The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-15
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
IS RESULT OF THE WAR

Visitors in Paris are now attracted
by a new institution, the creation of
which is the result Of the great world
war. It is the BibliotheQue de Musee
de la Guerre WAR Library and
Museum) OF the French government
The first thought that led to its estab-
lishment was due to private and not to
official origin.
From the outset OF the conflict,
Monsieur 81 Madame Henri lie Blanc
thought OF collecting all the print
ed and figured material, such as pos
tiers, photographs. badges. etc. relat-
ing to IT. AS the conflict. which most
people at first thought likely to be OF
short duration, began to lengthen.
they found that their collection de-
eidedly outgrew the limits OF a pri-
vate concern. ard they decided to do
nate it to the French government, pro-
vided il was agreed to turn 1t into q
permanent institution.
A charter was obtained from the
council OF state, and soon the library
and museum which had outgrown its
original quarters, 4 Avenue Malakon
located At 80 Rue du Colisee, not far
from the Official residence of the pres
ident Of the Republic.
The object II the institution Is two
fold. 1t is to be, first. a repository
OF everything that may remind one
OF the various phases OF the great
conflict, and Is open to visits from the
public. Its second and more import
ant object is 20 provide the future
historians of the war at least those
of them who are anxious TO present
the facts in their true light. with all
the material needed by them for their
labors.
1t was we'll known to the French
authorities that early in the conflict
steps had been taken in Germany
with a view to attract historians to
Berlin. and 70 have them perform
their lahors in an atmosphere entirely
sympathetic to Germany 1t Is ex-
pected now THAI they will resort 10
Paris rather than to Berlin. unless
decided in advance to present the
facts in light favorable 10 Germany.
Even before the United States de-
cided to Join the allies. II was felt
that q great place must be reserved
for the American section OF the col
lections, While the American gov
eminent itself was neutral. there were
many agencies at work in the country
favorable mostly to the allies. but
some also to the enemy as 10 shown
by the evidences of German propa-
ganda which are known to everybody
Societies were started for the relief
OF sufferers; columns OF periodicals
were filled with expressions of opin-
ions and controversies relating 10 ths
war. Ali this deserved \ place in the
new institution. OF course. as soon a.
war was declared by the government
Of the United States. the importance
OF the American section became vastly
greater. II was. therefore. decided
by the authorities OF the Bihlotheque
ct Musee de la Guerre to establish
in this country an agency having for
its object to collect evrything. whether
official or unofYicial. that relates to
the war activities Of the United States
since the fourth Of August. 1914.
This agency co-operates with the
Smithsonian institution which re-
ceives. as a rule, everything that origi-
mates or has originated with the gov
ernment OF the United States. Every.
thing else, all that comes from state
governments, educational institutions
private concerns and societies and in.
dividuals, must be sent to the above
named agency.
1t has collected great deal Of ma
terial, but It's collections are stfll faI
from complete. and all well wishers OF
France can perform not only an ac'
OF kindness but a great service tc
the future by communicating with
said agency, and whenever possible
donating to 1t what may be in theiI
possession. The materials mostly
needed are files OF important news
paper. whether complete or incom'
plete, back numbers of magazines con
tanning articles or pictures relating t.
the war, posters. photographs. badges
medals. fiags OF all kinds, articles Of
societies. etc.. in fact 1t is almost i'm
possible to give complete list Of thu
kind Of material that will be welcome
All persona interested are therefore
requested to kindly communicate with
the representative of the BibliotheQu,
ct Musee de Ia Guerre, Professor
Adolphe Cohn. Columbia university
New York city. IL they feel in AM
way inclined to contribute to the sue
cess and prosperity Of this interest
ing institution Of our sister republic.
1t may he added that Professor
Cohn has in his possession q mum
Der OF sets Of French war poster
which he would be glad to exchang,
for the kind OF material that wcult
be welcomed BY the BibltotheQue O
Nue. ia II 0aaArue SSse