Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-10-10

(By !. L. Foster, Professor of Romance
languages, State College, Pa, Army Y.
M c. a. Secretary, Camp Hancock0
II may be of interest to note some
thing about France for the benefit Of
those who may soon be Somewhere in
france There should be in us Amer
leans enough of sympathy for our only
ally in the stormy days of the Revofu-
ton to prompt us to learn a bit about
her before we accept her hospitality. 1t
rs worth while to know what France is
and what she has stood for as we stand
by her side. to make 1.-The world safe for
democracy"
France is situated in the northwestern
part of Europe and has a long and hon
orabie history dating from the days OF
Julius Caesar. She has now 207 .054
square miles of area having lost 3 367
der of AlSace-LorPaine. The population
is about 10000, 000, or approximately 200
to square mile From this it will be
seen that France in area and population
is about five times as large as Pennsyl-
wanna. The shape of the country is prac-
ucally hexagonal with a frontier of $3.50
miles OF which 1, $50 miles is seaeoast.
We find great variations in the topo-
gFaphy of the country. 1t is rugged and
mountainous on the north, while along the
Riviera in the south the exact opposite
prevails. There are four great river sys-
tems-the Loire, Seine, Garonne and
Rhone. 1t was along the Seine and it's
tributaries. the Aisne, Marine, Disc and
Yonne, that the fiercest fighting has taken
place during the present war. Around
the Marine occurred the decisive conflict
which stopped the triumphant onward
march OF the Germans to Paris and which
marked the beginning of the final over
throw of imperial Germany
The climate is varied, as within the
boundaries of this nation can be found
all extremes OF heat and cold. In gene
raj, however, the ocean currents affect
the temperature in such a way as to mod
ny its severity greatly. For this reason
we find much dampness with the mild
temperature, except in the high noun
tam regions. In spite of the fact that
the number or rainy days is very large,
reaching l50 or 100 in some parts of the
country. the average rainfall is very low.
The line mist that prevails is binding
and penetrating, but apparently low in
moisture content AS is to be exnecfed
this excessive danpnesS intensifies the
colu, ana heaYy wraps are often neces-
saIy in order to keep the person dry and
tilus warm RMS rs especially the case in
the northern section, where the ground
IS so largely covered by bodies Of water
With all this the climate is fairly uniform
ana az not at all unpleasant the greater part
The industries of France are largely
connected with agriculture. The raising
OF cereals and small fruits furnishes oc-
cupatlon for the larger number of fha
inhabitants. The labors connected 1y;tb
embarrassing and caring for the prod1ets
OF the herd also employ many. In some
paaSs Gne c9Itlvatlon OF the grape with it's
kmdred industries is the principal ac-
tlVlty, Factories engaged in manufae-
ture of silk, wood and cotton goods are
found in many places. Owing to the
long seacoast, the fishery trade has as
Sumed large proportions in seaport towns.
In the north, minerals abound. as that
region is rich in iron, coal, copper and
zinc At present Germany controls the
greater part of this district and thereby
robs France of much needed mineral SIM,
plies. France has large commerce both.
in coast trade and through ocean-goiny
vessels and her southern port Marseiles
is regarded as one Of the most commute
in the world, with a magnificent har5or
and full equipment TO expedite the ba ad-
ling of merchandise.
Politically speaking, France is a re-
public, but not republic like the United
States. 1t is rather a happy combination
of the governments of England and our
country, as the president is aided ia the
affairs of state by a ministry rather than
a cabinet This ministry may be changed
by an adverse vote of the assembly and
a new one ushered in during a crisis
which will entirely change the complexion
of the policy of the nation. The presi-
dent is elected for seven years and cam
not succSed himself. The congress is
made up Of a senate, partly appointed
and partly elected, and a chamber of
deputies selected by popular suffrage.