The small village of F�ves has received the envoy of her American godmother Morganville

The American delegate, who has at his right Mr. Marchant, sub-prefect of Metz region, just read the letter from residents of Morganville, and a promise was made by the small schoolchildren to write to their little American comrades.

Around eight months ago, l'Entraide fran�aise - French Mutual Aid - had sent the headquarters in Paris a list of cities and villages in the Moselle region that had particularly suffered from the war. So Mr. Berne, mayor of the village of Feves, was greatly surprised when he learned that a Kansas town in America had offered to sponsor the small country village.

Better yet, a delegate of l'Entraide Am�ricaine - American Mutual Aid - soon arrived to bring spiritual and material support to the children of F�ves. Alas! The strike of American dock workers failed to allow the donations to arrive, and so it's rather a symbolic gesture that marks the arrival of the American delegate, Mr. Charles Thotte, New York.

He was received in the small communal school by Mr. Marchant sub-prefect of Metz-Campagne; Berne, mayor and Torlotting, teacher. Also present were Messrs. Guenet and Stenger, and Miss Terroine, of l'Entraide fran�aise .

Mr. Thotte read a message from the habitants of Morganville to those of F�ves.

We are a farming village. We are not rich, but when we learned that other people have suffered from the war more than us, we appreciate our situation. We want to share. If you'll write us as if we were cousins, we will listen to you. Maybe we have a coat for an old man, or a communion dress or cover for a baby. We do not know, except for the death of our sons, what war is. We want you to know that our hearts are moved, and that we wish to be friends. Let us know what you need. May Providence bless our meeting.

After reading the simple and touching letter, the American delegate announced a small parcel of 40 kilos of sweets would be distributed by Saint Nicolas. Then an exchange of photos occurred and Mr. Thotte offered a box of beautiful chocolates to the schoolchildren, who sang several songs before finishing with a vibrant "Marseillaise."

After the ceremony, that was very symbolic, the delegate from the U.S.A. walked the small village of F�ves before returning to Metz. After delivering the same good news in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Mr. Thotte will travel to Thionville, sponsored by Mount Vernon (NY) before going to Normandy and Italy.

There was no lack of emotion in the small town of F�ves where as a gesture of friendship, the schoolchildren, through their teacher, promised correspondence with the American children in Morganville.