which were quickly put up in tn
courtyard, and for which we are deer
81 ly grateful. as it gives us space 70
g our personnel and our cases until on
d~emountable house can be cOnstructeC
over the fine old stone gateway lead
ing TO the ruined chateau. Blera
: Court, our present home. we place
L the sign of our committee. 'Sectio
Civic pour lAisne.'
The mayor and the project and tn
, sous project welcomed our dispensar
{ service. as there are no medicament
e available for civilians. l wish
could take pictures of the twins "
: are trying to save. of the children.
D classes in sewing. cooking. carper