Thursday, March 31, 1949

Two Letters from Feves

The two letters from Feves, France, received some time ago, have been translated. The first is from the Feves Committee to the Morganville Committee for Feves. The letter, in part, is as follows:

"It is with great joy and needless to say that with pride that we have learned that you have organized a holiday radio broadcast in our honor. That touched us profoundly and we wish to thank you very much. We are happy that our ambassador at Washington has addressed you a letter which you had the kindness to read on the radio. Our gratitude is great for the Governor of the State of Kansas, and the Mayor of Morganville, who have spoken so well, and we send our affectionate sentiments. Our special 'thank you' to those who have been the organizers of this manifestation, and to all those who have collaborated in it."

"The history of Morganville, so artistically presented, was very interesting to us. Now Morganville and Kansas are no longer a country unknown to us and we are able to picture for ourselves this village in the middle of the vast plains between the two oceans. We have a better idea of this beautiful community that you have made in spite of diversity of races and nationalities through your love of work, your love of music, and your church, symbol of the charity that has united all the children of God, who is over all. You will remind us that if the war had not caused the destruction of our village, certain of your sons would have returned. We will not forget, better yet, we will think of them in our prayers. Your broadcast was good, but reception was not good in some places. We would like a recording, if it would not be too much bother or cost too much."

The second letter was to D. J. Roenigk from Mr. Henri Torlotting, the schoolmaster at Feves, France. It is as follows:

"I was so happy to receive your letter in which you told me of the sending of five packages of seeds. I wish to assure you that the distribution will be made upon reception. I wish to express my joy on having received a message from Morganville written in French. Several of your friends have written me, but in English. Here, my studies are carried on in French or German and, unluckily, I have ignored your language. Before 1939, it was law that the schools of Lorraine teach German and I regret it very much. On being understood, I will permit myself to make a statement of the results obtained up to this day. You cannot ignore that the friendship has made a great stir in our region. The press, the superior authorities, everyone has praised Morganville. I wish to describe to you the manifestations that have taken place in Feves. I wish in all simplicity from the bottom of my heart to thank you, also for the great lesson of charity and goodness. You were the first in our region (to adopt a town) and already other American towns are following your example."

"On the receipt of your packages of candy, we sounded the horn and and on Christmas I organized a party. The joy was immense while St. Nicholas distributed the candy. I made some pictures which are being sent you. The package of clothes and skimmed milk have arrived. Yesterday a delegate of the UNESCO brought me a package of toys, unluckily broken."

"The distribution of clothes is almost complete. The powdered milk was distributed regularly all the fifteen day; and there is yet enough for two months. I wish to thanks you, to transmit my thanks for the people of Feves to our friends of Morganville. As soon as I can translate the other letters, I will reply. Could you send me the address of the person from Morganville living in Paris? She could tell us of her trip to Feves and perhaps it could be either Saturday or Sunday, the day when I could be at her service. The school children have written some letters concerning the gifts which will be sent. You can see the effects of the war, we now have 24 school children, before the war about fifty in school."

Since the above letters were received, Mrs. Ed Menard and Mrs. Norman Canfield have received letters from the priest at Feves.


Hear of Feves on West Coast

While in Riverside, Calif., Mrs. S. A. Anderson and Mrs. W. E. Higgins attended a book review and silver tea. The speaker, Mrs. S. Vallely, noted for her fine book reviews, mentioned talking with Chas. Todd of New York, of Operation Democracy, who told of Morganville and its pageant, given to help finance our adoption of Feves, France. It was pleasing to them to hear their "old home town" praised and they were naturally surprised for they never thought anyone so far away knowing of our efforts. Mr. Todd also, told of visiting Feves, and his visit to the school where a gathering was held in his honor. He had earlier written Miss Velma Carson about his visit there.


CARE Shipment to Feves

We received a report the past week from D. J. Roenigk on the CARE seed packages which have been sent to Feves, France, and the other food and clothing.

To date, nine packages of seeds of over three pounds per package have been sent. Each package contains about thirty different kinds of seed which are adapted to that climate. Besides, there were two crates of shoes and used clothing sent February 16, 1949, and one comforter, baby layettes, Christmas gifts and school supplies sent last winter. And on March 11th, Velma Carson sent from New York, the following articles: 50 pounds of used clothing, 192 pounds apricot preserves, 180 pounds of sugar, 27 pounds canned meat, sugar, 42 pounds of cheese and 72 pounds of cocoa.