The Cordova daily times., 1917-11-30
SMITH COLLEGE GIRLS DOING
 GOOD WORK
(By Associated Press)


 ulations of those districts of France devastated by the Germans before they were forced to retreat last spring by the victorious French and British troops who had hammered them on the Somme. The cores pondent of The Associated Press pass ed a day with the young women in the war zone where they have arriv- ed to install themselves in the midst of the stricken people. Theye have made their headquarters in the grounds of the Chateau of Robere- court. There they live in shacks and portable houses in sight of the black ened ruins of the castle, burned by the Germans. From this center they go to twelve villages which have been taken over for relief by the American college girls Before the war they had altogether population of approx imately 4,600. Now this has been re- duced to about 1,200
 The American angels of mercy" as the Smith college girls are known brought with them from America or purchased in Paris large stores of ar ticles of first necessity for the peo- pie. Many of the peasants had money which they had ben able to conceal from the Germans, and these people were quite willing to pay for articles provided by the American girls. 9th CTS among the peasants were destitute of both goods and money and for these the American girls made charit- able provision.
 The girls brought motor-trucks, and several of them are motor drivers Once or twice a week each of the viii lages in their district receives a visit from a party of the girls in their trucks which are loaded with necessi- ties, and these are sold to the peas ants 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 travelling dispensary, the giving of medical ad- vice by the two women doctors from Smith college who are members of the squad, the foundation of nurseries for the care of the smaller infants while their mothers are working, and the establishment of play-rooms for the other children. l The care of the children is one of the most important parts of the girls work. In the first place, the little ones have to be retaught to play, for during the German occupation they were not allowed to do so and in most cases had forgotten how to amuse themselves in simple games. It is wonderful how soon they learn under the American girls, encouragement and leadership. Then the neglected little ones are taken in hand and taught the value of cleanliness and neatness. For the women much help | is provided in the way of sewing classes and instruction in modern hy- l giene.
 l It is hoped here that the work of the Smith college girls, forming the l first unit, in cheering up and helping | these stricken peasants may be an incentive to others to undertake sim | liar labors in the hundreds of villages which have suffered from the Ger man occupation. Everywhere in the Somme and Disc and other French departments now partially freed from the German troops there are similar opportunities.
 Dr. Alice Weld Tallant, of Phila- delphia, is the directrice, and she is i assisted by Dr. Maud Kelly, as assist ant physician; Miss Lucy o. Mather, of Hartford, Conn.,, as secretary; Miss Marie Wolfs, of Newark, N. J.. Bel. glan refugee, as head of the social service; Miss Anne Chapin, of Spring field, Mass, on social service and l