New-York tribune., 1918-04-18
German Invaders
Change Arcadia
Into Living Hell
Sad-Eyed, Mute Flanders
Folk Swept On by Ad-
vancing Hordes
Horror Numbs Brains
Picturesque Villages and
Green Fields Ruined By
Teuton Blight
| By Tho Associated Prss]


WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, April 17..-It is difficult for
one in the British war zone to adjust
himself to the new conditions here. 1t
all seems like horrid drcam-this
spreading German blight across the cul
tivated plains of Flanders, with their
ancient, picturesque villages.
1t is only little more than a week
since one was free to motor quietly
along highways leading through Mer-
Vile, Bailleul and a score of other
nearby places which never lost their
charms. Then peaceful farmlands lay
freshly turned ready for the spring
crops. The battle lines were not far to
the eastward, but death and destruc-
ton seemed remote, with walls Of
khaki-clad men guarding the land. Lit
tie lads stood at attention by the road
side and saluted as the motors passed,
and old men and women beamed well
come from the doors of their cottages.
Within few days all this has been
changed. The plague of war has de-
sccnded on the countryside. Now one
meets his civilian friends-the little
folk and the aged-from many hamlets
making their way sadly back along the
the tide Of invasion which is driving
them from all they hold dear
They look back on the rolling fields
that separate them from their little
world. BY day bank of grim, gray
smoke from burning hamlets and from
: myriad belching guns marks the zone
along which are struggling the splen-
did British soldiers in their efforts to
block further inroads of the Hun. By
night the skyline is sometimes a lurd
blaze as consuming flames leap up from
hundred homes and great cannon
vomit volcanic fire. 1t is a living hell.
1t is part of heretofore untouched
Flanders going the way Of the devas-
tated regions of the Somme, and so the
gentle peasant folk stand and look or
wander on. AS they go they cannot
comprehend it. Its awfulncss has
numbed their brains.
| The correspondent found little
family group crouchng beneath huge
British howtzers held in reserve Their
eyes were fastened on the mounting
columns of smoke which rose from the
village whence they came. There were
no tears and no words, but the express
sion on their faces was like that of one
just condemned to die.
Why they stopped beside the great
guns was unexplained. Possibly it was
lection from dangers out beyond. Many
of the refugees know only in general
way whittier they go. They are fol
lowing the lead of military guides like
sheep fleeing from storm. A few
cherished belongings are all they carry
with them, and they cling to these des.
perately as their last remaining posses
sions.
Destroy Own Valuables
1t was only yesterday that a British
official photographer, who was record
ing the history Of the war on his film
discovered q helpless paralytic lying i,
wrecked by shells. The invalid had NJ
relatives, and his friends. who ha,
looked after him were dead or cut of
; from him. So the photographer, will
| the assistance of a soldier, carried tn
man to safety, though their road la,
through what might have been hor
, rible death at any moment. This i
one instance among many.
Sometimes a17 there Us is no way of say
, come first under the fire Of the Ger
, man troops. Relics and treasures rep
, resenting the savings of years hav
been abadoned to the flames an
plunderers. Many things have bee
r deliberately destroyed by their owner
: in order that the Germans might no
1 get them.
The correspondent, spent night re
Gently at small hotel in hamle
whose doom seemed to be sealed. Tn
grayhaired matron who presided owe
the destinies of the inn was gettin
ready to leave. Her husband is a
officer in the French army, and tn
was left alone to care, not only fo
her establishment, but for her thre
children. It was q touchinr SIGHT !