Semi-weekly herald., 1915-05-17
the Germans blew up buildings wit

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The battle Of the Marne was SO
near to Paris that the people of the
city had constant bulletins from the
armies. Every inhabitant of Paris
learned whether the movements were
favorable or unfavorable to the
French. After day or two there was
less excitement in the city and those
inhabitants who had remained in their
homes retired as usual and attempted
to sleep. Thousands of people had
] gone from the city before the battle
became SO serious and the approach
SO near. The president of the repub-
lie, and what is called the government,
removed to Bordeaux. The American
ambassador, Mr.. Herrick, set the ex-
ample for all other foreign represen-
tatives by announcing that he intend
ed to remain in Paris, and he did so
remain. The Spanish minister went
away and Spain appointed new one.
A United France.
Some of the daily newspapers were
suspended. Others were reduced to
half size or less. One editor announc-
ed that hesdid not leave the city in
1870 and he did not intend to leave
it in 1914. The banks sent large vol
umes of their money outside the city
to other points.
However, l am told by newspaper
rhr ;,, I,,,.;
time the battle of the Marne was be-
ing fought that the excitement was
not so great as might have been ex-
pected. The people living around the
edges of the city were notified to
leave their homes and they all sought
refuge in the heart of the city. The
French people, however, are accus-
tomd to excitements and revolutions,
and after each one heretofore they
have returned to their normal condi-
tions. The present war is the most
serious proposition that has confront
I'd France since the organization of
the present republic. All party diff
ferences are buried and all classes
are supporting the government in its
determination to drive out the invad-
ers.
Burying the Dead.
The battlefield of the Marine is COW
cred by many graves. The dead were
so numerous that the police and fire
departments of Paris were sent out
to assist in burying the dead. Quick
lime was used and thousands of bodies
were buried in great big holes, and
manysin trenches.
The French are prompt to appre-
ciate events, and out on the level
prairie, crossroads where the Ger
mans started upon their retreat, al
ready handsome monument is being
erected. 1t is built of sort of yellow
colored stone put together to have the
appearance Of a mosaic. 1t is not ex-
pensive, but when completed it will be
impressive. No inscriptions have been
put on at the time Of my visit. The
work was all done, and is being done,
by French soldiers, and every man
seemed to understand his business.
Every soldier knows how to use the
trowel. Surrounding the monument
there will be great floor or platform
of stone or cement. The location is
slightly and the stone marks a me-
morable corner. The soldiers were
evidently enjoying their work, and
when one of our party sought to pho
tograph the monument, the soldier po-
litely requested him not to do so. He
said if he had not discovered the man
with the camera it would have been
all right, but having discovered him
he must report him. Therefore no
photograph was taken.
Two Mastery Retreats.
The soldiers who fought the battle
Of the Marne and did not die are in
the trenches of their respective arm
les. They live to fight another day.
1t was surely an event worth while
to save Paris from invasion, and this
will be more appreciated as the years
go by.
Again, say, this war has been
notable for two distinguished retreats,
the retreat Of the allies from Mons
farther down into France and the re-
treat of the Germans from the vicin-
ity of Paris to line for some dis
tance following the river Aisne.
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