CLAIRE FERCHAUD

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 23

CLAIRE FERCHAUD

FRANCE'S NEW JOAN OF ARC. A strange, mysterious character, this young peasant who hud never lost sight of the steeple of her native hamlet when the war exploded, who knew practically nothing of tho wide world, and was absolutely ignored by it, and whose name has suddenly become familiar to that same wido world (writes Estelle Darncy in the San Francisco Chronicle). Mademoiselle Claire Ferchaud needed no Eress agent to lauch herj unknown to er, both Europe and America, the newspapers have spread her fame in every corner of the inhabited earth, eager as they were to collect even her lesser words and record her lesser acts. But few have been able to reach this strange, reticent, yet magnetic girl. She has proved one of the most difficult persons to lure into an interview. I may say frankly that tho information hero offered was not secured without much effort. FROM A PEASANT HOME. Claire Ferchaud is 22 years old, having been born on May 8, 1896. Like Joan of Arc, she is the daughter of well-to-do peasants who have tilled the ancestral homestead for countless centuries. Like the Pucelle of Orleans, she was born in a hilly, wooded country propitious to deep meditation. She has three brothers, two of them fighting for their dear France, and two sisters, one of whom is a nun at Nantes. M. Ferchaud's farm, called Les Rinfilibres, belongs to the parish- of Loublande, whose total population is 509 souls. The nearest railroad station i 3 Cholet, a distance of about seven miles, close to tho border of Anjou, Potton, and Vendee. A brunette, of medium height, with a face more pleasant than handsome, the young girl is a true daughter of that, old Vendean race so justly reputed for its fierce energy, its religious fervour, its tenacious love of traditions andi family ties. Shall we try to seek the reasons of her fame? She owes it to several orders of facts; to her prophecies concerning the war, many of which have proven true; to her religious exaltation, which she - has materialised into literary works worthy of a Saint-Therese; to her fervent patriotism that made her bold enough to approach statesmen and generals and show Ihem by what means they would save France. Then, in spite of this being an order oi facts which may and must be discussed, I cannot help to mention her belief that tho founder of Christianity, under the imago of the Sacred Heart, appeared and spoko to her very frequently in the little church of Loublande, dictating to her His commands, and encouraging her towards tho fulfilling of her mission. GIFTS OF PROPHECY. Her gifts of prophecy seem to be unquestionable. It is absolutely beyond doubt, say those who have followed her work, that at the. end of 1916 she announced that members of the Government and other powerful politicians were plotting against France, and . that revolutionary acts and military seditions would have to be punished soon. As the recent case of the "Bonnet Rouge" and the 8010 case have amply proved, a very influential, well organised gang, led more or less openly by Caillaux, actually tried, during the spring of 1917, to promoto a mutiny on a largo scale. A few weeks later, from his seat in the Senate, M. Clemenceau startled the French people and the Allies with his terrible apostrophe thrown to tho face of an all-powerful Minister: " Monsieur Malvy, I accuse you of betraying the interests of France!" It is not less authentic that Claire Ferchaud, at the beginning of this year, warned several generals that the front 'would soon bo pierced through, contrary to the theory of the unbreakable front, which was then generally admitted among experts. Slhe added that the Allies would pass almost without any transition "from despair to victory," and that the cry "Tout est perdu!" (all is lost) would transform itself immediately into "Tout est sauve!" (all is saved), a prophecy the value of which we shall know soon. Let us mention another pro-diction; the yomg girl believes that sho will die at 24. FAVOURABLE REPORT The Catholic clergy has been deeply moved by her religious exaltation and her ur.pamions. The Bishop of Poitiers, incredulous at first, soon turned to be her staunchest protector. He went so far as to introduce her to tho Cardinal Archbishop of Bordeaux, who cross-examined her in his palace, and could not conceal later on that the young peasant's replies had filled him with "an intense admiration." Then, vi tho last February, tho Pope Benedict took a keen interest in the marvellous case, and instructed one of the most learned theologians of the church, Fr. Hugon, professor at the University of Fribourg. (Switzerland), to open an inquiry on the visioDaire. Fr. Hugon's report has not been published yet; but well informed persons assure me that it is absolutely favourable to Claire, and that it proclaims " that none right entertain any suspicion on the sublimity of her inspirations, on the orthodoxy, theological science and mystical elevation of her writings." MEETING THE FRENCH PRESIDENT. It is also beyond doubt that very high personages have either granted her private hearings, or called on her in her native hamlet. On March 21, 1917, she was introduced to President Poincare. As public rumour lias it, it was during that hearing, held without any witness, that Claire revealed tho coming attempts at revolutionary acts and mutiny, proffering anew her prediction that " several statesmen would be implicated and shot." It was not loss beyond doubt that one of the French generals who won fame an Verduu made tho long journey to Loublande. I am told that, quite recently, Claire Ferchaud called on M. Clemenceau, the busy Premier (who is not professedly a religious man), who consented to hear her "for fivo minutes," but yielded to the mystical charms of his young compatriot (for ho is a Vendean himself), and remained talking with her for a full hour. I am even told that she urged him to recall into active service General M , brought into disgrace last year owing to tho intrigues of certain politicians, assuring him. in the name of tho "Sacred Heart that this general would soon lead the troops to viotory. A few weeks later General M stopped the Bocho in-

rush in front of Compiegno, saving Pans, nnd perhaps France. But, of course, I cannot vouch toe the genuineness of this interview. A PROPHETESS OF VICTORY. In her writings, as well as in her talks, Claire untiringly repeats that victory will reward France when she again becomc-3 religious. She would like to see the image of the Sacred Heart on the national flag, a wish which has been fulfilled by several infantry regiments, though military rule promptly intervened and caused the holy rmblom to bo suppressed on regimental flags. On the other hand, no rule could prevent the soldiers wearing it "oh the person," and many thousands of poilus have pinned on their breast a button adorned with the image of tho Sacred Heart. This devout habit has been 'widely adopted by 'civilians hi France. Even in Paris you may observe the emblem on tho corsage or at the buttonhole of countless persons. Claire Ferchaud comes to Paris very rarely, her sole object being a visit to the Eglise du Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart Church) on the top of Montmartro Hill. She travels always in strict incognito, accompanied _by relatives or disciples who protect her against public inquisitiveness, and she hastens to return to Loublande. where sho has founded a religious order with girls of her age. The humble hamlet is. becoming a place of pilgrimage, visited daily by hundreds of believers attracted by tho hope of seeing " la tairite" in ecstasy, while she converses with the Sacred Heart, whose apparition reflects itself on the illuminated face of the young yrophetess. Call her a fanatic if you wish. Joan of Arc was a fanatic. The fact remains that this sweet-faced girl—with, the Are ot inspiration in her ©yes—is becoming a remarkable figure in France. Who can say what further service she may perform for her country?