Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-24
BEHIND THE BRITISH
LINES IN FRANCE

(Associated Press Correspondence
Behind the British Lines in France
April --- When the tide of German in
vasIon swept through Belgium and into
France thousands of the inhabitants fed
before it, leaving their property to the
! mercy Of the invader. The tide was
stemmed and made to ebb, but in its
backward rush still more material dam
age was done, and now, after two years
and more trench warfare, the country
behind the British lines consists of a
| broad belt of blackened and pitted fields
shattered woods and damaged buildings.
where once lay a region of agricultural
peace and plenty.
Yet 1t is surprising to find. amid all this
apparent ruin, that the population is en-
Joying prosperity as great, and in many
cases, greater. than in peace times
Many of the old inhabitants lave gone.
it is true but a large proportion have
stayed behind. in spite of the perils ana
restrictions which proximity to the trench
are involve, and. though the hustle of
war has put an end to many of their
wonted daily avocations, starvation is far
removed from the door even of the near
est dwelling place.
The vast floating population of soldiers
is the secret of the war zones prosperity.
The soldiers, men able and willing to paw
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, claiming as its victims
soldier and civilian alike, there is money
to be earned by those who care to run
the risks and work is to be had for the
asking, at profits undreamed of in peace
times Moreover. 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 refreshmcnt. These cafes do a
f7ourishing trade. and the closer to the
lines the better the trade and the higher
the prices. 1t is true the trade is kept
we'll in hand by the stringent measures
Of control enforced by the authorities.
The sale of spirits IS sternly suppressed
and disobedience is punished by the sup
preston of the house.
Anywhere in the war zone in France a
cup of coffee and an omelette can gen.
orally be obtained at reasonable cost.
and many Of the houses have notices in
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 postcards to the full stock-in-
trade Of well-equipped village general
store.
Another very profitable occupation In
the war zone is lace-making. The women
behind the northern part Of the line
make lace as good as can be bought any
where in the world It can be obtained
either in lengths for trimming purposes
or made up in the form of dainty hand
kerehiefs, caps or aprons. All day they
work at the windows of their cottages.
old women and young girls. needless OF
the guns which often thunder around
them. The laces 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 good margin of profit
Plenty of other means of livelihood
are open to any who care to take advan-
tage Of them. Road repairing absorbs