New-York tribune., 1918-05-11
Aged and Children, in Flight
Again From Boche, but
Undaunted
Must Do Our Share"
Is Cry From All
Patient Courage Answers
Question: Will Peasants of
the Country Stick?
By Caspar Whitney

>
PARIS. Nav l0.-The valor and en-
sura,ce of the French soldiers in the
limo have often been told and it is an
,ver-inspiring tale, but by way of an
rv.ring the query, will the peasants
~ the country stick ?" I am moved to
.ahie Of the spirit os patient courage
NJ the old men and women. These
Roche victims are adjusting themselves
overwhelmingly to the bitterness of
their sudden compulsory vagrancy.
Their sad experience might easily have
hsen ours had the scene of the German
Sort been unprepared America or the
Hun the winner Of the war.
have just returned from a little
;onrney into the refugee area south
and west of Ansuas, Noyon and Mont
ddier. There the war presents a most
nathetic picture people, repatriated
after three years under the German
heel. now abandoning their crops and
stock and rehabilitated houses, and
fleeing homeless. penniless and all but
homeless rather than again endure
pocho domination. This is tragic
bon,ilv on Boche rule from those who
have experienced it.
Refugees Resigned
Aged men ard women and children,
scattering before the devastating horde,
carrying their bundled possessions
with q heavy heart but with sublime
,esenation r'sa to the crual vicissitudes of
the struggle, are taking their final de-
liyerance.
Everywhere women weighted with
packs with children toddling at their
hand or stringing behind, each with a
little load, 60 ever moving on in be-
reayeG, silent, impressive procession.
Determination is writ strong on every
saddened, questioning face.
AT the crossroads where l Joined the
procession there was a considerable
group relating their experiences. One
woman was literally crying aloud in her
distress: eyes, yes, it is terrible! My
Godl 1t is terrible! Rut our so1dic1s
are brave and strong and will kill the
Boche ard give US back our homes"
At one place near an old house
where two women and an old man
searched fruitlessly, alas, to see If any
thing entire remained to them Of their
home, they replied to sympathetic on
lockers: "But yet we must all suffer
until the Bcche has been exterminated,
and then only shall we be free again"
Over and over I saw these scenes
and heard the sentiment "The Boche
will be driven away. We must do our
share. It is the war" On trains TAX
ing them away, on the roads and in the
camps deep sorrow sat upon all, but
the worst and the abiding faith that
their soldiers would save them from
the Boche yoke.
France Caring for Wanderers
France is caring for these poor wan
dering souls. tenderly and intelligently
In the towns nearest to the line of
retreat from the evacuated districts
local committees are receiving, feeding
and clothing them. They are being
greatly assisted by the American Red
Cross, which has built temporary rest
houses and distributed supplies. All
formerly independent units, working in
the reconstructed sections, have joined
forces, so by tangible evidence to ex-
press Americas prompt and effective
help and unity in this common cause.
Thousands have thus passed through
these clearing stations during the last
Six weeks and have been distributed
to the south. To-day their numbers
have been reduced to hundreds, as the
smaller settlements have been relieved
Of the first flight
1t is a privilege to bear witness to
the courage and resolution of that
afflicted, brave people. Everywhere
amcng the country folk behind the
guns that are fighting the greatest
battle of the war felt the spirit of
sacrifice and Of confidence in final
triumph. Across the silent fields the
heart Of France beats in unison with
Nose in the trenches.
Here Is no idleness. From the wom-
en- fetChInr rIcn fnr tho
sommissary to the railroad construc-
non gangs is a panorama of a people
working fixedly at top speed, each with
ms share in the fight for the liberty
Which they cherish and intend to re-
MIn. Among them the soldiers and
batteries and motor lorries, ever
threading their way toward the boom
mg cannon, are an inspiration and a
comfort.
Spirit of Wounded Americans
Close by this pulsing activity is the
Su!et cleanliness of a large hospital.
thrilled me to find reflex of the
same spirit among some of the
Wounded Americans. AS l sat on one
Fellows bed, telling him how proud
america was of its boys of the first
sa'vision, who had carried Old Glory
asHso americas first serious engage
sment alongside of the French, one who
sao lost an arm and leg said to me:
wouldn't have given that leg for
~ there is in France, except for just
nat we came to France for"
the sentiment and spirit of that
ssoy OF twenty-three, lying on his back
sha looking into a crippled future, is
sMaicatlve of Americas new growing
Mmy, we have indeed found our ma
fonal soul.
Mihe French are mighty good to these
spuhded boys. Our nurses cannot do
'sssSoueh They are ever at hand to
Mswer their slightest sign. There is
Welding union, ssteadfast and COM
Ssaehending, through all this wonderful
.,,n asson OF suffering. And on the lips of
~ Is the hope that America will soon
PINE to their aid in her full great