Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-11-20

which had been working almost TO the
day of its departure.
STORES WELL STOCKED.
Although early victims of the war, Bel
guim's inhabitants in this quarter appear
better of today than the French civilians
few miles back.
When the American Army entered
Nirton, restaurants were beng operated,
ms 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 and threw
part of his stock into the street. But he
had some left, including smoked hams,
when the Americans enterd.
The shops are better stocked than
those in the French towns the same
distance back of the line. Women $
clothing, ranging from the lacy ana
befrilled to smartly tailored garments,
is prominently displayed in the WIN
dows, while tobacconlsts have their
show cases filed with various brands
of cigarettes and cigars. The vine shops
have not such varied stocks as in France,
hut lust as abundant, much of 1T Is
champagne
The civilians in Nirton and other
villages tell stories Of German arrogance
and oppression, but .alcs of atrocities
are few Apparently those Germans who
were In power in that part OF Belgium
ruled sternly, but not viciously after the
early part of the war.
LIRERAToRs WELCOMED.
St Leger is ono of the places that fcit
the terrible grip of the German mana III
the first wear of warfare. 1t was there
that 100 civilians were executed.
When the Americans began pouring
into Nirton, the largest of the reoccu-
pied towns, the inhabitants 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
fincrv in honor of the oecasion. ne
Mayor had a busy role as otflcIai host.
Women and children gathered about
the men In khaki, regardless OF rank, the
enlisted man receiving almost rs Inuch
attention MS he W wore the insignia of
rank. Old women cried while they smiled,
and chokcd 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 glance or word from the
strange being whom they addressed
alternately in German and French, not
COMMUNICATING why they were not under
stood
SIGNS or FRIENDSHIP.
But they did comprehend tho unusual
and unhcard of manner Of their own re-
ccption American soldiers lifted the
little ones to their shoulders, bought the
chocolates and did their best to on
train them:
Two tots OF about four years watched
the marching troops from tho seat ot y
motorcycIc side car which was parked
by the roadside. and 4 boy wear old
sat on the drivers scat. guarding II
for despatch rider who was getting a
cup Of coffee nearby.
At st Legcr All the civilians gather
"a In the main street an hour before
the troops marched in One old man
bore the flag Of his country, and behind
him was = small. hastily recruited brass
band When the troops arrived the
crowds shouted themselves hoarsc. The
old man $ flag was salutcd by the officers
ug the American command.
Children began 70 race after the
marching columns Crowds gathered
about every detachment | nc Mayor
opcned his house and insisted upon
serving wine and offering hls hospi-
tality to any American who would
| lodge with him
There. rs in town further back, was
| mot an uncndng stream of rcpatrlatcd
men Prisoners of war soldiers of nj
| most every Allied nation, trampcd to-
| ward the advancing American line
Most oi them were IN fair physical
condition. even II grotesQuclN clad.
AT are tcing sent to the rear for classI-
fication and transportation 70 Their
own armies or to their homes.
The Germans had ono hospital IN
Virton. When they left they found II
inconvenicnt to cvacuate all the pa
ticnts and some were left. the civilians
agreeing to care for them. The Mayor s
proclamation calling upon the inhahlt-
| ants to care for the sick feed the prisoners
| Of war and returning civilians We're post
| ed prominently about the city, along
| side German orders regulating the sale
| Of drinks. designating ccrtaif restaurant
| for officers and others for men. Pc
side them appeared theatre bills of con
| certs and vaudeville The Germans
were not without amusement where
ever they STAYED, and motion pictur,
shows and theatres are preparing L
open tonight.
Y