Evening star., 1917-10-28
Of The Star.


PARIS, October IA. 1917.
- - OF can travel across all France
W and not hear the name of
Claire Perchaud spoken aloud.
q The Paris papers mention her
only occasionally.
Sic is supposed to be living with
the Sisters Of Wisdom, in the Avenue
fictor-Hugo. Paris; and, although
thousands have tried in vain TO see
her. no crowds collect to watch the
passing of the mysterious young peas
ant girl, Of whom il has been said
over all the world that she is new
Joan of Arc, commanded in visions to
lead the French to victory over the
Germans.
She goes daily to the great Church
of the Sacred Heart. at Montmartre,
accompanied by two sisters. but how
recognize her. They slip unperceived
doubtedly her Paris residence is
changed from time to time. None may
interview her. The French clergy may
not speak of her for publication. or
even in the pulpit. The ecclesiastical
authorities have ordered silence for
the moment Is this the new maid Of
whom the papers were full last March?
Is this the wonderful country girl who
picked out the Bishop of Poitiers die
Kuised as parish priest {as Joan did
with the dauphin). and said to the vicar.
dressed in episcopal robes: You are
not the one" Joan did with the
page-ooy?
All seems forgotten. But down there.
beyond the Loire. in the field of the
Perchaud farm, where Claire claims TO
her
cession of country folks arrives. on
foot or in country dog-carts BY train.
from Chinon and Anglers. come town
people in mass, old folks. young folks,
women. girls and amy number of SOL
diers of the front, on their "perInis-
sions. They come silent. whisper.
They know just what they want.
In the field there is tiny farm
chapel. mere stone hut, for prayer.
Its floor is Uttered with big baskets.
of soldiers. Last March there wer.
10000 photographs. Today there are
5000 photographs. All soldiers Of the
front, in danger.
Nothing is forgotten. All is. simply,
Waiting, silent.
II is a strange story Early last March
all France was stirred by the reported
appearance of another Joan of Arc in
the person OF a young peasant girl
named Claire Perchaud, who claimed
that it had been revealed to her in Wis
ions that she was ordained to put her
self at the head of the French armies
Gas it was then popularity said) and
drive out the German invader.
The interest increased enormously
when the Catholic Church. with what
seemed obvious belief in the genuine
ness of Claire Perchaud. took charge
of her, put her in the house of these
nuns of Paris, and tas was given out
textually at the archbishopric) began
10 make "a profound inquiry into all
the circumstances of the visions of
Claire Perchaud." Until such inquiry
should be completed. strict secrecy was
snjoined on all her relatives and the
clergy who had interviewed her or
might interview her.
In particular, the well known deputy
(congressman). Jules Delahaye, in
whose election district are situated
Cholet and Chinon and whose family
chateau il close to the Perchaud farm.
talked freely to his fellow members of
the Palais- Bourbon Of these wonderful
happenings and declared that 'he could
see nothing ridiculous in the spectacle
or people faithful enough to its ira
Citions to aspire to the renewing of the
most beautiful page Of its history and
to seek, with soul and eyes, the Maid"
In a controversy Of the Cri de Paris