among the lucky ones! That is Evian; that is the tragedy and need of
France as you see it embodied in individuals.

* * * * *

The total number of repatriés and réfugiés now in France is said to
total a million and a half. The repatriés are the French civilians who
were captured by the Germans in their advance and have since been sent
back. The réfugiés are the French civilians from the devastated areas,
who have always remained on the Allies' side of the line. The réfugiés
are divided into two classes: réfugiés proper--that is fugitives
from the front, who fled for the most part at the time of the German
invasion; and évacués--those who were sent out of the war zone by the
military authorities. Naturally a large percentage of this million and
a half have lost everything and, irrespective of their former worldly
position, now live with the narrowest margin between themselves and
starvation. The French Government has treated them with generosity,
but in the midst of a war it has had little time to devote to
educating them into being self-supporting. A great number of
funds have been privately raised for them in France; many separate
organisations for their relief have been started. The American Red
Cross is making this million and a half people its special care, and
to do so is co-operating directly with the French Government and with
existing French civilian projects. Its action is dictated by mercy
and admiration, but in results this policy is the most far-seeing
statesmanship. A million and a half plundered people, if neglected and
allowed to remain downhearted, are likely to constitute a danger to
the morale of the bravest nation. Again, from the point of view of
after-war relations, to have been generous towards those who have
suffered is to have won the heart of France. The caring for the French