The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-28
PEOPLE WHO BRAVE
 WAR ZONE TERRORS
 AR [ PROSPEROUS
Some Sections of France Show Blackened Ruins, But the Dwellers Are
 Making Money


 ciated Press s.)-When the tide of Ger. man invasion swept through Belgium and into France, thousands of the inhab. ltants fled before it, leaving their prop. erty to the mercy of the invader The tide was stemmed and made to ebb but in its backward rush still more material damage was done, and now, after two years and more of trench warfare. the country behind the British lines consists oc broad belt of blackened and pitted fields, shattered woods, and damaged buildings, where once lay region of az. ricultural peace and plenty.
 Yet 1t is surprising to find, amid all this apparent ruin, that the population is enjoying prosperity as great, and in many cases greater than in peace times.
 Many of the old inhabitants have gone 1t is true, but large proportion have stayed behind, in spite of the perils and restrictions which proximity to the trench area involve, and though the bus tie of war has put an end to many of their wonted daily avocations, starvation IS lar removed from the door even of the nearest dwelling place.
 The vast floating population of sol dlers is the secret of the war zones pros perlty. The soldiers, men able and will ling to pay good currency for services rendered, have provided the remaining population with opportunities of which the people have not been slow to avail themselves Though at any moment death may swoop out of the skies, claim. ing as its victims soldier and civilian alike, there is money to be earned bv those who care to run the risks, and work is to be had for the asking, at prof. its undreamed of in peace times. More over the greater the risk, the greater the profit
 Dotted all over the country and clus- tering closely together in the towns and villages, are numerous cafes which sell the light Flemish beer and French wines In addition to supplying food and other forms of refreshment These cafes do a flourishing trade, and the closer to the lines the better the trade and the higher the prices. It is true the trade Is kept well in hand by the stringenet measures of control enforced by the authorities The sale of spirits is sternly suppressed ana dlsobed1ence is punished by the SUD- pression of the house
 Anywhere in the war zone in France a cup of coffee and an omelet can gen. erally be obtained at reasonable cost. and many of the houses have notices fn their windows announcing bacon and chips at moderate price. Almost every house contains something for sale, rang ing from modest store of chocolate and picture post cards to the full stock-in- trade Of a well equipped village general store.
 Another very profitable occupation in the war zone is lace-making The women nrt hAr ,& xt. lace as good as can be bought anywhere in the world. It can be obtained eithe, in lengths for trimming purposes or made up In the form of dainty handkerchiefs caps or aprons. All day they work at the windows of their cottages old women and young girls, needless of the guns whict often thunder around them The faces are eagerly bought by British soldiers mindful of their women folk at home and often orders have to be placed weeks ahead. The prices charged leave a good margin of profit.
 Plenty of other means of livelihood are open to any who care to take advantage or them. Road repairing absorbs the energies of every available man or boy and Tor the women there is good money In washing or mending clothes. The Brit lsh soldier is inclined to be particular about his wearing apparel, and the neat ness of the Frenchwomens' mending is never ending source of delight to him.
 Then billeting brings in some good re- turns. Thousands of soldiers are billeted in houses and barns belonging to the To- cal population, and though the presence of soldiers in their houses causes some inconvenience, the people are far from showing any resentment. In addition tc the rent paid them. other emoluments ac. crue from the sale of dainties and tho performing of little services for the guests. The mayor of each community superintends the billeting and secures faii compensation for any damage done tc property in the occupation of troops That the working arrangements are gen. erally equitable is shown by the popu- larity of the British soldier on all parts of the line.