The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-04-13
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

l
 Chamber of Commerce auditorium for
 committee work on the Liberty Loan
 bond issue, being a member or the
 French army under General Brooke, put
 Captain Redd excused me as was asked to preside at the meeting for the Father less Children of France and introduce
 Mile. Rott
 1 I had really enjoyed canvassing with
 hv team for we had such success, not
 in the amount we sold, but in the num- 1 Der and the cheerfulness of those sup i scribing. Tn two days solicitation we met with only one man who was out ol 1 harmony, but he got in tune and LOOK $500 worth, and thereby earned the right to sing America.
 I had dreaded to canvass, but instead of it's being trial, it really proved to be both pleasant and heartening, for l met men Of all types and engaged in various businesses, and yet having one mind' and that to help to the extent of their ability 1 feel that in several instances men bought more than they could afford to, and that to pay for them would call for genuine sacrifice
 We were given one of the office build . ings as a part of our territory. We so- licited every ona In the hallway we saw three young women just outside Of the doors of one of the suites. We stopped and told them our business One had already bought the first and sec
 ond issues. One said she just could not arrange it then. but would do so later. The third one spoke up and said, "Ill take one.'' One of her friends said: II reckon she will; her sweetheart is over there" With flaming cheeks and flashing eyes she swept us with a glance and answered Yes, he is, and I'm proud of him.
 But I started out to tell about the American Society for the Relief of French War Orpans, Inc, the Fatherless Children Of France branch, with head quarters in New York. which was organ ized October, 1915 Now, for months ac- tive committees in 36 of the most impor-
 
 tant cities in the United States have been working to raise funds to support the orphans of the war in France in their own homes. And Birmingham be- ing one or the patriotic cities, of course is in behind the movement.
 America is bound to France by the ten
 derest bonds of symathy. It was La Belle France which came to our help
 when we were fighting for our liberties. There is an indissoluble bond between the American and the French republics. Lafayette IS at last reaping the reward which comes to those who serve unsel- fishly, and our boys are fighting side by side with his descendants on the battle fields of his beloved country. France has won for herself crown oi glory that will never fade as long as
 men revere courage that will not give l in. Today she is fighting for her life, and, thank God, America is going to see that she lives, and that democracy shall not perish from tho face of the earth
 The French soldier has earned death Hess name, but at great sacrifice oi life. Little ones stretch out their baby
 hands across the seas asking us TOT bread
 l In round figures we are asked in this 1 rich land of ours to care for 150, 900 or phans. Now, there is q reason why none | of the children can be brought to this country. More than million and half Frenchmen sleep beneath the lilies of 1 France, victims of Germany's mad Just
 of conquest. Now, the population of France has been stationary for years The birth rate has been low. The chil- dren must remain at home in order to 1 fill up the depleted ranks.
 ! But you can have a boy or girl tor 1 your very own. You can know their names and love them and care for them, although they are thousands of miles away. Any subscriber of $S6.50 will, on of the child to whom the money is sent 1 from the local treasury, and the child will receive the subscribers name and address Through this personal link we are building up between our two peoples l lasting and unbreakable friendship.
 ''The Fatherless Children of France
 gives aid at the following rate during a period of two years. Ten cents keeps a child a day Tn it's mothers home; S a
 month, s36.50 a year. The society wants
 you to adopt one or more. Col T. O.
 mingham Trust and Savings company, is
 the treasurer in Birmingham. Mrs. Henry
 F. Dean is the chairman of the local
 committee.
 l Now, just word about Mile Celine
 Rott the French Red Cross nurse who
 visited Birmingham for the purpose oi
 arousing our interest in the orphaned
 ones of her desolated land As a nurse she is the real thing and not merely pa :, rading around in the becoming costume 1 for advertising purposes. She served four years and is a medalst from the
 French government. for bravery ant | service.
 I I had tho privilege of meeting thu I Princess Radizwill. the Russian who spoke so disconsolately about her un happy land. She was dark and tragi, looking, and her delivery that of grea, ltragedianne. She was big. and bold, ane
 fearless. But how can I describe Mile