The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-04-25

face had softened into perpetual smile. Most
Of his teeth were gone. Nine Blanchard. also
very old, more sprightly. The old couple had
one joy in life besides being back home again after
four years as refugees. That Joy big. sleek
white cat They had a son in the army and
while waiting for his return were patching up the
house and refurnishng it, OF the several hundred
people that had lived in Cutry. the Blanchards
were two Of twenty-four that had returned
They picked up pieces Of timbers from she'll
struck houses for fuel They worked by day patch
ing up their house and slept In the cave at night.
The American women Of scissors kept eye
on the old folks: brought some cigarettes for the
old man every now and then and to 1t that
they had food enough to keep them going.
1t was always red letter day in Cutry when
the committees auto truck appeared loaded with
supplies. Driven by a typical American girl, the
little truck would swing brisky up the village
street, would take the hairpin turns leading up
the big hill toward the church and would draw up
with flourish In front of the cave dwellings In
the old quarry. A big shrtoned bell had been
mounted on a pole near the spot where the mer
chandise with which the truck loaded was to
be sold. The moment the young woman truck
driver rang the bell "a refugees dropped their
tasks and came hurriedly up the street. anxious to
secure some badly needed goods. II they lacked
money and really needed stun difficulty was
placed in the PEASANTS way to secure the
terals While the bartering and exchanges went
on the young American woman chartered French
with the peasants. exchanged Jokes and generally
helped promote the gospel Of good cheer
Red Tape Causes Suffering.
So there were many bright spots such as this
through the 6OOO square miles Of devastated
France In all the ravaged territory-wlicb will
bear the scars Of war for generations-the Job Of
reconstruction was starting with all the atmos-
phere OF holiday. Notwithstanding the sinister
background Of disrupted roofs, crumbling walls,
shell-marked streets and ruined public buildings
What did IT matter that France had half a mil
lion houses struck by Shells with a quarter of
million reduced to rubbish heaps? The war was
and the big task Of rebuilding was starting
with impetus that demonstrated the farmers
implicit faith In the future.
Two and a quarter billion dollars worth of
household goods In all France had been DESTROYED
according to official estimates made soon after the
armistice signing. when the first calculations In
dicated that Frances war damage for actual de.
struction Of property would amount to something
like thirteen billion dollars for everything As
the statistcians check their figures there will
probably be some alterations made on the grand
total Of thirteen billions. At present that item
stands the probable loss in France. to property
in lands overrun by the Germans.
Blerancourt not far from Soissons about 80
per cent destroyed Is just item on the long
French indemnity bill against Germany Here the
Germans had full sway until they were driven out
in the last few weeks Of the war. Now the French
families beginning to get back into Bleran-
court and begin life over again.
One Of the first to arrive 4 French soldier
honorably discharged. He was faced BY terrible
difficulties He had nothing but his uniform, and
that had to be returned to the government But
the government Is standing behind this soldier In
his problem Of repairing war-damaged home and
fields. The French government s going to give
adequate aid for the whole period Of reconstruc.
tion: About 500 an acre for deserted fields and .
mrge part Of necessary expenses for the time ana
work required for getting house and home. to.
gether. But this money. ample as 1t will be when
finally received, is not readily available. Forms
must be filled out, checked and approved and 40
forth. before the money 10 actually paid. The