The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-20
in METZ
Transformed the City in a
Short Time.
From German to q French City
Quickly.

Metz, Nov. 2O.-The story of how
Metz changed from a German to a
French town last week was told to me
by an eye witness, Lieut. Charles w.
Drew, of Philadelphia, American avia-
tor. who just returned from a Metz
hospital.
walter J. Wakefield. of New Jer-
sey, and 1 got the news of the armi-
stice thru newspapers which were
smuggled in by a guard who was an
allied sympathizer," said Drew.
THE German doctors. nurses and
guards were all right. but they were
strict. We felt change in the rigid
ness of the discipline Saturday. On
Monday, the 18th, the Bavarians on
guard at the hospital threw down their
arms. They were replaced by old men.
many OF whom carried red flags
These self-styled soldiers of the re-
public did not salute the officers. They
fraternized with the prisoners and
liberated several of them.
THE Germans who mad discarded
their weapons put on Red Cross bands
and talked fearfully of the red flag
demonstrations in the streets. The
doctors put on civilian clothes. They
and the nurses stayed until some
French doctors arrived.
I'm the meantime, mono of the
guards prevented us walking about
Metz. There was a strange atmOs-
phere. Crowds gathered and told of
their French sympathies, boldly wear
ing the tri-color.
LAS the German regiments marched
out of the city, the soldiers mingled
with the crowds. assuring the civilians
they had no ill-feeling toward them
and saluting many of the municipal
officials.
THE shop keepers Immediately got
busy and tore down German signs,
replacing them with French. Their
supplies were meager but good, par
ticularly the clothes.
1000 Deserted.
"a thousand Alsatians who deserted
from the German army donned civil
ian clothes and sought jobs running
trans and clerking in stores.
After Monday the streets were
brightly lighted every night There
were many French and a few Ameri-
crowded with happy men, women and
children, but there were-no wild DEM
onstrations. We received numerous
invitations to dinners and teas. We
accepted one from the mayor. who
heartily entertained Wakefield, two
French officers and myself, in honor
of the city's liberation. His wife had
made French, British and American
flags with her own hands. These were
placed over the door The mayor
then appointed the four as a sort of
reception committee and we stood I'M
der the flags shaking hands with
great number of citizens who called
to pay their respects. The meal and
! the cigars were splendid.
Will Come to America.
1.-THE mayor already is organizing
delegation of the most prominent citi-
go bn oil IN orio ri
thank the United States for its help
in rescuing Alsace-Lorraine.
I'VE returned to the~hospital in the
mayors car. 1t was the only one in
Metz which had not been command
eered by the bocfes to carry off the
| families of the officers, toward the
Rhine.
THE next day we decided to return
despite my wounded arm. We had no
difficulty making our way out of the
on our way to Nancy. Every village
we passed thru-on both sides of the
line-was decorated with French
and American flags The natives
were all happy and were showing
their gratitude by feeding refugees.
and liberated war prisoners.
Drew said that German officers and
soldiers readily admit their defeat. but
show no particular hate and declare
they are hopeful of q permanent
peace.
Prisoners Cndcrfed.
Thousa nds of emaciated of the I'M
derfed and the poorly clothed prison
ers-French, British. Russian, Italian
and Rumanians-are returning from
Lorraine prison camps. They say the
| boches suddenly began to wave red
flags and started all the prisoners to-
ward France in groups. Guards dis
appeared and civilians fed and guild
| ed the refugees
A unit of Bavarians guarding one
camp threw down its arms when a
republic" was declared. freeing nus1-
bers of prisoners before the armistice
was signed.
French. British and Americans has
| tily established relief centers to feed.
lodge, clothe and battle the refugees.
Doctors and nurses provided medical
attention for long neglected prisoners.
The prisoners tell how the Alsatians
and Lorrainers are enthusiastically
preparing for French re-occupation
In Toul. Nancy and other border
towns. former prisoners of half a doz-
/ en- nationalities are delightedly wear
ing doughboy uniforms which were
issued without discrimination nv Van