New-York tribune., 1918-09-16
St. Mihiel Is
Rejoiced Ouer
Its Delivery
Continued from page T..

ed the German troops themselves.
Through the "Gazctte' the peoplc had
learned that America was sending hun
dreds OF thousands OF troops to France,
though the quality Of those troops, as
explained by the newspapers, gave the
civilians no hope. They did not real
lzc that these very troops had deliv-
cred them until French soldiers ar
rived and explained the situation to
them.
Town Stripped by Zoe
The Germans have stripped St. Mi
hiel of every particle of available
metal and wood. The bronze statue by
Jacob Richer, sculptor Of local fame,
was carried away last year. Last
month every available wool mattress
and other woollens we're confiscated in
house to house search
st. Mihicl's two churches were used
as houses of worship by the enemy,
who during the four years ranged from
/ SaXons and Prussians to Bavarians.
The Catholic church is intact, except
all the metal on the magnificent pipe
organ is gone, and the bronze braces
supporting the Virgin Mary and the
statues of saints have been stripped
from the walls
These plastic reproductions are to-
day resting on the floor. The same ap-
piled to the holy water vessels. The
statue of Joan of Arc, in white marble.
TO day looked down upon potted ferns.
bunches of great red roses, which had
been placed on the pedestal. An aged
woman caretal,er told me that the
flowers were from her garden and were
tribute to Joan of Ares work, which
to-day is being carried on by "brave
Americans.'
All Are Feeling "Fine'
A French soldier, standing guard
near the Palace Of Justice, which is
near the church, was accosted by
middle-aged woman, who could
not restrain her enthusiasm. "How
are you?" she yelled. "Fine, and how
are you?" he answered.
"!t's great day here and we are
together again." she called as she hur-
ried on. Count de Chambrun trans
latcd the conversation for Secretary
Baker, who said
"She speaks the truth. 1t is one Of
thc greatest days I nave witnassed.'
The local bank, with its French signs
still on the doors, is conspicuous
by greater sign reading "Wechscl-
/ stube." 1t was here that the Germans
issued their Occupation paper money"
I in exchange for francs in gold and
silver.
Near BY was cafe labelled "otiicers'
Casino," where gambling and drinking
were a nightly occurrence.
A long line of French cavalry was
we reached the De Chambrun chateau,
where Secretary Baker and the de-
scendant Of Lafayette were greeted by
4 the servants who had remained behind
with the Boche. The old gardener and
8 toothless old woman hobbled for
/ WNIU, tnC IISl 10 embrace count de
! Chambrun. Then all went inside to see
what the Bochc had left in the BIG
square buildings.
Made to Build Trenches
All the valuable furniture, curtains,
rugs and bric-a- -brac had been carted
away in 1915, the servants explained.
Every ablebodied person in. the city
had been forced to work, the women
tillng the field under guard or wash
ing for soldiers.
They had been paid in German oc-
cupation money" Little Mansuy Fer
mand, sixteen years old, told US that
he and many others had been forced
to lay and wire the Boche trenches.
When the enemy rounded up all the
males between the ages Of eighteen
and forty eight yesterday he said that
he was able to convince them he was
too young and thus was allowed to
remain behind.