New-York tribune., 1918-12-09

nization with German civilians. AL
though it is contrary to the strctest
kind of orders, the soldiers, touched
by the docility and receptive spirit OF
the natives in villages and towns in
occupied territory have begun to
abandon their regular bllets in barns,
barracks and pup tents, and aurrepti-
tiousiv accept REGULAR beds In various
German spare rooms wherever offered.
The colonel in charge Of civil al
fairs Of tho army at Bitburg told me
to-day that the attitude of tho civil
ians in the occupied region was amaz-
ing, considering what had been ex-
pcctcd. AS near as he is able to tell
by investigation, it is duo to their
pleasure in finding the American SOL
diers mild hammered and we'll be-
haved whereas they had been led to
believe by the attitude of their own
men that all soldiers were ruffians.
Americans Not Bitter
Then, too, he added, there is gen
eral effort everywhere here to treat
the Americans nicely, despite inner
feelings. because the Americans have
net expressed bitterness toward the
Germans and the Germans are anxious
for continuance of this attitude.
The attendance at company mess is
beginning to dwindle, the fastidious
doughboys preferring to eat private
German cooking off of red tablecloths,
with their feet under family tables. One
American mess sergeant at Bitburg
told me to-day that SO per cent of his
company were absent at dinner and
supper last Tuesday. On Wednesday
he ordered the cook to prepare only
half the usual amount of rations until
the absentees returned. Other mess
sergeants report a startingly larg"
number of diners out. One said:
"You can't blame 'em much. They've
been eating army rations three times
day for long time and when some
German hausfrau invites 'em in for
meals you bet they 60"
White Bread Brings Welcome
They usually carry about half a
loaf Of white army bread along after
the first meal and that gets them an
invitation to be regular guest for
both meals and lodging.
The troops profting most through this
sort of hospitality are those belonging
to units attached to corps, division
or army headquarters which settle
down in various villages while the
infantry units are on the march, where
ordinary billeting fare is mandatory.
T. G. Borden, of 1915 Newton Street,
Washington. and Mark c. Feinman, of
60 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, both
belonging to the signal battalion of
army headquarters, made American
aapjacks this morning, much to the
delight Of their German hostess. Both
occupied the best bedroom last night
and will remain as her guests until
army headquarters move again to n
point nearer the Rhine.
Borden, from June. 1917, to last De-
cember, was a familiar figure in front
Of the army recruiting Office at Forty
third Street and Broadway, New York
City. Then he came to France. His
father is registrar Of the Catholic
University in Washington.
War Widow Is Hostess
One woman of Bitburg who is hous-
ing two doughboys lost her husband
in the war three months ago. His
picture, with an Iron Gross of the first
class pinned to the frame, hangs in
her parlor.
Since the entry int Germany the
American army has found it unneces-
sary to impose certain restrictions
which had been promulgated in case
conditions forced the application OF
restrictive measures. Contrarily, the
occupied territory has an unique
status, enjoying more freedom to- day
than possibly any similar area in the
whole history of warfare. Uniquely
also, the American military auth critics
are not interrupting the functions Of
established civic institutions and pur-
suits, but are urging their continuance
so long as they do. not interfere with
the functions Of the army.
In several cases schools which had
been evacuated on account of the
needs of the German army for billet
ing during the retreat have been re-
formed at the behest of the American
authorities. In one case American Of
ficers who had taken a school for
quarters moved out so the teachers
and children could move in. T am
informed no rigorous rule will be i'm
posed in our area of occupation un-
less the inhabitants make it necessary
Friendly Attitude Explained
The unexpectedly friendly attitude
Of the inhabitants is partly explained
by the mayor of the village of Kash-
enbach, who said:
From the time of the signing of
the armisticc until the entry of your
troops we didn't know what to say or
do. Our returning troops told us your
troops were rough, and we were facing