AMERICANS ADOPT FRENCH ORPHANS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12822, 14 April 1916, Page 3

AMERICANS ADOPT FRENCH ORPHANS.

Many Americans have adopted Frencli orphans. A teacher in a Brooklyn school has adopted one orphan and a half. When .she was asked how this could be done she said that, wishing to do all that she could for tho French, she found, after adopting one orphan, that her resources would permit of her paying an additional amount equal to half that sum, but she could not afford tho expense nf another whole orphan. Miss Florence M. Schoheld and Mis.Elinor Fell, both of them Englishwomen, although Miss Schofield' has lived in Paris so long that she is thoroughly identified with it, aro in America in tho interests «>f the Orphelinat des Armces, »n organisation which has been inspired by the wonderful genius and common sense of the French people. These women have broiigth to the United States an intimate and comprehensive understanding of the situation in Franco to-day, the splendid way in which tho French people, of all classes are meeting the sitiiationaml the even more admirable manner in which they aro preparing for the future.

The orphans-that Americans are asked to adopt are not to leave France: they are not to leave their homes if it can bo helped. In any case, they are not to get out of their place in the system that is to restore Franc to her former position of efficiency. Ono who adopts an orphan may choose one from whichever part of France is preferred, and .may have a complete record of the child, and later its photograph. Letters may be written and an acquainanco formed which may develop into a strong and helpful friendship. The French Government, with its usual thoroughness, has made a census of the French children who have been deprived of their fathers by the war and has undertaken to keep them out of institutions and to bring them trp —give them the kind of training that they would have had if their parents had lived—and to rear them in the religion of the parents. If the mother can keep the child it will bo brought, tip in the home; if not, some friend' or neighbor of the same faith and circumstances will take cliargc of it. The Government will pav a part, of the expenses necessary for this kind of care. It is to supplement the SFate aid that Miss Schofield and Miss Fell are asking for assistance in America. They have talked before schools and in private houses and studios, explaining the urgency of the help. ••The" manhood of Prance is dying to defeat militarism." .said Miss Scholield. "On. the battlefields is buried the splendid promise of her young sou- to achieve new conquests in art and science rind industry. Tf the old France, forced into this conflict and spending every ounce of energy and manhood in the struggle, is to give birth to a new France, worthy inheriror'of her splendid achievements, her children must be reared into a voting generation of strength and promise. "From the new born babe to the boys and uiris of- thirteen and fourteen, the crphaned children of France must grow 'ip strong, fine, efficient, ready almost before manhood and womanhood to take up the task of their dead fathers and widowed mothers and fulfil the glorious obligations of their country, of tho France to whom the world will look for I the fine ideals which must be both ; the warp' and woof of the world's re- ' construction after the war." . The work of the Central Committee of the Orpbelia at des Armees is carried out bv local committees in every town and village. The local committees appoint guardians for the fatherless children. These committees will inquire into the circumstances of the orphans in each district and will supplement the small State allowance when it is insufficient to enable mothers to keep the home together, appoint a.' guardian to follow each child's course at school, •note its tastes and aptitudes and" decide' with the mother on the career bpst suited for it. The best possible training will then bo afforded to the child whatever it is to become, from a.manual laborer to a professional or an artist.