Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-25
PROSPERITY
RElCNS BEHIND
FRENCH LINES
Agricultural Region Devastated,
But Civilians Make Large
Profits From Selling
to the Soldiers.

Behind the British lines in France.
April neutrality-suspicious. of the
Associated Press. )-When the tide of
German invasion swept through Bel
GUM and into France. thousands Of
the inhabitants fed before 1t, leaving
vader. The tide was stemmed and
made to ebb. but in its backward rush
still more material damage was done,
and now. after W years and more Of
trench warfare, the country behind
the British lines consists OF q broad
belt OF blackened and pitted fields.
shattered, woods. and damaged build
cultural peace and plenty. /
Yet 1t 10 surprising to ind, amid
all this apparent ruin, that the popu-
lation is enjoying q prosperity az
great, n in many cases, greater,
than in peace times.
Old Inhabitants Gone.
Many OF the old inhabitants have
gone, 1t IL true. but a largo proper
ton have stayed behind. in spite Of
unity to the trench area involve. and,
though the hustle Of war has put an
end to many of their wonted daily
avocattons, starvation IL a removed
from the door even of The nearoot
dwelling place.
The vast floating population Of SOL
diers IL the secret Of the war Sone's
willing to pay good currency for SCR
vices rendered. have provided the re-
manning 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 it's victims SOL
der and civilian alike. there is money
IN hA A0WnAA hvy <h4uA wyh4 NorA IN
the risks. and work is to be had for
the asking. at profits undreamed Of in
peace times. Moreover, the greater the
risk, the creator the profit.
Many Cafes.
Dotted all over the country and
clustering closely together in the
own %na n villages: are numerous
and French wines in addition to sup
plying food md other forms Of re-
freshment. These cafes do a flourish
Ing 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 meas
ures Of control enforced by the au-
suppressed and ~disobedience is pun
ished by the suppression Of the house.
Anywhere in the war zone in
France, q cup sof coffee and an ONE
lette can generally be obtained at a
reasonable cost and many Of the
houses have notices in their windows
announcing bacon and chips" at
contains something for sale, ranging
from a modest store Of chocolate and
picture postcards to the full stock-in-
trade of q well-eQuipped village gen.
eral store.
Another very profitable occupation
In h war zone IL lace-making. The
women behind the northern part Of
the line make lace q good as can be
bought anywhere In the world. 1t can
trimming purposes ortmade up in the
form of dainty Kan~dkerchiefs, caps or
aprons. All day they work at the win
dows of their cottages, old women and
young girls, needless Of the guns
which often thunder around them.
The laces are eagerly bought by Brit
ish soldiers mindful of their women
placed e ahead. The prices charg-
ed leave a good margin Of profit.
Road Repairing.
Plenty OF other means Of livelihood
are open to any who care to take ad-
vantage of them. Road repairing alb
serbs the energies of every available
man or boy. and for the women there
40 8OOu AiAOHoy III WdSnlLB OF m0nQlnR
clothes. The British soldier is inclined
to be particular about his wearing APP
parel. and h neatness Of the French
women's mending is a never-ending
source Of delight to him.
Then billetting brings in good re-
turns. Thousands Of soldiers are bill
leted in houses and barns belonging
to the local population, and though
the presence Of soldiers in their
houses causes some Inconvenience,
the people are far from showing any
resentment. In addition to the rent
paid them, other emoluments accrue
from the sale Of dainties and he per-
forming Of little services for the
guests. The mayor of each community
superintends tho billeting and secures
fair compensation for any damage
done to property in the occupation Of
troops. That the working arrange
ments are generally equitable is shown
by the popularity Of the British SOL
der on all parts Of tho line.