Bisbee daily review., 1918-11-26
CHANCE IS SLOW
 OF ACCEPTANCE

WITH TEE FRENCH ARMY AT METZ, Nov %, (By the Associated Press) It is going to take some time for the territory of Metz" to ac- custom itself to the changes which are being made in its administration. in the opinion of the old inhabitants of this region. By this name, this part of reconquered Lorraine will be known until it has been finally and fully reinstated in the French repub- lie
 The greater problem will be Metz itself. the smaller towns and rural districts, excepting the mining dis tricts, being a sthoroughly French as ever. Metz. the metropolis of the province, however, after having served for 40 years as German gar risen. has been GermaniZed to an ex- tent that can be appreciated only by personal contact. The very consider able number of German immigrants the imperial army brought with it had established the strong German colony, almost equalling the French civilian population in numbers. These Germans held all the public offices and filled all the public posts on rail loads and in the postal service. They finally succeeded in gaining an equal representation with the French in the municipal council.
 The native population, unfailing in its loyalty to France, was overwhelm- ed and terrorized and could only nurse it's affection for France in secret Now that tue liberation the people hoped for, almost without daring. for 1t, has come, it has taken them by surprise.
 Those residents of Metz who are most devoted to France still find oc- casionaIly that, in spite of themselves. they are speaking low when talking of France and their newly regained lib erty, from instinctive fear of a heavy German hand on the shoulder and an invitation to follow to the police sta tion.
 The German population, on the ether hand, appears to lack thus far full comprehension of what has hap pened. The German residents take the arrival of French troops as an un- warranted invasion. The presiding officer of the German civil admins tration. Baron vOn Gemmingen, show ed surprise when Monsieur Mclman, the perfect of Nancy, appointed com misary by the French government for Lorraine, arrived to take possession of his post.
 Monsieur EcIman found a portrait of the German emperor still hanging in the private office of the perfec' ture Naturally it was taken down and relegated to a corner. This ac- tion Baron von Gemmingen charac- terized as violent pressure" It took two days to convince the old presi- dent of the German administration that the newly arrived commissary was in fact his successor and that he must give way.
 Order is being maintained in Metz during the period of transition by natives of Alsace-Lorraine, with tri- color badges on their arms.
 The German signs are being given French color, the names of hotels. restaurants and business houses los ing their Teuton flavor. The arrival Ol ILGuGu llOupS NllA NAlG plDopNNln of more and better food has had a decided effec, in lowering prices Articles that were fifteen marks a week ago are selling for ten francs.
 It is possible today to lunch well in Metz for five francs. The portions of the principal hotel menus that were six marks have been cut down to four francs. The bread and meat ra- tions as fixed under the German card system will be increased on the ar rival of trains Of provisions already on the way
 Most of the French officials sent here 10 administer the affairs of the territory of Metz are natives Of LOT raine. who know the mentality of the populations thoroughly. The muni- cipal government will be entirely in the hands of native inhabitants