Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-13
THANKSGIVING SERVICES
FOR C|TY's DEL|VERANCE
Citizens Gather to Worship God Of
Hosts in Famous Amiens
49, Cathedral.
STRUCTURE STILL STANDING
German Shells Ruined Some Of the
Precious Old Stained Glass, but
No Serious Damage Has Been
Done to Fabric.
rs, international News Bureau

AMIENS, FRANCE, October 12.-This
morning, after Amiens Cathedral had
been silent and behind it's sandbass
and barbados for nearly five months.
a SOLEMN service or Thanksgiving and
supplication was held in the ancient
'>fane In gratitude for the delivery of
the city from the immediate presence
OF tho enemy.
The German offensive having been
launched on March 81, by the 24th 1t
was evident that Amiens was in danger.
On the night of the 24;h-2sth enemy
aviators bombed tho city very severely,
causing much material damage and
some loss of life.
On the following morning the civil
Han population began TO move from
the city. The exodus was encouraged
by the authorities. There was a good
deal Of nervousness, but no panic, and
the crowds which began streaming to
tho railway Station and out by the
roads In all kinds OF vehicles went
spontaneously, subjected 10 a good
deal o: chatting from the stouter or
/less prudent souls who remained be-
hind.
Part of the city which had suffered
most from the bombing OF the proceed
Ing night was the eastern and south
eastern side, especially towards Lon
Sueau, where the large railway yards
are situated. and 1t was this section
OF the town, which is also the side
nearest the approaching enemy, which
wAs first evacuated.
.Peopie continued to leak away all
through the day OF the 25th, but on
tuesday. the 26th, the central part OF
tho town still bore a fairly normal as
pect, and most Of the shops remained
AS reports of the German advance
eo ani led ID during the day, however,
and the prepre,ors and s,a sHsI pre HaTtS
TO Depart from the city next morning.
IhSt evening after wprk was done
in the direction Of Querrieu. and saw
the first shells from the German guns
1Ill in the area of the suburb of Rivery.
serious bombing took place
This time tho aviators attacked the
central portions OF the town. and bombs
hotels about the Place Rene Goblet
ana and the dsnsely populated area from
and on the Rue de In Republioue Not
many people in Amiens were above
ground that night and there was little
OF German aviators flew over the city
al! night. and the uproar of the anti.
a'5 Tha s spnS never sT,e ceased "aL.o
spent that nigh, in a hotel, the glass
or So, which h WAS all broken. the windows
Uo.ns ourst Open while three lives
were lost In the street Immediately
outside
Panic would seem to have been ex-
cnsaole. but the civil authorities OF
wisdom OF encouraging an orderly cxo-
aus during the preceding two days was
now evident, for the number OF peo-
duced. '"e cry was h'uch re-
SALOON AMONG LAST IN
CITY TO CLOSE Doors
The British army did all it could to
help the people get themselves ana
neu properties away decently and
without haste. and by the evening OF
mat day Amiens was practically de-
Even in the center some shopkeepers
had the hardihood some time longer to
Keep their places OF business open, and
particularly remember an English
chemist Il weil-known bar-room and a
charcuterie just opposite the Hotel du
Rhine. There were, l believe, many
others.
The last meal which. personally, 1
had in Amiene. after having slept i'm
more peaceful ne!ghborhood three pre-
cedlng nights, was on the evening of
Saturday. March 80. when / had tea
at the Y. NJ. c. a. hut. which continued
through these days 10 be great COM
ior1 10 SUCH bri.ish AS were still com
city. -.
From that time onwar ds. the Germans
bombed Amiens at night at irregular
within reach. shelled il steadily every
day.
From time to time have described in
detail the damage TO the cathedral.
These are far from being IRENE dia Bile.
though some very precious old stained
glass has gone forever No serious
structural damage has been done to
the fabric. Much OF the best glass.
moot OF the large windows and the
greater part OF the fine carvings re-
main unhurt. The breakages are most
ly such can be easily repaired. and
some minor dctacemcn,s viii doubtless
be allowed to remain perpetual mon
Tnients 10 German savagcry
General Fochs promise at the end Of
March that AmicnS would never be
taken by the enemy sounded bold to
rashRess al the time. but the generals
si,no knew whereof he spoke. The
German advance had already reached
Its limit ana the tide, OF which the last
week has seen so rapid an cbb. was
already a. its height.
Heartened BY General Foch's words,
a certain small humber @! people. in
Guiding some women with children
have continued 10 cling TO their homes
though living chiefly underground. and
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA