Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-23
Charity of United States
Alone Prevents Starva-
ton of People.
FARM PRODUCTS AND
LIVE STOCK SEIZED
Germans Encourage Gardening by
French Peasants and Then Take
Crops - Issue "Bonds" Said to Be
Payable by President Poincare to
Meet Obligations = Temperance Of
Butter Celebrated by Children.

lAssociated Press Staff Correspond
| ence.l
| With the British Armies in France,
/, March 23.-The real human interest in
the great retreat Of the Germans lies in
the half ruined villages formerly occu-
pied by them.
The joy of the people over what they
proclaim to be their liberation is great
to see. Packages Of half buttered
sandwiches to children caused greater
joy than the evacuation Of the Gen
mans.
Its butter cried the children. Thru
| the open doors couId be heard such ex-
| preSslons as Praise God, there is bur
/ ter again in France.
| The American relief commission had
| been able to distribute flour, coffee, su-
gar, lard, limited quantities of rice,
| some cereals, soap salt and vinegar
| but no butter.
American Charity Saves Peasants.
The Associated Press correspondent
|
with American sugar, with peasant
family living next door to the charred
| ruins Of q German dugout. There was
a loaf Of brown bread on the table.
That also is from America" said the
peasant mother. who held 3 2-year-old
child on her lap. I'VE will never for
get the assistance of America. It
saved US. When the Germans first be-
gan taking our goods, our horses, our
cattle, our sheep, our vegetables and
everything we raised on the farm. they
gave US bits Of paper, officially stamp
ed by regimental commanders, which,
they said, were bonds telling us we
should present them to President Poin-
care for payment. Here are some Of
the bonds and she displayed at least
two scores OF scribbled acknowledge
ments of obligations.
Germans Seize Farm Products.
but in the last year or so all We
have been able to raise has been taken
| without even these bonds she said
I'VE were encouraged to cultivate our
farms and then everything was taken.
1t was terrible-but you are an Ameri-
can, please have another cup of Ameri-
| can coffee. l am sorry we have no
| milk We have had none for n year.
We have had no fresh meat for nine
| months"
For time, the peasants say, they
were allowed to keep hens on condl-
ton that they produce five eggs weekly
| for each hen for the Germans. If the
hens did not produce five eggs they
had to borrow them from their neigh
bors and they were delighted when the
hens at last were confiscated.
There is an undeniable thrill at
tached to motoring over the only
French line positions. Within week
roads have penetrated almost countless
trench positions and extended them
selves over what once was "No Mans
Land"
Endless Chains Of Wire.
I'm penetrating the former German
positions lasting memory always is
one Of endless chains Of rusted barbed
wire. This has been a most valuable
means Of defense for the Germans, and
from the amounts to be seen in every
direction 1t would seem that Ill the
German industrial plants had been
turned to making wire. 1t is not the
ordinary barbed wire made in America,
but the barbs long and stout. are at
tached at intervals Of half an inch.
IF it had not been for the barbed
wire, this war would have been over
long ago." British officer declared
Carry Away Young Women.
The Germans have taken away all
women and girls from Is years upward
who are able to work. A French Off
cial communication recently mentioned
the taking of fifty women and girls
from Moyon. On Feb II last the Ger
mans removed 423 from Nesle. It Is
said that all women capable Of work.
Ing in German factories or on German
farms who have no children dependent
on them must go. In taking away the
fit population the Germans are .eplac-
ing those persons by sending back hun
| dreds OF aged or inflrm men and ,wo-
men, saying frankly that the burden Of
supporting the old and infirm Is thus
placed on the French people.
Problem Of Feeding People.
The problem of feeding the liberated
people who have been cut Off from the
! American relief administered from
within the German lines Is being
promptly met. The man in charge Of
! the relief work iii the Nas!e district IS
French soldier born and raised in
this country, but having Polish ia
ther and an American mother.
In most Of the villages evacuated the
Germans left behind enough American
supplies. chiefly brown bread, % last
the inhabitants for five days.
This seems to indicate that they did
not expect to be followed quickly. but
as a matter OF fact British and French
patrols entered many villages on the
heels Of the German rear guard.
Drive Germans From Trenches.
Paris, March GA violent attack
| was made by the Germans last night
/ north Of st. Simon. in the region OF
/ Ham. The war office announcement
says the Germans gained some ground