South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-31
PEOPLE FIGHT
FOR CHANCE At
DEAD HORSES
Oppressed PopuIaCe of 0CCu-
pied City Are Near Death
From Starvation When
Liberated by British.
International News Service:
BY JOHN Il. PARKERSON.

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY ON
THE WESTERN BATTLE FRONT.
oct %. ayed)-Women and
children fought with one another
in the street of Denain for a chance
to cut off meat from the bodies OF
horses and mules as they were killed
by artillery of the retreating Ger
mans. so great was the suffering and
want Of the civilian population upon
their deliverance by the British.
The 27,OOO civilian survivors were
found living i'm caves and without
food. Many were suffering from
gas poisoning and wounds and all
from lack Of nourishment
On Friday German shells killed 90
ambulance horses in the back yard
OF a hospital Wren the British Tom
mics were draggire off the carcass
es, women and children fought with
each other 10 cut off the legs and
pieces of meat.
While guns were roaring and
shells were bursting nearby the
town of Denain. was the scene Of
one of the most impressive ceremon-
les Of the war.
Prince of Wales Greeted.
The central figure was the Prince
Of Wales and he was accompanied
by Gen. Currie of the Canadian
army. The streets were decked with
flags.
Troops Of the fourth Canadian di-
vision from Quebec which had driv-
en- off the Germans acted as
guard of honor. The streets were
lined with people. Little girls in
Alsatian costumes showered the
soldiers with flowers.
The youthful prince was so touch
ed that he stepped from his car
and shook hands. At the Office OF
the mayor the townspeople present
ed the Canadians with a Canadian
flag and then a special mass was
held When the priest referred to
the hardships the people suffered
eyes were wet with tears.
Tribute was paid to the British.
Old men and women cried for jov
but behind their tears were four
years of poverty and suffering un-
told.
live like Mad Men.
The population had been living
in caves without adequate food un-
til a few days ago while boche Of
fcers were occupying their HON es.
The only meat these people had was
flesh of dead mules. which the Ger
mans gave them.
A Canadian doctor said that most
Of the women and children were
the worst sight he ever saw. They
were like mad people. When a
horse was killed they rushed out
with knives in their hands TO cut
of the legs and other parts Of the
animals When the carcasses ha 4
/ been buried the people dug up the
remains and as they would he carry
ing them off others came up and al
most mohbed them for a share
Civilians Disfgured.
There were scores OF civilians in
/ the Canadian hospital who had been
wounded or were suffering from
disease brought on by under-nour-
ishment Lite boys and girls, who
had been starved. were there with
distgured faces. Sometimes their
/ fingers had been shot of. The whole
town was sick from gas which the
Germans had thrown into the place.
The town doctor said that for the
day OF deliverance the populace had
made hundreds of small French
flags which they pinned on their
breasts IN honor Of the prince Of
Wales and the Canadians.
When the Canadian band played
the Canadian anthem and the Mar
sellaise. the whole population wept
/ like little children.