The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-10-24
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMS

D' William rriLiF o'mo
PARIS, Oct. Soy Mall 70
New york.)-ln Scissors, the
other day. with shells criss-cross-
Ing above the roof.tops, vhlstIlno
slnaulariy like the slrbrakes OF q
train, had an Interview with
Nine. Jeanne Wattesu Mscherex.
the heroine OF the war.
Nine. Macherez ia president OF
the Danes Franchise. an organi-
ration resembling our Colonial
Danes.
Il was she who, In the absence
or all civil authority In Scissors,
went out TO meet tho Germans,
outnegotiated them when they
demanded tribute, took charge OF
the city's civil business. managed
the hospitals. superintended mu-
nlcipai sanitation. did every
thing. In fact, TO maintain a sem-
blance OF administration and or
der.
A military aviator was flying
over Scissors as we talked.
Germans were approaching. the
French had gone out 70 meet
them. rApid-fire guns were max
Ing a noise In tho distance like
. busy threshinS machine. and
the crackie OF rifles could be
heard. lces than . mile away.
In the midst OF all this. Nina.
Macheres stood In an exposed
place In the street and talked a.
ooolly NJ II she had been in her
own beautiful home. across the
Aisne. and the time had been one
OF profound peace.
Occasionally the crash OF an ex-
ploding shell drowned her voice.
but she continued 20 speak as II
she were unoenscious OF any
thing unusual.
obtained my interview In
front OF the city hall.
In a tiny park 30 feet away.
where bright flowers had smiled
but a short time before, half a
dozen men were burying the car
casses OF seven horses killed an
hour before by German shell.
The streets were deserted. ex-
cept by soldiers and few men
wearing brass cards which show
ec them TO be military clerks or
other assistants OF the civil or
army authorities.
III the Germans get back into
the city this time" asked. shall
you stay
Il shall be all the more need
ed II they return" answered Nine.
Macherez.
When they came the first
time. how did they behaved"
They wanted an indemnity,
but | induced the commander to
accompany me about the city and
convinced him that he was ask
ing too much--that We could not
give more than we had"
This was Nine. Macherez' mod
est way OF putting It.
had previously been told that.
by infinite tact. she had success
fully resisted a German demand
for tons OF foodstuffs, tobacco and
quantities OF wine. finally secur-
ing excellent terms.
II understand your own house
has been destroyed" ! said.
Not mine, but my son-in-
laws" corrected madame. Il am
told my house has not been mo-
Tested. l have not visited It In
two weeks. sleep In the hos
pital. over there"
She pointed TO neighboring
building. through one wing OF
which n shell had torn a Jagged
hole large enough for two-horse
wagon TO pass through.
There was no Red Cross flag
flying. though ! knew that hos
pital contained hundreds OF
French and German wounded.
I'VE don't use the Red Cross
flag any MORE" explained ma
dame. ut seems TO draw the enc
my's fire"
As we talked a man, woman
and child came down the street.
Madame stopped them and ask
ed who they were, and where they
were going.
She recognized them instantly
as strangers. and as Scissors was
filled with spies. she could run no
risks.
Here. corporal" she said to n
soldier near by. go with these
people TO the city hall and de-