New Britain herald., 1918-05-24

this undertaking an important service
can be done for France, sorely in
need of trained farmers to replace
those who have been lost
This farm is to have the assistance
of Mile de Rose, where special train
ing in all kinds of agriculture is to
be given. 1t is hoped that this col
ony will be self-supporting at the
end of three years. In connection
there will be a sanatorium for delicate
boys.
Last summer the boys at MOrangis
agricultural colony) were given set
of special exercises by the surgeon
with view to Improving their pos
lures, etc. They have practsed these
regularly, first led by one of the sis
ters, but later, the older boys took
turns in leading the drills. One day,
the class was led by lad Of -.
whose enthusiasm inspired his fellows
10 such an extent that he made the
drill of the very greatest benefit.
Playground games are being insti-
tuted in several of the colonies.
French boys have no idea of co-ordi-
mated play or team work and the di-
rect games which stimulate this quail
ity. And, in fact this result was
very evident towards the close Of the
first trial, as the boys were playing
fairly good baseball, though they new
err had seen the game played before.
This kind of work is sure to have
splendid results for the erhilaration
of the games, and complete change Of
mind will do much to strengthen the
boys both physically and morally
Miss Perrin (from the Ethical Gull
ture College of New York; is work
ing on a scheme to establish a school
for about twenty five apprentices at
Issy. Mr.. Whitton of the American
Red Cross is going to organize games
for the boys of this colony too, also
gymnastics and team work in general.
He has had much experience in club
work in America and is therefore pre-
pared, as well as willing to help.
Interested in Other Children.
This winter, the committee has ex-
very interesting way. Heretofore,
they have only considered the cases of
children who could be taken into the
colonies orphans, or half orphans,
delicate or very poor refugee chill
dren, but the number of these have
grown so large that often, cases are
found that the committee did not
feel justified in taking, but would like
to help. Through the French assO-
citation, "L' Oasis" headed by Mile.
Giquello, they have been able to come
in touch with cases where the parents
are able to pay small pension by
the month for their children. Some
of these parents are living in the in
vaded districts and do not wish to
keep their children in constant dan
ger. Sometimes the father has been
killed in the war and the mother is
earning money to support the family,
but has no time to properly take care
of her home. 1t is necessary to put
these children in small individual
groups, with people who are compe-
tent to care for them and give them
a proper education. A member Of
the committee is sent to various parts
of France, where schools, converts,
or private families have been recon-
mended by responsible parties and
thorough investigation is made before
sending children away from their par
ems. Where it is needed, the COM
mittee furnishes what is missing in
the outfit of clothes brought by each
child and often, blankets are sup
piled from the surplus. Several cases
in Paris have been helped.
The committee has been most for
tunate in having since 1914 several
members of the executive committee,
long residents in France, through
whom it has been possible to keep in
exceptionally close and sympathetic
touch with the French people and
government. 1t is because the work
has the confidence of the French. that
the committee has been able to obtain
the devoted services of the sisters and
athcrs to care for the children and
the active assistance of many indi-
Viduals, who give time and SERVICE
buildings and furnishings.
The committee had under it's care,
on December, 1917, 1866 children,
distributed among seven de-ots and
twenty-seven colonies, located in diff
ferent parts of France. The commit
tee having undertaken a war work,
finds after three and one-half years,
that war is still going on and that