The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-08-08
FAMILY LIFE AT
French HOMES
Assn Formed in France to
Offer French Hospitality
to American Soldiers
and Sailors.
WILL COMFORT THE WOUNDED
Citizens of France Are Trying to Give
the American Boys Over There
o Feeling Of
Home.

An association has been formed in
France entitled Foyers Francois y
French Homes) for the purpose Of Of
fering the hospitality Of French family
life to American soldiers and sailors.
La Fayette! We are here!
These were the first words spoken by
Mr. Whitlock former minister pleni
potentiary Of the United States, at
the tomb of General La Fayette last
Fourth Of July on the occasion Of the
memorial ceremony at which an Amer
lean battalion took part, after march
ing through Paris to the acclamations
Of the people.
Since that time an important Amer
lean army has landed in France and
the number is continually increased by
the arrival Of new contingents
1t seems to US that the presence
among US of SO many Americans who
have come to struggle at our side fol-
the same cause, imposes upon US 9
duty; it would be polite to receive oul
new allies in French homes and give
them a feeling Of the family life OF
which they will be forcibly deprived
for the duration Of their stay in
France.
The officers and soldiers of our own
army have the right during their fur
loughs, which are quite frequent ,tc
visit their families and know once
more the peace and JOY of civil life
If they are i'll or wounded, their rela
tives may visit them and give then
comfort and on recovery they obtain :
leave for convalescence.
Not only will the Americans be de
prived Of these advantages but from
the moment when from the deck of {
vessel which carries him, he sees The
earth mingled with the horizon, new
life will begin for him. He will from
then on, be face to face as a soldie1
with his duty in a strange country, thu
language of which he does not speak
surrounded by strangers, and he vii
not see his family again until the day
when the war shall have ended.
| The spirit with which the United
States entered the war may be summed
up in this phrase which Colonel Hous'
pronounced during his last stay il
Paris, namely president Wilson AMI
the American people are united to pu
at the disposition Of the allies our men
our money, and our resources, and WI
ask nothing in return
May French families respond to Thu
Jealous impulse with their hearts AMI
open wide their doors to the comba
tants Of our great ally, may they strive
to brighten their isolation and ma,
they strive to procure for them day.
Of recreation during which they ma.
imagine that once more they hav,
found their homes.
The hospitality thus offered will no
alone be appreciated by those VIII,
will profit by it, but it will be pro
foundry appreciated by the American
families, and will create sentiments o:
which the memory will not be effaced
We desire that the French famil,
should replace the absent American
family. We ask those who understand
the isolation of this immense body o.
men who have come among US with 81
much enthusiasm and in such a fin,
spirit to make a spontaneous gestur,
of welcome. Nothing could bette
symbolic this hospitality than tn,
French homes, or attest the ancien
virtues and grand traditions of on
race.
We should seek among our familie.
those who are able to receive Ameri
can soldiers and have an understanding
with the commanding officers for tn,
selection of those on leave who coult
then profit by this hospitality. W.
will also try to unite the French ant
Americans who have similar occupa
tions with the idea that their interest,
would bring them closely together.
In consecrating ourselves to thil
work the association is Of the opinion
that it is accomplishing not only !;
present. duty but that it is working
also for the future of which time it i
necessary for us to think To make
known the serious side of the Frencl
nation to the thousands of Americans
to familiarize them with our habit,
and our mode Of living, to strengthen
the bonds Of sympathy between tn,
two peoples, such is the task to which
we are happy to consecrate ourselve.
and in favor of which we make an ap
peal to your hearty cooperation.