Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-09-10
WEEP
AS THEY PREPARE
TO FORSAKE CITY

Paris. Sept. 5.-Never in the memory
If the present generation has an
American city of consequence been
menaced by a hostile army. Hence 1t
must be impossible for any citizen of
the United States. however vivid his
Imagination may be. to conceive the
Partisan state of mind at his time.
So justly proud of his wonderful
city is the average resident Of Paris
that personal cowardice seems almost
not to exist in the face of the more
awful fate threatening the city itself.
Refugees. leaving Paris on every train,
do so only with much weeping n
la~mentation, characteristic of the
French race. but at his time almost
iustifiable in view Of circumstances.
Bordeaux already is housing many
refugees. The hotels are overlooking.
but the patriotic spirit Of France has
prevented a price raising orgy, such as
an American would at once expect.
Families of the lower class are camped
outside the city. and those unable to
buy food, have not as yet suffered
actual hardships, the generosity of the
providing raticns. The
Weather residents of Paris, including
many native Americans, who have
taken up residence on the continent,
have fled to southern France. Swift
Lerland and Spain. The latter country
Is considered q splendid haven, being
tar removed from the war zone and as
yet not entangled automatically.
Packing At Louvre.
The galleries in the Louvre are
closed to visitors, and sounds Of ham,
mering and shifting of packing cases,
tell the presence of Workmen EMPLOYED
to salvage that part of the conserya-
tory of immortal art that is movable.
Inc famous Venus de Milo was buried
by the French in the last siege of Paris
70 protect it from the same race that
arc expected soon to be pounding at
the gates of the city.
Occasionally an emotional voice
arose from the assembled crowd in
hysterical argument over the prob
ability Of the Louvre's destruction.
Many wept Silently before ~favorite
works of the masters. 1t was a scene
10 affect men beyond the humanitarian
impulse to pity a stricken people.
The streets of the city are a Strange
mixture of passiveness and activity.
Many shops are closed and others
might as we'll be. Those who seek
patronage of tourists are dull places,
indeed The many tiny restaurants
and drinking places on the bouleyards
are deserted. Former habitues hasten
past without pausing, concerned with
preparations for leaving the city. or
!of getting loved ones away. Others
Is expected soon to be pounding at
Cheer English Troops.
In the buster streets, attachments
OF English soldiers, arriving from Do
yer, and awaiting movement to the
Iront, are cheered wildly as thew
nlarch. SfoDgirls and women follow
the troops through the streets cry
Ing words of endearment and ca1inp
on the holy virgin to bless and g,1ardd
the allies of their sweethearts and
brothers at the front.
English soldiers mix with the French
IN the streets, answering questions in
imperfect French or in English and
displaying hearty appreciation of he
treatment accorded them. Food toe
pacco and other little luxuries may
be had by the soldiers for the asking
from any shopkeeper who has these
supplies. e
AT the hospitals and in refugee
camps the physical suffering is hor-
rible to witness. Wounded Soldiers in
Red Cross ambulances and on stretch
ers are arriving in appalling numbers
on every train.
thousands of Belgians-women, chill
dren and old men-nearly all ill from
hunger. exposure and fatigue. are
camped in the outskirts of Paris SUI
Ierlng IS intense. but everything pos
slble is done by the French to relieve it.
Preparing Forts.
AT the forts of Paris active prepare
IONS for a siege are in progress. Sol
dlers are working in feverish haste.
urged by officers who seem to he
at once. Signs of deser-
tion everywhere are apparent about
the country homes of the rich, west Of
Paris. Magnificent mansions and ex-
pensive villas alike are closed and
boarded. In Some places a servant re-
mains on duty at the gate, but in most
places no signs of life are visible.
1t is inevitable that many and per-
maps all of the beautiful homes will
be IN ashes before the owners return.
The pretty countrysides may never
pc rehab1litated. War, at least. is no
respecter of riches.
Paris. Sept. 4.-Tens of thousands of
Parisians, chiefly women and children.
nave taken advantage of the free
trains placed at their disposal by the
government for the purpose of clear
ing Paris and it's environs, so far as
possible of all civilians who might
hamper the military operation. Most
OF these people are going to the south
or west of France. The military gov
ernor of the city has put at the dis
posal of nonconbatants Is trains of -
cars each.
Passage on them is to be entirely
free. They will run today, tomorrow
and Sunday and convey refugees ia
points outside the military zone.