Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-02
NEW PROSPERITY
IN TRENCH AREA
Floating Population of Soldiers
Make Profits Large for
Those Who Dare.
CAFES DOT COUNTRYSIDE

Correspondence of The Associated Press.)
Behind the British Lines in France.
April 27.-When the tide Of German
invasion swept through Belgium and
into France, thousands OF the inhabit-
ants 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 Brit
ish lines consists OF broad belt of
biackened and pitted fields, shattered
woods and damaged buildings. where
once lay region OF agricultural peace
and plenty.
Yet it is surprising to End, 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, it is true, but large proper
ton have stayed behind, in spite Of
the perils and restrictions which prox-
unity to the trench area 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 nearest
dwelling place. ...
The vast floating population Of SOL
diers is the secret OF the war zones
prosperity. The soldiers, men able
and willing to pay good currency for
services rendered, have provided the
remaining population with opportuni-
ties 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
victim soldiers and civilian alike,
there is money to be earnd by those
who care to run the risks, and work
is to be had tor the asking, at profits
undreamed OF IN peace. times. More
over, the greater the FISK, the greater
the proht.
Cafes Dot Country.
Dotted all over the country and
clustering closely together in the
towns and villages are numerous Gates
which sell the light Flemish beer and
frencn wines IN ADDITION TO supplying
1900 ana other forms OF refreshment:
ihese cafes 90 hourishng trade, and
the closer to the lines the better the
trade and the higher the price. 1t Is
true the trade is kept well in hand
BY. the stringent measures OF control
enforced by the authorities. The sale
OF spirits is sternly suppressed and
dlsobedience is punished by the sup
preston. OF the house.
Anywhere in the war zone in
France a cup OF coffee and ar. ONE
lette can generally be obtained. at
reasonable cost, and many OF the
houses have notices in their windows
announcing bacon and chops" at
moderate prices. Almost every house
contains something for sale, ranging
from modest store OF chocolate and
picture postcards to. the full stock-in-
trade OF a well-equipped village gen.
eral store.
Needless of Cannon's Roar.
Another v.rv ,ro6t,hIe orcrn.,;or
in The war yone E lace.m,I;no The
women behind the northern mart ~
The line male lac ,s Good a. Pan ear he
bouebt anvwbsrs IN 9be world +,
can he ohta;ned either IN ,ength. for
trimming nnrnoses or made mn in the
form ~ ds;ntv bandLerch;efs cans
or anrons XII dav tbev worL AZ tbe
w;ndows ~ their Cottages did women
and vo,,nU Girls heedless n the Guns
which often tbrnder around them
The Iaces are EAGERLY bouuht hv Rr;t.
;sh soldiers mindful of the;r wonen-
folk at home and often orders have
n he n,aced weeks ahead The ,r;ces
charged leave GOOD marg;p Tor
nroff
PLENTY of other means NJ livelihood
are omen N anv who care n tale "A
vantage Of them Road rena;rino ali.
sorhs ,hs .nasn;., os s.si, ani,IJ.