Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-25
NEW JOAN OF ARC COMES
TO RESCUE OF FRANCE
Peasant Girl Owes Tier I'nmc to I.ro,h-
estes Concerning Events OF
the War,
international News Burcau.1
by ANDRE RICHARD.

international News Bureau1
by ANDRE RICHARD.
AT the beginning OF the war there
was miracle in Francc-tho miracle
OF tho Marine.
People Of faith in Franco still call
it by that name. And they believe
also, that before the end. in these DAYS
or her final proving. Franco will see
another miracle.
The belief has lately been reinforced
by the strange rumors that have arisen
In connection with the recent fervent
celebration of the grcat.CathoIic feast
OF the Sacred Heart
1t is said that a new Joan of Arc has
come to save France.
Who is she? Where is she TO be
found? What are the visible tokens OF
her mission?
Her name is Claire Ferchaud and she
Is twenty-five years old.
She Is more young peasant humble
obscure. like her great spiritual profo-
type. But in provincial Catholic circles
her name is already something of
power.
Claire Ferchaud is the daughter OF
well-to-do peasants, whose family have
titled the ancestral homestead for
countless generations. Like the Puzzle
of Orleans. she was born in n hilly,
wooded country prop!tious to deep
meditation. She has three brothers.
two of them fighting for their dear
France. and two sisters, one OF whom
is a nun at Nantes.
M. Ferchauds farm belongs to the
parish Of Loubiande. whose total popu-
lation is 500 souls. Tho nearest rail-
road station is Cholct. close to the
border OF Anjou. Potion and vendec.
4 brunette. OF medium height, with n
face more pleasant than handsome, tho
F;rI Is true daughter of that old
Vendeen race so justly reputed for It's
fierce energetic religious fervor. Its
tenacious love of traditions.
What are the reasons of her fame?
She owes 1t to her prophecies cor
corning the war. manv OF which have
proved true: to her religious eHnltatior
which she has materialized into litera "
works worthy Of st. Therese: to ic-
fervent patriotism that has made he:
bold enough to approach statesmen and
rcnerals md show them by what means
they could save France.
IN devout circles IT Is believed that
Christ. under the image OF the Sacred
Heart. has appeared and spoken to NJ"
frequently in the little church o:
Lomblande.
HER GIFTS OF PROPHECY
SEEM TO BE; USoUESTIONABLE
Claire's Gifts of prophecy seem t. be
unGuestionable.
1t is absolutely beyond doubt thas.
at the end of 1916. she announced -tnat
members OF the government and other
powerful politicians were plotting
against France. and that revolutionary
acts and military sections would have
10 he punished soon.
AS the recent case Of the Bonnet
Rouge" and the Bo!n trial have amLly
proved very Influential. well-organ-
lied gang actually tried. during tho
spring OF 1917. to promote a mutiuy
on a large scale.
II is not less authentic that Claire
Ferchaud. at the beginning of this
wear. warned several generals that the
front would soon he pierced. contrary
10 the theory of the unbeatable line
which was then generally held among
experts.
Let me mention another prediction:
the prophecies believes she will die at
twenty-four. her mission completed
The Catholic clergy have been deerlv
moved by the young peasants religious
eNaltation and her apparitions.
BISHOP SOON BECANIE
STASCHEST PROTECTOR
The Bishop OF Poilers. increduIous at
FIRST. sool became her stanchcst pro-
tector. He introduced her to the Car
dinal Archbishop Of Bordeaux. who
cross examined her in his palace and
could not conceal later on that her
replies had filled him with IAN intense
admiration"
Then in February last. the interest
OF Pope Benedict was aroused He in.
structed one OF the most learned the.
ologians of the church. Father IIugon.
TO open an inquiry into the case Of t..s
viSionnaire.
Father Hugon's report has not herr
published yet: but well-informed pe,-
sons assure me that it proclaims thu,
none might entertain any suspicion on
me subiimity of her inspirations. on
me orthodoXy, theological science AMI
mEshcal elevation of her writings
1t is also beyond doubt that very
hish personagcs have either granted
her privatehearinEs or called unon hcr
in her native hamlet
She was introduced to President Poin.
care by the deputy of Vendee. and II 10
not less beyond doubt that one of tho
French generals who won fame at
Verdun made the long journey TO Loub-
lande.
am told that quite recently. Claire
Ferchaud called on NJ. Clemenceau.
our, busy Premier (who was not quite
religious mani consented to hear her
for five minutes" but yielded to tba
mystical charm f hi- young compatrio1
tor ne is Vendeen himself) and re-
NAMED talking with her for n fun
hour. L am even told that she urged
MN TO recall into active service Gem
cral Al. brought into disgrace last
year owing to the intrigues of certain
politicians, assuring him in the name
of the Sacred Heart that he would soon
lead our troops TO victory.
y few weeks later, General NJ
stopped the boche onrush In front or
Compiegne. saving Paris and perhaps
France.
On the other hand. no rule could pre-
vent the soldiers from wearing it con
their" person. and many thousands OF
poiius have pinned on their breast n
fnr tn
deVout habit has been adopted by civil
lians everywhere In France Even in
Paris you see the emblem on countless
persons.
Claire Ferchaud &C mes to Paris very
rarely, and then only to visit tho
Church of the Sacred Heart on the top
of Montmartre
She travels always in strict incognito.
accompanied by relatives or disciples.
who protect her against public inouis-
ttiveness. Then she hastens back to
Loublande, where she has founded a
religious order withsgirls of her age.