Evening journal., 1918-07-12

A war philanthropy that has done
probably as much as any relief effort
In the interests OF France, the French
Heroes Lafayette Memorial Fund, OF
which Mrs. William Astor Chanlcr, OF
New York. Is the president, and John
Morat. the executive chairman, has So
lecicd today Bastilo Day, 20 make pub
Ito tho annual report OF the fund, which
has lust been issued In the form OF a
year book prepared by Mrs. Chanler.
Not tho least interesting OF the un-
dertaklngs OF the fund Is the estab-
llshment OF school for tho children
OF French soldiers killed in battle and
by which means, II Il planned to Gre
ate ties between the rising generation
OF French and American youths which
shall be lndlsoluble There has also
been established az the birthplace o,
the great Lafayette, a museum IN
which win be placed the priceless rel
los that so closely link Amert.s With
her suffering sister republic across the
sea.
The old Lafayette home. known as
the Chateau de Chavanlac Lafayette, To-
Gated In the province OF Auvergne,
France, Is one OF the most beautiful es-
tates In France and centuries old. II
wss purchased by the fund" togeth-
er with a large farm belonging to II
as a fitting setting In which % record
Americas appreciation for France, as
well as for an expression OF apprecia-
tion for the many benefits she has con-
ferred upon America. IL Is being sup
ported by popular subscriptions, gifts
from generous and pstriotic Americans
but the fund Is now working for an
endowment, which It says Is essential
TO enable II to conduct the school and
carry out the far-rsaching plans al
ready perfected.
Since the organization OF the French
Heroes Fund two years ago, the or
ganlzers have been cautiously feeling
their way upward, psusing here and
there 20 extending a hand OF mercy TO
the suffering women and children OF
France, and laying the foundation for
the broader work that the fund ex-
poets 10 accomplish for future genera
tions.
The museum was the original aim.
which Will contain OF the French and
American revolutions, many OF these
priceless treasures already being In
place. including Lafayette's pistols CIV
en- TO him by General Washington. In
other words, Chateau de Csavaniac
will be a Mount Vernon In France, an
institution that year by year is ex-
pected 10 be OF greater and greater his
torical value, that Will be the living
and ever green memorial OF what La
fayette did for America. Relics and
documents OF the day, to form in years
10 come, that great epoch in history
when America sent her sons IN hun
dreds OF thousands, 10 the French FIR
ing line TO maintain Liberty for France
as France had helped to preserve ours
more than a century before.
Out Of this idea OF a Fronch Mount
Vernon grew another and broader
thought Inspired by the present day
needs OF suffering France. The Idea
was so compelling that It seemed 70
the Organizers OF the museum thst II
much succeed. The fund was In pos
session OF an historic and beaurful
chateau, situated among acres OF Inc
most wonderful farm lands In the
lovellest part Of France. Why not make
II Of greater service2 they questioned
What greater service could the
French Heroes Fund and the Lafayette
Museum render TO humanity than tc
direct its efforts toward building up
race OF notable Frenchmen for the
coming generation, men who should be
inspired by the examples OF Washing
ton and Lafayette?
To do this, to start the great work
1uI oh
purpose it is TO train the sons OF
Frenchmen killed in battle, 70 become
better and yet greater Frenchmen IN
the days 10 come. This school Is now
In full operation. One Of its purposes
Is 10 develop, through a thorough
training in the English language and
in the principles Of American institu-
tions. a better understanding between
France and America. These youne
men who will eventually go out into
the world and become figures In France
q few years hence, viii have much u
do. it Is believed, in bringing France
and America even closer together than
they are today.
Another part OF the work done there
IS the establishment Of a preventor-
lum for delicate boys. There the funl
will take the boys who might mol
otherwise grow 10 stalwart manhood
and by care and training develop then
into sturdy youths.
A part OF this training has 70 dc
with the farm itself, which It Is pro
posed 10 turn into a model farm, anf
on which the French boys will bl
taught conservation and the mos
l.. - frarr haHN NnFIIN .
n is. believed France may eventually
increase her agricultural output tre-
mendously. American agricultural ma,
chlnery OF the latest development, viii
be used there so that the students may
famillarize themselves with 1t. 1t Is
planned eventually to take a certain
humber Of American youths, sons OF
American soldiers who have fallen In
battle, into the school as a sort OF ex-
change, and TO train them In the ways