The sun., 1918-07-28
IN
PARIS is SIREN
Gloomy Ones Named for the
UnwelcOme Air Raid
Signal.
OPTIMIST A "BERLOQUE"
People Have Joyous Time
While Waiting in Subway
Stations.
OPTIMIST A "BERLOQUE"
Special Correspondence TO tn. Sen

PARIS, July 1.-two more words have
been added to that every growing die
tionary OF war words. In Paris these
two words have achieved a new signih-
canoe. Pessimists are now known as
sirens and optimsts as "berloques."
The Specification Is self-explanatory
To those who have experienced an air
raid in Paris. Many dread the screech-
ing. weird, bansheelike wall OF the alarm
giving siren more than the actual dan
gers from the raiders while the Der
loque," that lively little bugle call telling
that all danger is past and that one may
rest safely in ones bed, is indeed a
friend welcome as any optimst
A Paris bookkeeper who suddenly left
the city when the raids over the capital
became too frequent and went 10 Nantes
has been sued by his employer for $50
damage for leaving without notice. The
case. not the only one OF it's kind in the
French courts to-day. Is attracting at
tention.
Tho bookkeeper's explanation was that
his nerves were upset by the bombs and
shells and that he thought himself justi-
Ned in getting out OF danger. The court
held that bombardment by aeroplanes
and long range guns could not be consid-
cred sufficient reason for the breach OF
contract and gave Judgment for the
amount asked.
To Light House Numbers.
The darkened streets OF Paris have
caused many persons to roam around
town after returning from the theatre
or visit because OF the difficulty in
hndinE the streets and house numbers.
An attempt TO improve this condition is
10 be made soon by placing luminous
numbers traced In little buttonike mir
rot nvI
smallest glmmer Of light on the houses
of the city.
one would think upon descending to
one OF the large and centrally located
Underground railway stations which are
used as shelters that a soiree was in
progress instead OF an air raid
This is what THE SUN correspondent
saw one evening during n raid when he
was ooiised to seek cover In one of the
subway stations:
In one corner violin. accompanied
by two guitars was doing out n tune TO
which squadron" OF youthful aviator,
were Waiting around. their partners
pelng group of pretty danseuse5 who
had hurredly left Il neighboring theatre
wearing their costumes, makeup and All
IN another corner "A group of poilus.
loaded down with their trench equip
ment' having been caught In the under
road depot and to the front were sing
ing "Madelon." their ITINERARY. in
rather discordant tones. But it was
singing just tho same.
Gran Game Holds Crowd.
An unusual feature of this particuiar
'soiree' was a genuine all American
crap game-not for keeps 1t would
hardly be an exaggeration to say that
halt OF tho crowd i'm the station had
edged around the half dozen snare
American doughboys-three of whom
were gentlemen OF color-to witness
this contest in bone throwing.
The colored gentlemen handled their
dice with defines that was delight
fully reminiscent OF Somewhere in Har-
lem, to say nothing of their proficiency
IN the vocabulary of the game. which,
Parisians have since learned, is a very
essential adjunct to any skill at it.
investigation of casualties following
an air raid over the capital have proved
to the authorities that the greatest
number OF casualties are not tho result
or injuries received from the bombs of
the raiders, but OF carelessness on the
part or the victims. Parisians have be-
come too accustomed to air raids They
stay out of doors TO see the bursting OF
the shells from the anti-aircraft guns
and others leave their shelters and 90
home before the signal
As n result last week twenty-three
persons were injured, some because they
did not keep under cover long enough.
and others because they stood at their
windows watching the bursting shells as
II It were an exhibition OF fireworks. The
police have again warned the popula-
tion. 1.-THE better protection Of the
city," says an order. "is no reason for
neglecting the precautions dictated by
common sense"