The Hartford republican., 1919-12-12

its inhabitants. men. women and
children? Towns are being rebuilt.
villages OF wooden cottages are rising
up everywhere: temporary shelters
for the working heroes and heroines
have sprung up. fields have been
cleared Of wars denominations, and
smiling harvests gathered in.
a British officer, touched by and
wondering at, the strenuous work Of
young girl ploushing-a mere slip
Of a girl. spoke to her; no answer, so
intent was she on her work. He then
ventured to say, Gould not your
father or a brother help? Non.
Monsieur. my father died for France
and my only brother is watching the
cruel enemy on the Rhine. Ii l
work like this it is because | must"
The girl had that proud look seen on
the face Of a French peasant who
would not accept charity. The Off
Ger saluted as he would an equal, full
of admiration for a country producing
such stout-hearted young girls.
American help to devastated
France has been invaluable for which
she IS and ever will be grateful. but
the - lJhy expressed and the devo-
tion OF the nurses Of the splendid am
balances have appealed more to the
French people than money aid given
by the Great Sister Republic to help
them in the hour of need. 1t will
take many years 10 restore the
homes and factories OF Northern
France. The avowed object Of the
enemy was to destroy France. He
has in a measure succeeded; but for
the ardent patriotism OF this great ma
ton. great in war. greater in peace,
national ruin would have resulted.
Nature has not been idle. She has
clothed the hillside and plains with
grass and flowers. Trees have been
planted Thus the hideous scars OF
war are being hidden. Homes or
shelters are springiug up; happy lit
tie children are learning to play; tiny
little fellows who have never known
what playing meant are laughing and
singing. but the Joy Of life has gone
forever in this world from the lives o.
mothers and fathers whose sons gave
their lives in their defense, for France
and liberty. Such people cannot and
will not die: such people give an ex-
ample to the world by its heroic
struggle to save the dear No;herland
its cherished liberty and the worlds
liberty.
We give one instance of the marve-
lous efforts being made by French
people to create New France. how
they cling % 1t. how they love it!
Ponr-a-Stou>son -h5~- familiar the
name. for it was the first town to be
bombarded close to tnc frontier
few miles from the great fortress of
Metz. with rs thousand guns, receiN-
ed its daily storm Of shot and she'll
which nevel entirely ceased till the
armistice was signed Four years and
two months % bombaIjment. OF its
$4,000 pre- az Inhabitants. 100 were
killed. 2j9 Oadl" wounded. - few es-
capped. some were 1urt. OF 17SS
houses. 1912 destroyed Or rendered
L. nhal stable. six mil'!'l dollars ~
damages Gradually the lnhahltants
left. but the final order Of evacuation
was made August S, 1918, three
r.oatls before the armistice. Nine
months after. 5000 inhabitants have
returned and found homes some
where. The Mayor Of Nancy has ad-
yanced 100000 francs for urgent
repairs: several schools and churches
have been opened; everywhere re-
construction is going one.
Metz sent az once $4,000 francs for
food; a week after, 100000 francs;
then followed 500 stoves. 25O cook
ing ovens, mattresses, bedding, pals,
saucepans etc, all given. What Pont-
a-Mousson has done all the stricken
towns and cities are doing. So far
government has done but little, the
public purse is sadly empty for a
time.
France has deserved we'll Of Fate
She will be rewarded. Her place in
the world has never been higher. IN
cover when you see her glorious flag;
it is the symbol of a yirile nation
whose motto. Liberty, Fraternity,
Equality" adds a new digaity-new