New Britain herald., 1918-06-12

! ItlulN TOT so lOllS, llll when we l give them our good chocolate with 1 sugar in ii, they eNclaim with pleas ure like children. Our three other ! CantineS were requisitiOned by the ] army, in a moment of terrible diffi- Culty-hOW glad we were to be able l to offer them. We have opened an 1 intirmary for the wounded opposite 1 the cantine, here we care for lost ! soldiers, tired soldiers, soldiers with l letters to write, questions to be an l sWered In the villa. where we were l immediately lodged by the army we 1 have a dlspenSary for civilians who 1 are Ill, and the very i'll ones are 1 taken to a hospital at Villers Cot ] terets twenty kilometers away This l villa is destined to become the home 1 of the American Women's hospital; l in the meantime we are using it for l the present emergency. The commit { tee of the Aisne DeNastee has asked l us to take over all their villages, as they feel unequal to the task of l carrying on the work. This gives us | the entire Aisnc, the first and second ary zones to the southern limit of the department.
 Our livestock is housed on farm given us by the ministry of agricul-
 
 collect belonging to our refugees, as well as our own. We have bought back two small grocery shops we had established, and sent the proprietors to the interior with a little ready cash. I think this was one of the funniest episodes that occurred, and incidentally kept us alive to the com edy that always plays close to tragedy. We needed it. To see this strange collection of potted meat, wine and cheese, relieves the tedium of grinding and roasting coffee for the cantinos.
 One of the officers of French army headquarters called to express their thanks and appreciation for what the l unit had done. The minister of Blocus and Pays Devastes visited us yesterday for the same purpose, and we have been asked by the ministry of war to organize as quickly as pos sible another such unit for Alsace, and another in the north. all of which we hope and want to do, be- cause we see and understand better than ever before what American SUD- port means in this terrible war. When life is a bit smoother for us, l shall examine the proposition of the
  At a meeting yesterday of the min- stry of Blocus, the prefecture and ourselves, it was decided to continue with increased spirit and interest the work of cultivation of the land It becomes in fact one of our most imperative duties, in view of the fact that none of us know how much longer this state of war is going to exist. Today I had a meeting of the principal farmers of our region, those of them who were living too near the firing line have sent off their families and remained to see the question through with us of what is to be done to "carry on" They are prepared to live on the farm assigned to us, and help in the care of the livestock until certain important questions have been decid- ed. Two of our workmen, and the petit mutile who is in charge of our incubators, are also farming. Hay has to be found for the horses, straw and beet roots for the rabbits and goats. An appalling amount of work, and so much to organize before we can have order again, but daylight is coming. Our other two workmen will remain at the chateau as guard ian and whenever an empty army camion is coming in our direction or ders are given to call first at the chateau to bring us any supplies we may need for distribution. For this, and many other reasons. which can not be told here, but which would show you the perfect harmony and understanding between the Comite Americain and the army, We would all willingly sacrifice everything to show our appreciation and gratitude. With mobilized farm labor, and agricultural loans on a semi-philan- thropic basis to farmers we can carry on while the great army fights the cause of the Allies We have shown that we meant, and still mean to stand by--while our own American army is in preparation. This terrible crisis has demonstrated to us all, and by that l mean as we'll to the Red Cross, that there is great need of a thoroughly big platform for civilian affairs in France. The humanitarian roll now is to "carry on"
 Every member of that unit is well, and it is absolutely marvellous what each one has done. That awful Palm Sunday, one of our best m embers developed humps! It nearly broke her heart to leave us, but she is rapid ly recovering In Paris and we hope soon to have her with us again.
 The most touching sight, of which none of us can trust ourselves to speak, Is our little fruit trees in leaf, and the soldiers as they pass, read the tags on each "A. F. F. w. Civilian D1vison" smile at us, and pass on to the front line
 We shall win.
 Greetings
 ANNE DYKE
 Director in France