Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-07
SCANT EQUIPMENT
HAMPERS BORDEAUX
Difficulties Entailed by Trans
fer of French Government
Offices From Paris.
WRITING FLUID CLASSED
AS ALMOST PRICELESS
Population Of City Doubles in Few
Days-Harvest for Hotels
and Restaurants.

boUDtACA, VIA PaflS, september &,
$50 a.m.-The installation of the govern
ment administrations is rapidly nearing
completion. The officers occupy all the
city buildings. including the university.
in which the war department b housed.
The foreign office occupies the better
part Of small street near a handsome
public garden. Most Of the offices are
equipped in an exceedingly scant manner.
One leading official in the foreign office,
after many exertions. succeeded in OBJ
tanning kitchen table. two plain chairs
and pen and pencil There is very little
ink here, and the fluid is regarded in
official circles as almost priceless
The foreign embassies are lodged in
mansions provided for them by the
French government in various quarters
Of the city. The embassies still remain
ing in Paris are represented here by Sec
retaries of embassies. John W. Garrett,
the United States diplomatic representa-
tive, has been allotted house in the out
skirts of the city. His task here is a light
one, as there are few Americans in Bor-
deaux.
The Temps appeared here tonight for
the first time 1t printed a single sheet,
preserving, however. its characteristic
aspect. Several other Partisan papers
OF one of the principal local newspapers.
View Of Military Situation.
Summing up the military situation in
its issue, the Temps says:
without any exaggeradon. we are JUS
| tilted in Affirming that. notwithstanding
| the falling back of our army, the situa-
ton as a whole cannot be considered as
alarming
Minister of War Alexandra Millerand
has appointed officers for the administra-
ton of the citys affairs during its occu-
pancy as the capital and has otherwise
evolved order out of what at first closely
approached chaos. Although overwhelmed
with work. he found time to receive sew
eral newspaper correspondents, to whom
he expressed in high terms his apprecia-
ton OF the discretion and good judgment
| shown by the press.
NJ. Millerand promised to give to the
| correspondents daily what Information he
possessed SO far as the exigencies of the
military situation permitted. The state
ments, he said, would be barren Of COM
ment or figures of speech, but would be
strictly true.
The minister. upon whose shoulders
rest such heavy. responsibility. Is brisk
in his manner, cheerful and most busi-
nesslike impressing one as a man hav-
ing decision and will power and with a
firm grasp on the grave problems of the
fateful hour through which France is
passing.
Bordeaux Doubles Population.
Bordeaux has doubled in population in
the last few days. Ten thousand motor
cars varying from the humble Partisan
taxi to the lordly Limousine, have arrived
and discharged heavy loads. All the ho-
tells are overfiowing and many of them
and the restaurants have raised their
prices and SO are reaping golden har-
vest, despite edicts of the municipal au-
thorities.
The spirit Of gayety as well as the
government has been transferred from
Paris. The wide pleasant thoroughfares
crowded. The city appears to be in the
midst Of festivities instead of experience
ing a grave crisis in the national his
tory.
The scene in the new capital is in
striking contrast with those in the country
districts. Coming from Tours to Bordeaux
through the famous vineyards. one found
the countryside mournful and almost de-
serted. There appeared to be none left
except children and women, whose prin-
handkerchfefs to the endless stream Of
automobiles speeding to Bordeaux with
panic stricken Parisians.
At long intervals a little knot of mid
dle-aged reservists would be seen guard
ing railroad bridge All other men have
gone to the war. -
Legislators Reach New Capital.
A majority Of the personnel Of the
senate and chamber have arrived here.
The senate occupies the Temple Of Apollo
The chamber will convene in Alhambra
Hall. Arrangements are being made by
which sessions will soon be held Many
members of parliament met last night
for discussion of the situation. The con-
versation centered on the closing of the
ordinary session and the possibility of
arranging for patriotic demonstrations
throughout France.
The official journal today published an
order by the minister of war regarding
a revision of the list Of recruits due to
join the army in 1915. The journal also
printed an order by the minister of the
colonies concerning the necessity of the
transfer to Bordeaux of the main Of
fees Of French banks in Indo-China and
the African occidental.
President Poincare called a meeting of
the cabinet this morning. Diplomatic re-
lations, the military situation and the
question Of food supplies were discussed.