Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-14
JASSY, ONCE QUIET PLACE,
NOW HOME OF ROYALTY
When War Began in Roumana 1t Had Population of rs,
900, but To-Day Authorities Find 1t Difficult
to Provide Homes for 100000

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.1
JASSf. ROUMANIA, November Go
Few cities in Europe have been more
profoundly affected by the war than
the little citS OF JaSsy, now the pro-
visional capital of Roumania From a
quiet. tranquil municipality with u
popula ton of less than $1,000. the place
has suddenly grown to such proper
lions that the government authorities
have found it difficult 10 provide COM
Portable living quarters for the civil
population, which now numbers over
300, 900.
After the evacuation Of Bucharest.
this modest little city became almost
overnight the home OF the kng and
Queen and tho seat OF the entire gov
erument. Here also are located tho
legations OF all friendly foreign gov
ernments and tho Headquarters of tho
Rounanian army ?vd OF important di
visions of the Russian forces.
BEFORE the war, Jassy was known
chiefly as the ancient capital Of tho
Province Of Moldavia, and as n city
Of interesting churches ana historic as
sociations. It is now the center of all
official, commercial and military aC-
tivity in the uroccupied territory OF
Roumania. When Bukharrs, and tho
southern portion of the little Latin
kingdom wcro evacuated, a large part
sought refuge here. Schools, colleges
churches, stores, barracks. and indeed
any form Of structure that afforded
shelter. had TO be converted quickly
into living quarters to provide for the
great influx of homeless people who
fled before the invading Germans Pro-
vision had also TO he made for the VA
riouS departments of the government
and for the many branches of the army.
To the American observer the city
presents many features OF uncommon
interest. Along tho main streets are 10
he seen great thronrs of Roumanian
Russian. rench and Serbian officers or
soldiers. in uniform SO varied in color
and pattern that all strict standards
OF uniformity seem 10 he sacrificed 10
utility and comfort. Here and there
an American Red Cross officer in his
distinctive garb Of yellow gives added
color 10 the animated scene Number
less military autnmo hilcs. bearing gen
erals. CoionelS or thcr officers OF, i'm
nortant missions. dash back and forth
at fcvcrish speed
MOTORS LADEN WITH WAR
MATERIAL. TRAVEL. STREETS
Scores Of motor lorrics. laden witn
the materials OF war, make their luin-
herring way through the streets with
utter disregard TO the comfor, OF Pc
destrians Now and thcu u Red Cross
motor ambulance, fresh from an erron,
OF mercy 10 the front, stops in from
OF hospital and discharges its burden
OF sick and wounded. In a few minutes
IL Is of again to the raar-line trenches
10 gather another batch Of the coul.-
trS's crippled soldiers
Marching un side street. under
guard. is = large lumber OF Austrian
ana German prisoners. Just in from tho
front some Of them ragged. thin. ~
CLEAN ana disheveicd. hut all apparent
~ happy at being relieved from Inc
hardSiIlps of war. IN another sec
Ton OF the city, accompanied by s.vc-
raj armed soldiers. is n small company
OF desertcrs or slaclIcrs. most OF thc',.
detected and spiritlcsS. with crowds
az curious oniookcrS commenting do.
f!Sirely on the lack OF courage which
made them seel; freedom from ..,ili-
'ary service.
\, the railroad station long train
Of cars rntcrS, bearing hundreds IF