Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
STORIES OF THE WAR
Back of The Fighting Lines.

When the tide of German invasion swept through Deleium and into France, fhousands of the Inhabitants fled beH--e it. leaving their property to the mercy of the invader. The tide was Stemmed and made to ebb, but in it's backward rush still more material years and more of trench warfare, the country behind the British lines con sists of a broad belt of blackened and pitted fields. shattered woods. and damaged buildings. where once lay a region of agricultural peace and pien- ty, says the Associated Press corres- pondent.
 Yet it is surprising to find. amid all this apparent ruin, that the popula ton is enjoying a prosperity az great. and in many cases, greater than in peace times.
 Many of the old inhabitants have gone, 1t is true. but a large proportion have stayed behind. in spite of the periIs and restrictions which proxiR = ity 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 zone's prosperity. The soldiers. men able and willing to pay good currency for services rendered, have provided the
 
 . ties of which the people have not been slow to avail themselves. Though at any moment death may swooD out of the skies. claiming as it's victims soldier and civilian alike. there Is money to be earned by those who caro to run the risks. and work is to be had for the asking, at profits undreamed of in peace times. Moreover. the great CT the risk the greater the profit.
 Dotted all over the country and clustering closely together in the towns and villages. are numerous cafes which sell the light Flemish beer and French wines in addition to sup plying food and other forrcs 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 It is true the trade is kept well in hand by the stringent meas ures of control enforced by the au- thorities. The sale of spirits is stern Iy suppressed and disohedience is pun iShed by the suppression of the house. Anywhere in the war zone in France cup of coffee and an omelet can gen orally be obtained at a reasonable cost, and many of the houses have notices in their windows announcing "bacon and chips" at moderate price Almost ev- cry house contains something for sale, ranging from a modest store of cho0- plate and picture postcards to the full stock in trade of a well equipped vil- lage 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 anywhere in the world. It may be obtained either in lengths for trim ming purposes or made up in the form of dainty handkerchiefs, 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 about 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 8 gooc margin of profit.
 Plenty of other means Of livelihood are open to any who care to take ad-
 vantage of them. Road repairing ab
 sorbs the energies of every available man or boy, and for the women there is good money in washing or mending clothes. The British soldier is in clined to be particular about his wear
 ing apparel, and the neatness of the