Championship

Overnight all France became the arena of a heatedly contested competition for the coveted title of National Midwife Champion.

It all began when the hamlet of Bracieux in the department of the Loir-et-Cher honored Mme. Monestes, village midwife, with the title of "Champion Midwife of France." She had supervised with practiced hand the birth of no less than 1,000 squalling, red infants. "Truly," remarked the simple paysans, "the village owes its life to 'Mother' Monestes."

But her glory was all too soon dissipated. From the village of Cornimont in the Vosges came news that Mme. Honorine Demange was the midwife of midwives, for she had brought no fewer than 4,000 children into the world. In addition to the national title, the villagers contended that she should be awarded the Legion of Honor.

Then from the town of Nogent-sur-Seine it was heralded that Mme. Chercuitte had assisted nature in the birth of 5,411 pink youngsters. "A record!" contended the proud inhabitants.

"Not so," roared the villagers of Thaon, another Vosges hamlet.

With pride they pointed to Mme.' Gomo, who for the past 60 years has eased into the world an average of two babies a week, in all 6,582. Thirty-six years ago, they added, Mme. Gomo was awarded the Prix de Vertu of the French Academy. She is nearing 80 years of age and is soon to retire, they concluded with an air of "what is to happen to our future babies?"