Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-03-17
German;zina Northern France.

John Reed in Metropolitan Magazine.
Don't imagine that German soldiers are
Il cruel, arrogant race. They nave done
many admirable things. I am sure that
some OF those little northern French towns
never were so clean, so intellisently or
genized.
Everywhere they have rcopened schools
and churches; they have re-established To-
cal Institutions and local charities; they
house with electricity-placed up to date
hospitals, served by the finest doctors in
humblest citizen: The French mares, civil
courts, police-all the officers of local gov
ernment-retain their positions and seem
to function as usual.
But 1t is a cruel mockery, as | shall
show when I come TO describe the tragic
city of Lille. This liz a conquered people;
there is not the least doubt of that. AS
We rode about the country, misery and
hatred darkened every face that watched
our passing motor cars: and those who
came last caught the curses hat were
hurled after us-"Cochons, Boches!"
Sometimes the women shook their fists
and spit at MS. The men We're more eau
whoever shows contempt or disrespect
for officers and soldiers of the German
army
Lille amounted to more than 1900, 600
francs a month. The Germans had con-
fiscated all the food supplies. and there
quiring every inhabitant to declare to the
governor the pitifui little amounts of flour.
corn, sugar. coffee, etc, I'm their kitchens.
SO that even these could be scraped to-
gether when they were needed.
For three months the Germans have
ben systematically combing the country;
food, leather. rubber. cloth, copper-even
down to the copper street car wires. For
instance. the bakers had no more -four to
make bread, and stormed the marie when
their shop fronts were smashed by the
mob.
The harassed marie appealed to the Ger
man governor. who sold back enough con-
demned and decayed flour to feed the pop
ulation for two weeks for the sum Of 800.
900 francs in gold and notes on the Bank
OF Franc
Now there is no bread to eat In north
ern France. except bitter black bread.
made half of bad flour and half Of pota-
toes. Th poverty is terrible. At the out
teed to pay ~"chamage' to people out Of
work, and also allowances to the wives
and families of soldiers serving in the
army. These things. II municipal official
told me with tears In his eyes. the city
could not longer do.
If help does not come in a month"; he
said trembling, we will all starve."
AT the cafe where took my aperitif.
men and women crawled about under the
tables like animals. picking up scraps OF
food. A coal wagon passed along the
street. a throng Of women crouching un-
derneath with outstretched aprons to
catch the dust that filtered down-for 1T
Th city. police in uniforms paced their
bcats-to keep order among the popula-
ton. The marie sat In his office In the
Hotel de Vile. When the German com
mandant wanted to confiscate anything,
he sent the requisltion order to be coun-
tersigned by the MARE. In order to add his
authority to the seizure. Sometimes the
Germans did not know where to find the
things they wanted: and II soldier would
bring a note which read. II want 800 pairs
| OF shoes by 2 O'clock" or Please deliver
! all the copper In the city to me by We'd
nesday noon. You are Responsible for the
complete execution. of this order"
And the MARES son was one OF the Il
hostages who slept under German guard
In the citadel.
so you see the official contributions OF
war were q small part OF the ransom OF
| Lille.