Life, 1916-12-14 · page 31 of 42
Life — December 14, 1916 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon**, but a charity appeal advertisement. Published during World War I, it solicits American donations for French war orphans—an estimated 400,000 children whose fathers died in combat. The appeal invokes historical reciprocity: France aided American independence; now America should repay that "debt of honor" by supporting French civilians devastated by the war. References to Lafayette and Rochambeau underscore this obligation. The organization guarantees donors that **all contributions go directly to orphans**—no administrative overhead—a significant selling point during an era of skepticism toward charity organizations. The membership structure (Founders at $500+, down to Contributing Members at $100 annually) reflects Progressive-era philanthropic hierarchy, appealing to different economic classes. This reflects American pre-1917 neutrality sentiment shifting toward Franco-British sympathy, months before U.S. entry into the war.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF FRENCH WAR ORPHANS (INCORPORATED 1916) Appeal for Orphan Children of French Soldiers who have died in defense of France It is reported that the number of French orp s who will ultimately need aid will be in excess of 400,000, and that there are at the present time 200,000 in ACTUAL WANT. The stupendous and crushing burden of the war will not permit the Fi nch Government to pay more than 10 francs ($2) per month per orphan, and it is NE SARY FOR PRI- VATE CHARITY TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST 15 FR ) PER MONTH ADDITIONAL FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF EACH CHILD. The AMERICAN SOC! Y has pledged itself to help several thousand orphans durmg the six months commencing Nov. 1, 1916, and it desires to increase the number as speedily as possible and to extend the period of a: ance. It will be doubly helpful to those in need if they can be assured at the outset of this winter, which will he exceptionally hard upon France, that fixed aid from Americans can be relied upon to prevent actual suffering among orphans It is expected that the organization known as THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN OF FRANCE will be absorbed by and act as a branch of the AMERICAN SOCIETY. America’s debt long owed to France is incalculable. Without the aid given to the Colonists during the Revolution by the French, as individuals and as a nation, our struggle for independence would have failed. Warships, soldiers, munition, supplies and money furnished by France, who thus impoverished herself, enabled us to win. Americans should make some return for the SERVICES and SACRIFICES of the FRANCE of LAFAYETTE and ROCHAMBEAU at the time WHEN AMERICA NEEDED HELP, and they should help discharge the debt, for which Washington pledged our “most unalterable gratitude.” Contribution to the FRENCH WAR ORPHANS FUND offers the opportunity for all America to pay, at least in part, our DEBT of HONOR. The needs of the WAR ORPHANS OF FRANCE this winter peculiarly call for American sympathy and help and it would be fitting if, each American contributing according to his means, the AMERICAN SOCIETY were enabled, by bringing succor and comfort to the orphaned and suffering children of French soldiers, to extend a helping hand to France in a way that must touch the hearts of her people, now heroically and self-sacrificingly facing unparal- leled calamities in a spirit which has thrilled the whole world. The AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF FRENCH WAR ORPHANS has been incorporated under the laws of the State of New York for the term of 15 years for the purpose of (1) Raising funds by voluntary contributions to be used for the aid and relief of needy French children whose ‘tthe yore lost their lives as the result of the present war in Europe, ani ‘Sustemdlizing and centralizing the collection of funds in the | United States for that purpose and their effective nites in France. Its membership is divided into (1) “Founders,” who contribute $500 or more per annum; (2) “‘Benefactors,”” who contribute $250 per annum ; (3) “Sustaining Members,” who contribute $100 per annum, and (4) “Contributing Mem- bers,” who contribute up to $100 per annum. The American Society undertakes, by means of its membership dues and a guaranty fund, to defray ALL the EXPENSES of management, collection and distribution of contributions for FRENCH WAR ORPHANS in order that the ENTIRE "AMOUNT contributed for the aid and relief of these HELPLESS CHILDREN may be applied to their needs without any deduction for expenses of any kind, here or abroad. The AMERICAN SOCIETY solicits contributions to its WAR ORPHANS FUND in order to be able to pledge fixed monthly aid towards the support of as large a number of FRENCH WAR ORPHANS as possible at the rate of three dollars a month for each child. DONATIONS to ¢ the, FRENCH WAR ORPHANS FUND shosld be seat checks oe Root office money orders to the, order of THE AMERICAN OF FRENCH WAR ORPHANS enclosed with a form of the naan at the foot of thi AMERICANS SOCIETY FOR 1 ‘THE RELIEF OF FRENCH WAR ORPHANS, 120 Broadway, New York City,” where all communi HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS Tux Howoraste Eowaro Douctass Witte, Ils Eutwence Joun Caroinat: Fartey, Chief Justice of the United States Da, Nicnotas Murray Burts, Archbishop of New York Tue Hoxoraste Josten H. President of Columbia University Tue Ricnt Revereno Davio H. Greer, Former Ambassador to Great Britain Da, Joun Guiee Hisnen, Bishop of New York Tux Honowaste Rosert Bacon, President of Princeton University Tue Honokavce Wittias G. Sirare, Former Ambassador to_the French Republic De, Jon ‘i Ambassador to the French Republic Tus Honosaste Myton T. Hernicx, Commissioner of Education of the State of Former Ambassador to the French Republic New Yor DIRECTORS OF THE SOCIETY Curtixe Oris A. Mycart ewart Davison Georce Grant Masox ko, Prosser Curantes T, Matunws ney A. Rocxrretire etius N, Buss, Je 3 Amerose Moxeut Svuvanus L. Scuoonsance — Eowaro Tuck Janes Brew Wit D, Guruee 4, bieeront Moxcan Joux W, oN Frank A. Vawo nomas L, Cuaonovenc, Je, ALEXANDER J. Hesericiie jictor Moeawerz Chances’ Steeue Georce W. Wie Tuomas Cocean Abxian. Isecin Dwicut W. Morrow Jasces Sticeacan Atoeet H.W OFFICERS ‘SUBSCRIPTION FORM: Wittias D. Gutueie, President To the American Society for the Relief of French War Orphans hee Stitiman, Vice-President 120 Broadway, New York City. Pierroxt Motcan, Vice-President ‘The undersigned hereby subscribes 3. sees to the WAR ORPHANS FUND of THE AMER- AMorose Mowect, Vice-President hec Tuomas Cocisan, Treasurer ICAN SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF FRENCIL WAR ORPHANS, and encloses herewith Gorden Ctvor A. Pearte General Slanager nt, to be distributed by the Society for the relief of needy French children whove fathers . if as the result of the present war in Ex 2 such manner and by such agencies as SNowoen A. Faunestocn, Secretar horize, Name DEPOSITARIES Messes. J. P. Morcax & Co. Address 4 National City Bank . 1 Bankers Trust Courant