The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-05-04

On every side are war time inter-
ests and activities.
Not chiefest among these, but wor-
thy Of, coordinate attention wher-
ever circumstances will permit, is the
interest and aid in behalf of the little
ones of France.
The quickly sympathetic heart Of
America is beating responsive to the
grief and desolation of the widows
and fatherless children of that war
SCARED country by cooperating with
the excellent plan for help which
comes from our sister republic.
An explanatory paragraph may
prove of interest to those who do not
know Of this organized system for
caring for these unfortunate children.
French war orphans areldivided in.
to two classes. First, those who
lived in invaded districts, and whose
homes were devastated are grouped as
the children of the frontier are
cared for by the government of
France in institutions; second, the
children of all other districts whose
fathers have died in battle but who
have mothers and homes and but lit
tie lse, are called "the fatherless chill.
dren OF France. OF these there are
$50 900 and $4,000 mothers left penni-
less to support them. 1t is in the
care Of this group that Americans are
asked to share. Over 100 years ago,
when we were but the embryo of a
republic, France came to our aid and
rendered US incalculable assistance.
Today, from the silent mounds that
dedicate the sacred soil OF France
comes to us the mute call of her dead
sons, Il gave my life. Will you help
my little ones?" And America does
not forget.
France recognizes that the home is
the unit, and the proper environment
for the up.bringing Of her children.
To this end the French government
gives to each of these "fatherless
children" a pension Of Is cents per
day. This proving inadequate to meet
the closest running expenses OF keep.
ing the home together. a national
committee was organized, adopting the
name "The Fatherless Children OF
France" for the provision of supple
mentary aid. OF this society. Mar
shall Joffre, the hero of the Marine,
and whose chief concern is the vel.
fare Of the children Of his valiant sol
diers, is the president. Crystalized,
the plan of this committee is to have
each of these little ones "adopted'
by individuals or societies who Will
interest themselves in developing
from these war children a generation
of physical and intellectual strength,
young men and women who will be
fit followers of their fathers as the
people of the new France
This organization has American
branches in all our larger cities, and
through these branches, "adoptions'
are daily growing To adopt a little
one of France is to become its Amer
lean friend, and to contribute to its
maintenance in its own home with Its
mother. The actual cost of support
ing a child one day is 10 cents, one
month So and one year $3.50. The
name and address of the little pro-
tege are given to its American bene'
factor, permitting direct correspond
eace with either the child or its moth
er. A student of French in the vari-
GUS branches translates to English or
French, as the correspondents may re-
quire. What gift can bring the giver
greater Joy than knowing that he is
fitting one of the little victims of war
to fill place of honor and trust in
the France that is to come when rea-
son shall once more descend upon the
frenzied brains of the Huns. Many
fraternal societies throughout the
United States are adopting an or
phan where individual adoption seems
difficult with other war obligations.
Chicago has adopted 10000 of these
children. -
In large way, Bismarck has not
taken this matter up, but it will be
remembered that at the Christmas
and Easter seasons benefit greeting
cards were sold at 10 cents each, the
cost of supporting one child one day.
In this response, it was beautiful to
note the eager attitude of our own
kiddies. During the past week an
earnest little band of Boy Scouts, rep.
resenting the Sunday school class OF
Miss Orr, has provided. for the pres
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