Norwich bulletin., 1914-11-26
WHAT HE SAW IN WAR ZONE
fold Before Board of Trade Meeting by Frank Edward John
 son-Deyotion of the French People and Efficiency of Their Government = Watchfulness Over Passports -- Vigilance Against Spies German Preparedness - Amercas Need of Armed Strength for Self Protection.

Wauregan House, Hrauk EdWdTd Johnson, who returned from Europe eription of his experiences and ob- servations in France in the days that. followed the mobilization orders last August.
 His remarks were followed with close attention and were warmly ap- plauded as he concluded hls talK' which was as follows: :. Mir. President, Gentlemen of the Board
 of Trade:
 One week before Germany declared war against France, I rode rom Eau to Osse ip the BasSes Pyrennes on my Arab-Barb stallion. Osse is a pictur- esque village of i've to six hundred in habitants about 20 miles from the Spanish frontier. I arrived Sunday, Aug, 23, at Osse. Late in the after noon of the following Saturday the church bells in every village began to. ring the toesin and within an hour all the inhabitants of France knew that was ordered and war in evitable. Shepherds watching thelr docks on the steep mountain sides left their sheep to themselves and hurried down to their village. Peasants work ing in the fields dropped their blows and returned silently to their homes.
 There was no disorder nor cenfu- sion. Sunday afternoon, Aug. ?, over 2,50o men left our valley to report to army headquarters at Pau, where their uniforms and guns were to be given them.
 Slowed Patriotic Spirit.
 Each man was asked by the French government to buy for himself two pairs of strong and comfortable boots and to bring two shirts, two pairs of drawers, two pairs of socks and two handkerchiefs. The government promised to refund the money paid for each mans boots. Among the sol- diers that reported at Pau, almost as many as there are in our United States army, not one accepted the repayment of their shoes. This shows their patri- otic spirit.
 Rich and poor, peasant professor, priest and banker,went without a rnur- mur or tear at leaving home. mother, father, wife. sweetheart or children. It was one of tRe saddest and most in those brave French women, mothers. wives, sweetnearts and sisters. wore smiles and spoke words Of encourage ment to help the parting.
 They have wept bitter tears since, and the end is not in sight. Sunday, Aug. 2, 75 men left osse for Pau. Mon day, Aug. 3. over 100. and Tuesday still another class left and only boys and old men remained.
 Horses and Mules Requisitioned.
 On the fourth day of mobilization ed and had to be presented. My horse was spared, being a stallion.
 No stalIions were wanted. The horses were paid for in about two months and varied in price from 800 to 23o0 francs, the maximum price. Only broken down horses and mules remained. Fortunately donkeys were not taken
 Wheat.
 Owing to a cold, backward season, the wheat harvest was two months late and the 1913 crop was used up. All wheat was requisitioned and ground into flour for bread. Bakers had gone of Pyrennes as a rule are not accus- toned to bake their own bread. The 1914 crop was harvested by old men and women and boys and doled out daily at 6 a. m. by the mayor of the chief town of the arrondisement We had to 70 for our bread to Bedous, which was about one mile away, but most villages had to send from five to ten miles and pay cash for it. The head of each family had to send in a written demand to the mayor of his village stating how many adults and children he wished bread for, and only a certain amount was allowed per capita.
 In order to prevent 8 bread monop- oly, the government arranged the price per kilogram-40 to 45 centimes for 2 1-4 pounds, which is equivalent to to 3 cents for 2 1-4 pounds.
 For time salt was very scarce and packages. I assure you that food cooked without salt is not -palatable and when we had it again even the most simple meal tasted deliciously
 Under Martial Law.
 From the moment of mobilization France was declared in a state of siege and every town and village placed un- der martial law.
 The civil authorities continued thei1 work under military control. France has a three-year military service and everyone has to serve, unless declared physically unfit bX a board of military doctors who pass a severe physical test.
 When mobilization was declared . from the chiefs of departments to the office clerks had to leave within 24 hours for the front, as soldiers and penSioned or retired men and officers took their places. You can imagine vaguely what a chaos it would be if tomorrow morning in the United States all men between the ages of 19 and 45 years should be taken out of oul federal. state, civic, municipal life from railroads, steamships, postofhces telegraphs, trolley lines, factories stores, hotels, chauffeurs, butchers bakers. etc. This is exactly what hap pened in France on Sunday morning Aug. 2, 1914. and yet the government went on and there was no panic nor chaos.
 Germany All Preoared.
 Germany has a paternal government and everything was foreseen and pre-. pared years ago, for the day was to be declared. The German mobilization placards posted up in all towns ana villages bore the date 1912--the 2 was crossed out and 4 placed above.
 In France no one expected pater. nal government, yet things went on al most as well as before. The French mobilization was an eye.opener to tho entire world. Within an incredably short time the troops on the Belgian and Alsatian frontiers were increased by over one million men. The various railroad companies of France wert immediately taken over by the mill. tary authorities
 Three Days Grace for Aliens.
 Three days grace were give nto al aliens dwelling in France to leave tht country. No papers or passports re. quired and special trains were run tt Switzerland for Germans and Austri. anss with free transportation and food Train after train of Italian refugees passed Toulouse on their way tt Cotte, where steamers were in waiting to transport them to Genoa and Ma