Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-20
Enormous Stores Of Guns and Ammunitio
Found at Longuyon--Railway Yards and
Rolling Stock Intact at Montnledy and
Other PIaces=-Find Much Material Not
Mentioned in Observation-Disclosures
StoresEvidence Of Passingof Tired,
DiSheartened Foe, Bound Home
SHOPS IN BELGIAN TOWNS APPEAR
TO BE WELL STOCKED WITH GOODS

so many years Here and there was ore
which showed evidences OF the hghtihS
at the time the French attempted TO
check the German march through Be-
GUM. In most of the towns every house
was intact Among the exceptions dTe
Longuyoa and Montmedy. where few
torn buildings tell of French and Amer
lean ra ls and serial photographs OF
whose sears have long been on file at
American headquarters. Other roads are
IN excellent condition due to their dis
lance back OF the former German ilnes
and the limited use made by the elL-
my + motor trucks. The retreatinS
army left on the roads dozens of steam
rollers. which had been working almost
TO the day of its departure.
Although early victims of the war.
Belgium's inhabitants in this quar-
ter appear better off today than the
French civilians a few miles back
When the American army cnterd Nir-
ton, restaurants were being operat-
ed. and demands for coffee brought
not only this commodity, but also
sugar and cream to go with IT. Meat
was scarce. One meat dealer told
how the Germans entered his shop
on the night they left sand threw
part of his stock INTO the streets. But
he had some left, including smoked
hams, when the Americans entered.
The shops are better stocked than
those IN the French towns the same
distance back of the line. Women'S
clothing ranging from the lacy and
befrilled to smartly tailored gar
ments is prominently displayed in the
windows, while tobacconists have
their show cases filed with various
brands of cigarettes and cigars. The
wine shops have not such variety
stocks as in France, but just as
abundant; much Of it is champagne
The civilians in Virton and other viii
lagos tell stories OF German are
gance and oppression but tales OF
atrocities are few. Apparently those
Germans who were in power in that
part of Belgium ruled sternly but not
Niciously after the early part Of the
war.
st Leser is one of the places that
felt the terrible grip of the German
hand In the first year OF warfare. II
was there that 100 civilians were cx-
ecuted. When the Americans began
pouring into Nirton, the largest Of
the re-occupied towns, the inhabi-
tants had nothing too good for them.
Flags Of the allied nations flew from
almost every house front, side by
side with the Belgian colors, while
women, especially the younger ones,
appeared in their Sunday finery in
honor of the occasion. The mayor
had busy role as official host. Wo-
men and children gathered about the
men in khaki regardless Of rank.
Old women cried while they smiled
and chOked over expressions of
greetings and thanks. Aged men
spent the day in the streets, shaking
hands with American soldiers while
children followed about. eager for n
glance or a word from the strange
beings whom they addressed alter
nately III German and French, not
compromising. why they were not
understood. But they did compre-
bend tie unusual and unheard Of
manner of their own reception. Am
erican soldiers lifted the little ones
TO their shoulders. bought them
chocolates and did their best to en-
terrain them.
Continued on Page 5-CoIumn q