, 1922-10-05

ny difference because 1t happens to be
lNM France. The matter of babies would
" be as interesting in any other country
where the conditions surrounding child
life were as they are here. France Is trying to save
the babies, and American women with the help OF
women of some other countries are pioneering
along the way of salvation.
Once upon n time an English novelist, now too
little read, wrote n book called: Put Yourself In
His Place" There was a character in the book.
DIR. Amboyne, who was forever putting himself in
the other fellows place, so that he might get n
proper and unsefsh viewpoint. SO when one
comes to France he must put himself In the
Frenchman's place, and judge things "human-like."
l am framing this letter in the heart of the devas-
fated region. l am sitting on the doorstep of a
wooden barracks in which there are 20 young wom-
en- members Of an American ommittee known fire.
quently MS the Anne Morgan committee. All Of
these girls are trying to do something to help not
only the stricken peasants of this land, but. with
foresight, attempting to help the future genera
lions.
On the other side of the barracks are the ruins
of n once fine chateau. Scattered over reaching
plains are the sites of once prosperous villages.
On the right | look at the fire and shell-blasted re-
mains of II noble forest whose underground mazes
must not be trod even today lest you kick the
plunger Of an unexploded shell or the trigger Of
II hand grenade and thus secure a passport to u
country from which you can't get back. The set
ting of this scene is an inspiration for work. The
girls work hard.
Before leaving the United States | read stories
of a decreasing birth rate In France. took the
reports to mean literally. what they said. The
other day in the chamber of deputies u member
rose To speak Of certain existing conditions trying
TO the soul Of Frenchmen. and closed his speech
with these humanity tragic words: "And In the
meantime, France Is being depopulated."
Such words us these start Il man to thinking and
urge him to nm attempt to find out the truth.
Hence In part the visit to Anizy-leChateau, which
Is one Of the centers of the activities Of the Amer.
lean committee Of which Mrs. A.. NJ. Dixie Is the
president and Miss Anne Morgan the vice resident.
Everybody knows how women In America work
20 save babies, to Instruct mothers and to send
good books circulating through what generally
may be called, the unrending communities. First
for the babies. On the steamer coming from Amer
leu | asked a French woman II II were true that
France had such n low birth rate that In time the
country would become depopulnted. Her answer
WINS. "The birth rate Is high enough to keep the
population ot France stationary ut least. The
trouble Is that the children die because of the nh
sence OF certain safeguarding means and because
of the reluctance of some of the mothers to adopt
new Methods"
Later | asked one of the lenders In the work
which the American committee Is doing about this
matter. She snld: "If the lives Of the children
can be saved, France has babies enough to keep Its
population growing. Public health service OF the
right kind Is wint Is needed. The death rnte
among the children can be decreased greatly aud
the season of fear be made to pass"
Inon, or part OF II, stands on n mighty hill In
the heart Of the embnttlcd territory Of France. but
the American committee there reduced the yenrly
death rate among the children from SO In the thou.
sand e "a In the thousand. This proves something.
Rnd nne does not need further demonstration be
rnusr-f n"n Is typical.