New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-03

On July 81, 1914, the schools were closed
for the summer holidays: two days later the
war broke out From one end Of the terri
tory 10 the other millions Of hearts were IN
spired by one unanimous sentiment, ana inc
sons of France the immortal rose Ike one
man to meet the barbarians who had resolved
TO surprise her treacherously and enslaye
her.
The onslaught Of the enemy broke against
the heroic resistance Of the soldiers of the
Marine and the schools reopened their doors
az the date fixed. But the classrooms were
no longer closed to the outside din. Inc
! thought of war was present TO every soul
and gave new turn 70 school work IL rose
up at every line and every word or lesson
recalling necessarily to the memory OF the
children their fathers and brothers under
arms for the general safety. The masters re-
counted, too, the horrors and crimes perpe-
trated and repeated by the invaders OF Bel
GUM and our northern provinces and, while
young hearts quiyered with most just hatred,
they expanded also with most ardent pity.
Impatient of the least delay, they have di-
rected their generosity to the alienation OF
the misery Of which they compr' hended the
overwhelming injustice. Week by week, sou
by sou, the French school children have
brought their masters sums Of money which
amount to an enormous war contribution.
For instance. the total collected in two years
If, the primary schools of the Seine is reck-
oped at 100000 francs.
The Governments Appeal
As soon as the government had decided TO
open a second war loan the Minister Of Pub
lie instruction addressed the following CIR
crlsr to the rectors and inspectors OF the
Academy: 49,.
Paris October 10. 1916.
hav. had pictures illustrative OF the loan dis
tributed In the primary schools. The teachers nave
commented upon them before their classes. and l
feel sure that their words have awakened an ei-
fective echo in the families of the children. "a IN
the last year. the masters in the three grades OF IN
struction will address themselves 20 the adult ana
will give lectures TO explain TO every citizen what
is his duty at this hour.
They will not limit themselves to words; tney
will act As in the last year. they VIII engage
their pupils TO associate themselves for the purchase
of the newly issued bonds which will 20 10 swell
the capital of tho funds of the schools and national
educational establishments and OF all our JOINT IN
sututions They will thus be able 10 found an an
nual national defence prize in every school And |
count on their inventive powers to suggest the most
useful employment of the sums collected by them
on the occasion OF the loan.
You will be kind enough TO inform me. rs they
come in of tn. suggestions which you would think
Advisable to adopt generally. Then in the course
Of December you will address me a detailed report
Of the results OF the campaign, which | ask our
teachers to prosecute with their full patriotic
ardor. PAUL PAINLENE.
The appeal Of the minister was not made
in vain.
In every lycee, college and school of
France, during the second fortnight of Octo-
Ter, the work of the classes was directed 70
showing the Importance of the great duty
that the country laid upon her children.
Reading lessons, dictations, compositions,
Latin versions even were turned into means
for explaining the necessity of the loan, its
mechanism, its advantages. All the masters
made their pupils learn "The Appeal TO the
French" an ardent passage from the speech
pronounced in the Chamber Of Deputies on
September IA, 1916, by VI. Ribot, Financial
Minister.
And to conclude, few days before the
loan was closed NJ. Paul Painleve, Minister
OF Public Instruction, addressed another elo-
qrent and vigorous appeal to the members
of our teaching profession:
Paris. October %. 1914.
The Minister of Public Instruction, OF the Fine
Arts and Of Inventions applying 20 National De-
fence to the professors and teachers Of France:
In a few days the subscriptions TO the loan will
be closed The confidence and patriotism Of the
country have fully responded to the appeal of gov
eminent: but it is essential that the financial
power OF France should. after two years Of war,
affirm itself as VIGOROUSLY the power of her
arms.
Il is on our schoomasters and schoomistresses,
il is on the teachers in all the grades Of cduca-
ton. it is on their moral authority. on their ever
persuasive and effective propaganda. that it is in
cumbent to urge the backward to their duty. He
who is capable OF subscribing TO the loan and does
not subscribe is deserter he abandons his brothers
al the front Far from shortening the war. an
Infamous movement claims he prolongs il: IL he
does not rob us OF victory, which no longer