The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-11-17
COLLEGE GIRLS ARE
AIDING HOMELESS IN
DEVASTATED FRANCE
American Angels Of Mercy Are
Doing Much 10 Relieve the Dis.
tress of Those Upon Whom the
Cruel Hand of War Has Fallen.
BY associated Press.

BY associated Press.
French Front. Nov. tL-A small
band Of Smith College girls IN mother
sns Ia distressed populations OF those
districts OF France devastated by the
Germans before they were forced to
retreat last spring ny the victorious
French and British troops who had
hammered them on the somme. The
correspondent, Of the Associated Press
passed a day with the young women
in the war zone where they has arr
rived 10 install themselves In the
midst OF the stricken people. They
have made their headquarters in The
OF the Chat~au Of Robcre-
court There they live In shacks and
portable houses In alEhi OF the black
ened ruins % the castle, burned by
the Germans. From this mt they
20 to twelve villages which have been
taken over for relief by the American
college girls. Before the war they
had altogether a population OF $500.
Now his has been reduced TO about
1900.
The American angels OF mercy"
- ~ y &VAiaEI |tNAH ~ -
brought with them from America or
purchased Ia Paris large stores OF ar
ticles OF first necessity for the pso-
pie. Many Of the peasants had mon
ey which they had been able 10 con-
zeal from the Germans, and these
people were quite willing TO pay for
articles provided by the American
girls. Others among the peasants
were destitute OF both goods and
money and for these the American
girls made charitable provision.
The girls brought motor trucks, and
several OF them are motor drivers
once or twice "A week each OF the viii
lagos In their district receives a visit
from a party OF he girls In their
trucks which are loaded with neces-
stiles. and these are sold 20 the peas
ants al 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 10 the
people take the form Of a travelling
-dispensary. the giving Of medical sd-
vie by the two women doctors from
ElilNhn ANAAfNN w ~ IAfiiANfAE ~
the squad, the foundation Of nurser-
les for the care Of the smaller in
fants while their mothers are work
ing. amt the establishment Of play
rooms for the other children.
The care of the children Is one Of
the most important parts of The girls
work. In the first place, the little
ones have 20 be rewuFhi 10 play, Tor
during the German occupation they
were not allowed 10 60 80 and IN most
cases q forgotten how az RmuHe
themselves Ia simple games II IL
wonderful how soon they learn under
the American girls announcement
md leadership. Then the neglected
little one are taken IN hand and
taught tho value Of cleanliness and
neatness. Fol the women much help
l. provided in the way 0f sewing
glasses and instruction IN modern
hygiene
II is hoped here hat tho work of
smith College girls. forming the first
unit. In cheering up ana helping these
stricken peasants may be m Incentive
90 others 90 undertake similar labors
~ the hundreds 81 villages which
have suffered from the German oc-
enpatIon. Everywhere IN the somme
ana Disc and other French depart
ments nov partially freed from the
German troops there are similar OPP
p%artunities.
De Alice Weld Tallant. Of Phiin-
delphia. IL the dircctrice. and she u
assisted by Dr. Maud Kelly, as assist
ant physician; Minis Lucy o. Mather.
az Hnrfford. Conn, a. Hecretnry' Miss
Marie VOLTS. bf Newark y J. a Hell
rtan refugee, as head Of the social
service. Miss Anne Chaplin, Of Spring
flsla, Mass, on social service and