The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-22
Madame Cecile Sartoris, Founder And
 of Capt. Sartors Who is the Grandson of Gen. Grant
By DOLLY pALRYMPLE

| 1 II Vanderbilt sits day after day, work ing with all her might and main for her beloved France, giving practically all of her own vast fortune and enlisting the interest of all, those who have looked to France for the best in literature, art, and music. a Charming French woman whom by way of introduction I may mention, is Madame Cecile Sartoris, wife of Capt. Algernon Sartoris, now fight ing Tn France with our American troops, son of Nellie Grant Sartoris, and grand son of General Ulysses S. Grant.
 A Parisienne to her finger tips, Mad anne Sartoris has all the charm ana grace of mind and manner which is pro- verbally attributed to the French wom- an; her youth and ready wit, her wide Knowledge of men, women and things, her social, literary and artistic gifls making her one of the most interesting as well as one of the most dominant fig ures of the day.
 Madame Sartoris came to New York early last March for the purpose of spreading propaganda regarding the one thing that her heart and soul are inn mersed in at the present moment-the restoration of the devastated French dis trlct, where once stood the most pala- tial of ehauteaux, cathedrals, unfversi- tles and public institutions of historical interest. She means to go back to her beloved France early in July for brief report of her work, and then again America will claim her and an active campaign will be inaugurated all over the United States for this particular war measure in which she is interested
 When Madame Sartoris, with her di- llclousiy fascinating accent, her verve ana charming manner, with now and then d note of pathos in her voice, tells you of how her beloved countrymen ana women with all they have suffered are not disheartened, but merely says, with shrug of the shoulders, "Cest Ia guerre,' your heart straightway goes out in sympathetic affection to those brave people whose legend is emphasized on the seal of the French restoration fund "qui vive"-and beside the growing cock are the words, La Marne," 'La Somme,'' "Vcrdun," .LAisne" and who knows what others may be added from that district of desolation. and how soon where homeless and destitute amid the ruins live those noble people who are in hourly danger of the brutal and bar barrie Huns
 The restoration of the devastated dis tricts of France after the war will be accomplished under the supervision of experts, Madame Sartoris said, her beautiful voice carrying conviction with it as she spoke so tenderly of her beloved country The style of architecture employed will be followed under the di rection of architects, engineers and ar lists who will study the nature of the structures and make replica of them as nearly as it can be done.
 From the trenches where some of our greatest artists, architects and land scapers are now engaged come sketches made at spare moment, for the new-old buildings and regions to be recon structed Native workmen and native architects know our French style natur- ally better than foreign artists, but all this is to be submitted to the Minister of Fine Arts and passed upon before one naifis driven or one spade full of earth turned over. Already several hundred architects in the trenches have sent their sketches back, and these have been exhibited at the Tuileries Gardens. And they are so characteristic, these sketches, for each suggests the smile and the hopeful attitude of the artist, and ones mind .dwells upon the notices which gaily say: 'sAu non Pinard de France;'
 'Chacun sa pierre;' ''Mais quand re viendra le temps des cerises;' 'On los reconstrurira'-alls so typical of the brave French spirit.
 You understand" Madame Sartoris said. that my work here IS merely pre- liminary to what is to be done after the war, because the French restoration fund is primarily an after-the-war measure A certain amount of building is neces- sary for our people now, who must be housed and cared for until the Germans are driven out entirely, but as I said, such reconstruction is purely tempor- @f 4 l.a ,t,r., ks,@t, and reconstruction of France will not be- gin until peace is declared and then 1t will be undertaken by the official French restoration fund.
 ''Of course, all this will take time and money" Madame Sartoris Said, but the manner in which we have divided up the United States to which we look for aid into B districts, asking each district to take over, to sponsor is it Were, some little village or hamlet or church or something, will not tax your people very greatly.
 Reference was made to Tilleloy and the pictures given in Birmingham hv the General Sumter chapter of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, re- gently for the benefit of the restoration of this village, and Madame Sartoris vas enthusiastic over it. Her eyes frightened and her quick responsive smile said:
 "Oh, yes; that was splendid and that little village needs help so much. All ready in the districts in America which have visited I have found the most profound sympathy and cooperation. We believe that the work of the French res- toration fund will be more effective if the people who are asked to contribute to it know just where their money is goina to be placed and therefore each distri will be allowed to name their town or village for restoration and reconstruc- tion. For instance. the six New Eng land states have already taken over Feronne as their god child; an offer from Chicago wanted to take over the restoration of Rheims, but this was too much for any one city, hence the three states, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, will sponsor this reconstructive work Sois- sons, the cathedral and all connected with it has been suggested as New YorlS's god child but nothing definite has been decided upon so far"
 Knowing Madame Sartoris love of the fine arts and her intimate friendship with the great musicians, sculptors and literati of France, she was asked what James H. Hord on Beach street. They will make their home in this city during Major Harris stay in France.