Semi-weekly herald., 1915-04-26
Not Dressed for Retreat.

gy.
Not Dressed for Retreat.
The French soldier is not dressed
for retreat, that is evident, unless he
intends to spread his wings and fly.
However, the French soldier has not
been in the habit of retreating. A
Gentry ago the British soldier wore Il
red coat, but at the present time the
British army is dressed in khaki. His
clothes are close fitting and look COM
Portable and business-like. The French
soldier is evidently proud of the old
French uniform To him it is sacred
and he feels toward it as Americans
feel toward their flag. Many men
can remember that when the old blue
federal uniform was discarded by the
American army the old civil war vet
betrayed and that life was no long
er worth living.
l had heard before coming to Paris
that everything was gloomy and SOM
Der and that like London her lights
were out at night. | find that while
Paris is cheerful, she is not saying
much and she is not advertising 'busi-
ness as usual" which is quite objec-
tionable to many. | am told that
the principal places Of amusement
are closed and that only the picture
shows and few cheap entertain
ments are to be found.
Only Amusements Are Benefits.
There are frequent special after
noon matinees, musical and literary,
of the highest order for the benefit Of
some worthy object connected with the
war, but it can be said that Paris is
quiet. There is no frand opera; there
are no big flashy, gay restaurants
whore the rich formberly went To
spend their money, and the stranger
gets the idea that Paris is just begin
ming to feel little better The mill
tary governor of Paris does not be-
lieve it proper for the city to assume
a light and frivolous air while armed
: e nemies are in many of the depart.
, ments Of France. The military gov.
emor by direction keeps a close tai
on the moving picture shows; in 9th.
er words he exercises a rigid censor.
ship on all that goes on in Paris.
Sometime recently it was discover.
ed that at former fashionable tea.
place where tangoing had been il
vogue, dancing had been resumed. TIL,
discovery was made by the number
Of takes and carriages in front. Tho
tangoing was, Immediately stopped
This contrasts strangely with the
ideas in regard to amusements which
seem TO prevail in London, where they
have decided to 90 ahead with horse
, racing and all the usual sports. 1t i.
tie Englishman's boast that he is no
sentimental and that he is not give,
TO gush. The fact is that the Eng
lish channel is not wide enough Il
characterize the differences between
the two peoples.
Takes Are Few.
There is a great reduction in tn
number of taxicabs visible on tn
streets, and the large number of thos
= which remain rattle as if they wer
, playing the last half of the ninth in
ming. The best taxicabs were takel
4 for the use of the army When hit
e Germans were approaching so nea
e to Paris, $4,000 French soldiers wer
e carried from Paris by automobiles ou
to where the enemy was showing him
d self. This was wonderful achieve
e ment. The taxicahs being gone, cross
: ing the streets is easier. The old one
e horse cabs have been brought out o
n their seclusion and are doing duty a
A taXifeters, and the driversc look lik
o the vintage ofg twenty-five years ago
5 same whlskers, same hats. | ha,
e hoped that all the former taxi driver!
a had been called to the front and plac
B, ed in dangerous positions. But | fin,
= those now on duty not so obliging a,
D the taxi drivers in London.
e a prominent resident of Paris tell.
r me that so soon as these wars ar,
S over every American will want t,
S visit the battlefields. Then he expect,
r France will resume picking the fat
feathers out of the American eagle
S He expects tourist parties to be larp.
: er than ever. He also expects that
the French authorities will permit the
oattleiields to remain untouched for