Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-05
GLIMPSES OF PARIS. CITY OF
MYRIAD TYPES AND ACTIVITY
New Workers Who Hail From Ohio Marvel
at Blending Throng Representing All
Observation-Disclosures Huns
BY DANA BURNETT.
Copyright, 1851

BY DANA BURNETT.
Copyright, 1851
PARIS February 11.-There is a say
ing that every man has two countries,
his own and France. But nowadays ne
has France first; and France has him.
Paris in this year of grace, 1918. is the
hub of the universe that we are pleased
to call civilized.
Even the sophisticated New Yorker,
accustomed as he is to the conglomer-
ate shift and play of various racial
types. finds himself amazed at the cos
character of the boufeVards-
With the exception Of the enemy and
possibly some of the outlying Eskimo
tribes, there is not a nation on earth
but has it's avowed representative IN
Paris or at least in France.
Not long ago / was having luncheon
In a certain town in the war zone. The
where the meal was served
was within 1900 yards of the German
front line trenches, so that IL could
hardly be designated as popular IN the
ordinary sense of the word. Iet gain
cred at Its one long table. within easy
range of the German artillery, whose
dull and monotonous booming could be
plainly heard. were two American Ia
dies, n gentleman from Japan Sia
mese prince. Mexican edftor' d Jour
nalist from Ecuador. another from
Aires two officers of the french
army and the writer, who. IKE most
good New Workers, was born IN ONO.
Filled With Americans.
Paris today is filled with Americans.
Long before the United States declared
war there were hundreds of American
citizens working industriousiy LOT
France. Today there are thousands,
both men and women, in uniform and
out. who are giving their time, their
money, their energies to carrying Tor
ward the great labor of the allied cause;
The tale of their uniforms alone Wouid
make a robust history. for most of them
are in military or semi military garb.
Yet there are many who work without
insignia to denote them; who neVerthe-
less are members Of that silent arm!
upon which the fate of the auolole
armies depends
France has accepted the humanitarian
invasion with a good grace, even with
The French people are by
nature hospitable; for the purpose or
winning this war they are doubly SO.
and il they suffer occasionally from
the excess energy of those who would
succor them they realize that the Ell
forts of the newcomers are charitably
meant, and that it is all a part of the
price of salvation.
AL the Way From Arkansas.
There was one very sincere, purpose
full lady in Paris who had come over
for the express purpose of accelerating
the German defeat. Tt was her habit to
rush about at great speed upon mis-
sions no doubt of very genuine impor-
lance. One day while hurrying to
catch a train in the subway she was
by that inexorable closed
barrier. which a sane French nation
presents to the breasts of persons
charging toward an already crowded
train. The lady was furious.
.rMademoiselie" she cried in her best
French. addressing the woman guard,
let me through"
The guard very politely explained
that it was Impossible.
But l am on an important mission!
"C'est impossible. madame" repeated
the guard. firmly.
that such things can be. And have
come all the way from Arkansas to
help France win the war;
Instantly the guard dropped the bar
rier.
Pardon madame" she said, Il had
thought that Gen. Petain was attending
to that"
Not Poking Fun.
Do not imagine, good reader, that
France is poking fun at the Americans
who have come over to help win the
war. On the contrary. She is grateful
with that proud gratitude which is
more an admission to comradeship than
a confession of need. I believe, more
over. that she really loves us. though
we must pain her frequently with our
nervous Impotence. The French are
a calm people. despite popular super
stition; or perhaps it were better to
say philosophic people. A French
man doesn't worry much about any
thing; If II won't go this way, per-
haps it will go that. No? Eth. bien'
1t is heavens doing-or helrs, In
either case one had best not bother
ones head too much about it. As long
as there is n little wine to drink and
something to smoke, why attempt to
make over the universe?
Thus your typical Frenchman. with
variations. but not so your typical
American. What! Leave matters to
fate, chance or the devil? Not on your
life What if it has been going this
way for 1000 years? Haven't we built
a continent in five generations? Hand
us that pick and shovel--and watch the
dirt fly. Above all else. get out of the
way and give US the road
One of the chief obstacles in the way
of perfect understanding between
French and American soldiers is, OF
course. the variance of tongue.
There was an American chauffeur,
for instance. who stopped p native by
the roadside and inquired in care
fully memorized phrases the route to
neighboring French village. The
native promptly launched forth into an
address of direction. illustrating it at
the same time with appropriate ges-
ture.
The American looked at him sus-
picously for moment then said
grimly:
"Go on. insult me, rye left my die
tionary home"
Help in Fight on Hun.
But I had intended to tell about the
Americans in civilian or semi-civilian
offices who are helping to make war
against Germany. There is hardly one
of them. from the reconstruction work
eT in the danger zone to the young
woman checking up accounts in the
Paris jam factory. who has not made
some sacrifice to be there. Many have
given up beautiful homes, safe and
sheltered lives, creative, interesting
and constructively useful careers to
perform duties which are frequently
studio. often arduous and more than &C.
casionally fraught with danger. Some
phases of non-military war work are
undoubtedly interesting; some may
even by thrilling at times. But the
great bulk of the work done behind