Translation of Article published in the Metz ( Moselle) newspapers after the ceremony which accompanied the broadcast from Feves for Morganville on June 23,1949.


[begin translation]

The Population of Feves Expresses Gratitude to Morganville, Kansas, its �Godmother.�

It feels good to be occasionally again amid the Moselle populations who have suffered so much from the war and whose company is tantamount to a bath of optimism. Such was the case yesterday on the occasion of a manifestation organized by Feves with the help of Radio-Lorraine, with a view to answer a recent message from the village of Morganville (Kansas) whose population have made it a point to adopt this devastated village.

At this festivity of gratitude, the highest personalities of the Moselle Department had wanted to be present: Mr. Perillier, General Inspector of Administration and Prefect of the Moselle; Mr. Cathal, sub-prefect; Mr. Robert Serot, President of the General Council; Mr. Gabriel Hocquard, former Senator and President of the �Road of Liberty;� Mr. Marchand, sub-prefect of Metz; Mr. Barthelemy , General Councilor; Mr, Faessel, Inspector of the Academy; Mr. Lacour, Inspector of Schools; Captain Baujard, commanding officer of the gendarmes (country police); the following Mayors; Mr. Watier from Semecourt, Mr. Pierre from Norroy; Mr. Gircourt from Plesnois.

They were all welcomed upon their arriving at the village by Mr. Berne, mayor of Feves, surrounded by his Municipal Council and all the population. A pretty little girl, Solange Parisot, handed flowers to Mr. Perillier and expressed the villagers welcome to him, he is the Prefect of the Moselle. The Municipal Harmony of Maizieres-les-Metz played the Marseillaise.

A procession was then formed and a wreath was laid by Mr. Perillier at the monument of the war victims. The officials then reached a high ridge from where the view extends over the valley to the far off horizon, a most beautiful prospect. There, the broadcasting took place. It had been prepared with a rare ability by Mr. Torlotting, the schoolmaster, and Mr. Holveck, the curate of Feves.

First, Mr. Berne, the mayor, expressed over the waves all the gratitude of the inhabitants for the generous help of the citizens of Morganville. He pointed out very justly that such attitude on their part was eloquent proof that understanding can exist among all people on the earth and all our villages will thus know that there are men in America who have the strong desire to attain this aim.

Mr. Torlottong, then, after making remarks on the title of a song called �France is Beautiful," drew a remarkable historical picture of the life of Feves and pointed out the characteristic features of the habits and customs of its inhabitants, such statements being accompanied by appropriate songs such as �Joan of Lorraine,� �Friendly Wine-grower,� �You Shall not have Alsace and Lorraine� and a short sketch most perfectly interpreted by the school children, praising the love of their village and of the land.

And in conclusion, Mr. Torlotting stated, �Morganville holds its hand out to us; we place ours in it.�

People present did not spare their praise and applauded heartily the efforts of the schoolmaster and the curate as well as of the children for their fine performance.

In his capacity as president of the �Road of Liberty,� Mr. G. Hocquard stated that �On this small particle of French soil, one can feel the heartthrob of the whole country.�

Then, in English, so to be heard by the inhabitants of Morganville, he expressed the feelings of the whole population of Feves and of all the persons present at this ceremony.

In the name of the Government and on behalf of the Moselle Department, Mr. Perillier then thanked, the village of Morganville and its generous population for all the sympathy and friendship which they show to the �Mosellans� who have been so afflicted - the symbol of unison of all peoples.

�Thanks to your tangible help as well as your kind friendliness,� he said, �the Feves populatlon have regained confidence in life; they are actually returning to life. And all of you who have accepted to sponsor them, you have put your trust in them. You may rest assured that you have not done so in vein. You have enabled them to take their place in a better world, and thanks to you and with all of us, they try to rebuild. You have helped France to take back its place in the world and its place has always been that of liberty.�

Thereafter, the Prefect thanked ali those whose collaboration has helped to make this celebration a true success; the curate, the schoolmaster, the children, the mayor.

After that, the officials removed themselves to the �town hall� (or rather the town-room) where they were greeted with toasts and drank some Lorraine wine, and Mr. Serot pointed out that the mayor of Feves may be proud of all those who surround him and who serve as such a wonderful example.

We wish to add that the broadcasting station �Radio-Lorraine� recorded the whole of this reception and its re-transmission will be taken care of by �Radio-Boston� for the Morganville people.


[end translation; begin accompanying note]

14 Rue Angelique Verian
Neuilly, Seine

September 22, 1949

Dear Mrs. Utley,

I have completed and made a clean copy of the Feves broadcast article which appeared in the Metz newspaper. I enclose the same herewith with a carbon copy which you can send over. I have kept another carbon in case of loss in transmission.

I return the paper clippings.

I only translated one of them ( the longest) because they are practically identical.

I do hope your trip to Belgium and Holland is or has been a pleasant one and that you are not too tired by all this sequence of receptions.

With best regards to yourself and Mr. Utley.

Yours very sincerely,

(signed) Y. Bazin

Y. Bazin


Have not yet heard from the Torlottings. Presume they are busy distributing the sugar, etc., and organizing the new school term for Oct. 1st.