The sun., 1919-05-18
By M. K. WISEHEART.


TN organizing to reconstruct the dew
astated regions. which are 5000
square miles in extent, France is
confronted with a vastly greater prob
lem than she faced in 1914. when she
organized to meet the German In
vasion. Then she had a coordinated
system OF transportation and supply;
row this system Is in ruins and for
Eve years the nation has been living
on its reserves. The problem before
France and those who wish to see her
assume a noble position economically
and industrially in world at peace is
bigger in extent and kind than any
the world has had before.
Americans, who ask why France
does not organize to meet the recon-
st-uct!on problem with the same, en-
orgy with which she organized to meet
me German advance in 1914, prob
ably have failed to grasp the full
meaning of reconstruction and to un-
derstand the condition in which France
dnds herself at the end of the war.
The French with their nearness to the
problem have a preference for the
word reconstruction" rather than ere
construction" Reconstruction" is the
better word. for II emphasizes the COM
p!icated nature of the task, the great
social phase of the problem as well
as matters OF actual rebuilding
Problems of Reconstruction.
Reconstruction" calls attention to
he fact not only that the houses and
factories OF this vast area are In
Tins, but that for five years this
August the area has been an utterly
unproductive one, from which millions
@. people have been displaced with the
result that their habits have been
changed and perhaps their courage
broken; that together with the re-
establishment of transportation, food
supply and building material distri-
button agencies must also be estao-
Ashed to keep UP the morale or the
people, to make life endurable in the
midst Of desolation, to encourage
thousands who have come to feel that
the State owes them a living to turn
their heart and hand to agriculture.
Facts and figures may give some
idea Of the problem confronting France
IN the way of reconstruction. but
ecOnstitution-that is a matter or the
spirit of courage to endure the bitter
est desolation while the community
lie by slow process is restored and the
FORMAL peace activities reknit. So
figures as to devastation can give
only sugGestively the meaning OF re-
constitution. Five hundred thousand
buildings have been damaged. of which
100000 have been completely destroyed
One thousand five hundred schools
and 100 churches and about as many
Town halls have been destroyed. Two
hundred and fifty thousand acres OF
'le richest agricultural land of France
winch gave occupation to $4,000
people, or 10 per cent. of the working
asrcultural population, have beer
rendered uncultivatable. Fifty-five
per cent, OF the nations cattle and the
zane percentage OF pigs have been lost
me war has cost France 10 per cent
OF her lumber and 61-2 per cent. Of
her firewood.
rrooably the best informed Ameri.
van To-day on the many complicated
phases Of reconstruction and recon
eu'uton is Major George B. Ford
VINO went TO France In 1915 as q
member OF the American Industrial
C"ninission. He has been in charge
y. the Reconstruction Department Of
we American Red Cross in France
mhich has cooperated with all the
various departments OF the French
government devoted to reconstruction
MAJOR Ford Is well known - -.