New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-09
PARIS, The JOYFUL
CITY, IS NO MORE
War Brings a Complete
Change in Mecca of
Amusement Seekers.

Paris, Oct ga census OF Paris
taken few weeks ago showed that the
capital had nearly 100000 fewer in
habtants than before the war was de-
clared. OF this number 100000 are IN
the army, 100000 being on the Iirlng
lines and $50 reserves or auXlliarIes
are distributed throughout France IN
instruction camps, depots, guarding
the railroads, powder magazines, ar
senals, etc. OF the 100000 missing Pa
risians who in normal times complete
the citys population, many were sur
prised by the declaration OF war on
August while on .heir annual vaca-
tons at seaside or mountain resorts
and remained there. Others fled from
Paris for the country or for provincial
cities. such rs Bordeaux, Lyons or
Marseilles as soon as the German army
approached unpleasantly near IN the
early days of September. The stories
of the siege of 1870, still vivid in the
minds Of their elders, were not such IS
to reassure them; and, in fact, the
government and private initiative dld
all they could to encourage sccn de-
sertions. figuring that the fewer
mouths there would be TO feed IN case
of siege the less suffering there would
be for those who stayed.
Some of the provincial towns above
named increased their population ~
per cent within the last month, espe-
cially Bordeaux, the temporary capital
parisans are slowly returning TO thelr
boulevards. however. but the aspect ct
Paris is still far from being normal
and il may be Of some interest 10
Americans, who each summer con
tribute to make II the most cosmopoH-
tan city in the world, to see Paris as
IL is actually.
The very day the military author-
ties took the reins Of government from
the hands of the municipality me order
was placed over the entire city clos
ing bars and cafes at p. m; TINS mas
since been extended 10 $500 ana
strictly prohibiting the sale of alb
sinthe. With the exception OF bar
owners and few distillers, every
Frenchman, consumers in the lead,
.
become a law after the war.
Streets Practically Deserted.
After 9 o'clock the streets are prac-
ticallv deserted, the only means Of
transit. subways, trans and suburban
trains. stopping half an hour latcr.
An the motor buses having been sent
10 the front, most OF the taXis having
zone I'M the same direction, closely
/ followed by nearly ali the cab horses,
an impressive silence reigns over all
streets and boulevards.
/ On the boulevards the restaurants
are all opened save few whose Ser
man proprietors or managers thought
| best 10 close, thus saving broken glass
and heads and furniture. The walters
are grave and gray, the younger ones
now waiting on the Germans ana serV-
ing them red-hot dishes IN the form
Of three-inch shells. Only MALI the
light, bura at the ceilings and the
cuisine has also suffered. only two OF
the better known restaurants keep Up
the usual actiyity-the Care. de Ia
Paix and one OF the "tayernes' on the
Rue Rovale, near the Madeleine, both
places being largely patronized By
British army officers passing through
the capital =,
Strange as it may seem, Maxim's, IN
the Rue Royale, is still going, sadly,
slowly, but putting up brave front,
and has as a clientele what there re-
mains in Paris Of the younger Ameri-
can and English colonies. But Maxim s.
such as it is known to most OF US
that is. after midnight-is dead, shut
m tight. As to the theatres, the
Olympia shows patriotic cinema films
every afternoon seats and : francs
and closes for the day at o'clock. The
Folies Bergeres, Opera, Opera Comlque'
Theatre Francois and the rest Of the
best houses are all closed. In some OF
these attempts were made at concert
giving. but failed.
Montmartre has probably suffered
most. The Abbaye is transformed into
sewing rooms. where sad faced work
ING girls ply the needle during the day,
under the kind guidance Of society
women. As night falls all IS dark IN
what was perhaps the liyeliest place OF
them all.
Movies at the Moulin Rouge.
The Moulin Rouge is now a cinema.
and the little children living on the