Connecticut western news., 1915-09-23

end except two clndlcsiicks iu front of the niche where Joan of Arcs Image used tO stand. There k a French flag here now. The last time saw Rheims cathedral it was in a spring twilight when the great west window glowed and the only lights within were those of some candles which n pcniteut Englishman had lit in Joan of Arcs honor nn those same cnndlestiCks. The hieh altar was covered with carpets, the pavement and tiles were cracked and jared out by the rubbish that had fallen from abosS. the floor was gritty with dust Of glass and powdered stone and little twists of leading from win dows and iron fragments. Two great doors had been blown inward by tho blast of a shell in the archbishop's garden until they had been bent gro- tesquely to the curve of casll There they had damned the windows.
 Rheims but One Alter.
 But the record has been made and will be kept by better hands than mine. It will last through the genera
 
 from fellowship with mankind and through all the long. still years when the war of the body is at an end and the real war begins. Rheims is but one of the altars which the heathens have made on which to commemorate their own death throughout the world. 1t will serve. There is n mark we'll known to the world Ky now which hey have left for visible seal to their doom.
 When they first set the place allght there were some hundreds of their wounded in the cathedral The French saved as many as they could, but some had to he left. Among them was major, who lay with his back against pillar. It has been ordained that signs of his torment should re- main. An outline of both legs ana half of his body Is printed in greasy black upon the stones. There are very many people who hope and pray that 1t will he respected. at least, by our childrens children.
 And in the meantime Rheims goes about what business 1t may have with that iron nerve and endurance and faith which are the new inheritances of France. There is agony enough when the big shells come in. There are pain and terror among the people and al- ways fresh desecrution to watch and suffer. The old men and the women and children drink of that cup daily. and the bitterness does not enter into their souls. Mere words of admiration are impcrtinent. But the exquisite quality of French civilization has been a marvel to me throughout. They say themselves when they talk:
 "We did not know what the nation was. Frankly, we did not expect it ourselves, but the thing came. and you see we go on.'
 Or as q woman puts 1t more log ically:
 What else can we dor Remember, we knew the boche in TO. when you did not. We know what he has dono in the last year. This is not war. It is against wild beasts that we fight. There is no arrangement possible with wild beasts"
 This is one vital point which we in England must realize. We are dealing with animals who have scientifically and philosophicaly removed them selves inconceivably outside of civi- lization. When you have heard a few tales. only few tales, of their doings you begin to understand little more. When you have looked long enough into the faces of the women you are inclined to think that the women will have a large say in the final terms. They have earned it a thousand times.