Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-27
FRENCH WOMEN PLEAD
TO KEEP HOMES INTACT
Ask Sisters of Neutral Nations to
Unite in Solemn Protest Against
Deportation.

An appeal of the women of France
to the women of all countries" to unite
in solemn protest against the way the
homes of Europe are being wrecked by
the deportations carried on by the Ger
mans has reached this country. 1t is
signed by the National Council of
French Women and other women's or
CARNATIONS of France. representing
more than million French women. It
sets forth that under the German yoke
women of France, Belgium and Serbia
are being torn from their husbands and
children by the invader for 1.-THE serv-
ice of his officers. or mills or trenches"
In order to insure their position
the women of the world must unite at
this time against the actions of the
Germans, the appeal states.
The appeal is as follows:
Among the solemn protests which
the whole world is raising against the
deportations, French women wish that
their voices should be heard.
How can they help trembling with
Indignation as they learn that. under
the German yoke. there disappears all
They learn that women of France, of
Belgium and Serbia and others still
have been or are to be torn cruelty
from their husbands and children
whenever the invader needs them for
the service of his officers or mills or
trenches.
Among all the enemy's crimes, not
one so chokes with anxiety the heart
of woman. Is is not round the woman
that every civilization has grouped the
family? Is is not the long patience of
woman that, through the centuries, has
defended the intimacy of home, the
weakness Of childhood. the morality Of
youth?
Ask Women to Join Protest.
This is why we invite women-all
women-to Join in our protest. All
are enlightened. not one can be ig-
| norant of international laws slowly
wrought out for the safeguard of non
combatants. and none can be ignorant
that. by the very avowal OF those who
are responsible, such laws have been
trampled under foot
The stirring protests Of the highest
political. social and religious authori-
| ties have been unable to stop these
| brutal dispersions. The criminal gov
ernments pursue them, counting on the
| fear or apathy of the peoples.
Are they to have the support OF
| women's silence7 Shall women for
| get that the respect of another's right
| is the surest guarantee OF our own
right. and that-should history in its
returns expose to like dangers other
| generations and other peoples-they
and their daughters could life up their
voices neither to complain nor in male
diction?
ITO whatever country she may be-
long-ally. neutral or enemy-each
woman must acknowledge her respon-
sibiIity. To be silent is to absolve the
soldiers who violate homes and arrest
passersby to choose their victims-it
is to become their accomplish. To be
silent is forever to renounce all appeal
to right and treaties. all demand that
| to private or to public action there
shall be given the authority of a moral
| foundation.
who is the woman that will refuse
| to hear our appeal and judge savagery:
! LET all those whose home Is resrected
unite In one movements Of justice and
| compassion. From the height of their
| anguish and sorrow, our sisters, vic
| Tins of force, can now hope for help
only from the conscience of the world