10-11 Place et Boulevard de l’Hotel-de-Ville
Vichy
Alliers, France
le 9 Aout, 1914
Dear Sallie,
I can not tell you how happy your letter of July 5th makes me – have just received it. By some error by the clerk at the bank, when the letter came instead of waiting a few days before sending it, they at once returned it to me in Boston, and they in turn sent it back according to instructions. You are a dear girl to remember me so lovingly, and I just now, am made very happy at that thought.
I came here for my cure on July 23 and since then you know the anxiety of my country & you may imagine my bleeding heart! Thank god dear old England has found out we were oppressed & has come to our rescue, so we are hopefull! I will not write of the tragedies, I mean heart tragedies. Mothers, sisters, wives, every woman who has had to lose her son, brother, husband!! But, the great thing in it all, is their courage, their determination to save France! Socialists, Anarchists, Anti-Clericals, Atheist, all, all have gone on their knees before the flagg! That is Providence – God in His justice, could not allow one nation to destroy by arrogance, and untruths, all other nations.
Vichy is deserted, but is safe. No trains for several weeks yet, and no money. That is the worst situation. All people having letters of credit, all are absolutely penniless, which is my case. My doctor has given me bath tickets, so I can go on with my treatment & the waters I drink cost nothing. So I hope the landlord will wait a little till I can get some. He will have to.
If you would forgive me, I am going to ask you, to see if your cousin, could not get some French notes, either 50 or 100 Francs. $10 or $20 which you would be willing to lend me till I get back. It would be of the greatest assistance. I only dare to ask such a thing, because, you now know me, you know I am all right, and the situation is certainly very serious. Even English gold, can not be exchanged easily, if I had some. Unfortunately, all I have is an American letter of credit from Kidder Peabody to Baring Brothers in Boston, & that for the present is absolutely good for nothing.
There I am, but I have great hope, & till Oct. I will not despair. However, forgive me for asking you such a thing, but my friends in France are much in the same hole, so I must hope. Even if you cannot help me, write me dear it is a great comfort & pray for all our dear boys. English, French fighting for liberty! – E. Alexander-Marais
Page 1. “Letter from my dear friend Mme Alexander-Marias, written during the European War of 1914 in Alllier France.”
Page 2. “Letter from my dear friend Mme Alexander-Marias, written during the European War of 1914 in Alllier France.”
Page 3. “Letter from my dear friend Mme Alexander-Marias, written during the European War of 1914 in Alllier France.”
Page 4. “Letter from my dear friend Mme Alexander-Marias, written during the European War of 1914 in Alllier France.”
Envelope. “Letter from my dear friend Mme Alexander-Marias, written during the European War of 1914 in Alllier France.