Putnam patriot., 1928-10-25
FRIENDSHIP SCHOOL
 BAGS REACH MEXICO
Putnam District Takes Part In Movement to Foster Good
 Will
Interesting Facts in Latter of Aek-
 newledgnaent

The local committee on World Friendship Among Children has re- eeived enthusiastic acknowledgment of the Friendship School Bags" sent Co Mexico. The National Committees first effort Co spread good VII among nations by fostering good will among the children was to send dolls Co Jap- an. In return Japanese children sent beautiful dolls to the children of the United States One of these dolls was exhibited in Putnam during the win- ter.
 Since that time the children of this country have been preparing the sFriendship School Bags" Putnam and the surrounding towns have taken part ln this movement. Seven of the bags were sent from here early in the summer, and other bags arc in prepar- ation. There Is still time and oppor- tunity Co help in this interesting and important undertaking. as more of tho bags are being prepared, Anyone in- terestcd is asked te consult Mrs. New ton A. Ballard.
 Attractive Bags
 The bags are very attractive, being eleven by fourteen inches In size. made of fabrikoid in brown. blue and red. embossed in gold and silver. the words World Friendship Among Children" being OF each bag in both English and Spanish. The bags contain from five to dozen small articles for use of boys and girls in school work and for play. selected from given list, be- sides greetings from the donors, sets of picture cards. puzzle pictures, etc.
 The first of the bags were sent dur ing the summer in time Co be distrih- utcd to the Mexican children by the Department of Education of the Mex jean government on September lbth. which was Independence Day in Mex leo. On that day 65,000 persons as- sembled in the great stadium in Mex ieo City. President Gales and the principal leaders of Mexico filled the platform. Counselor Schoenfeld of the United States Embassy and Mrs. Jeanette V. Enrich of the committee on World Friendship Among Children also sat OF the platform and shared the program.
 The feature especially significant was the spectacular presentation ot these Friendship School Bags. Mir. presented them to Presi- dent Gales. who then handed one bag to representative boy and one to girl. while 3.100 Mexican boys and girls. each carrying one of the bags. marched up the side aisles and down the center, approaching the presiden- tial stand eight abreast. The crowds eheered and cheered.
 Mexicans EnthusiAstic
 The national secretary of the move ment has sent letter ot acknowledg- ment for the bags contributed by Put nam and nearby towns and states that the Mexicans are enthusiastic, as were the Japanese, over the expres- Sions of good will from the children and the youne people of the United States. At the presentation of the bags Mexican bands were playing the Star Spangled Banner and American aags were waving as the people cheer ad. An old American resident said be has never before seen such uopu- lar good will expressed toward the United States.
 A course on international friend ibin has already heen made part of he curriculum of the primary gehools ,f Mexico duo to this friendship pro Iect of the United States. An old Mexican teacher says that they are now "Studving about the United States, its history, it's accomplish nents. its ncople. an in friendly gay. This" she stated. is new hing and strange but we are all hap- by in doing it" Another teacher said; I've have heard great deal about our enemies in the United States. but we have not heard about the friends we have there"
 As no new friendship project is planned until fail tho time for send ing Friendship Bags to Mexico has been extended to December 9th.
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 Mr. and Mrs. Austin Perry of Day