The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-12-07
SORROW SEEN IN
LAND p hDER[D
BY BRUTAL HUN

- ~ ~ ~ esSBu
Evian, France, Dec. 6.-(Corres-
pondence OF The Associated Press.)-
The return to France of the women.
children and old men who were sent
out of that part Of France occupied
by Germans for more than four years
presented pitiful spectacles. Many Of
the refugees were little tots whose
fathers and mothers had been taken
away by the cruel Boche to work in
Germany or behind the fighting lines.
Others were orphans
Twice daily the affecting scenes OF
their reeurn Were enacted here when
the trains bringing them through
Switzerland bringing 900 to TOO re-
patriates back to the beloved soil Of
France. With them were Belgians,
who came from parts Of Belgium then
occupied by the Hun. Much was
done to relieve the sufferings of these
poor people by S. S. Rowland, repre-
sentative OF the Belgian Relief Com
mission stationed here, and by Mrs.
Rowland. his wife.
Describing the scene Of the reurn
OF trainload of refugees, Mr.. How
land writes:
Slowly, the long line came to-
wards us. the old and the young about
equally divided-alas, but few of mid
die age, for the Germans had use for
such and would not let them go.
While few showed traces Of actual
destit lion, we knew that but a small
number possessed more than the
clothes they Wore and what the hand
bags and bundles they carried con-
tanned
They were not emaciated but their
faces were worn, sometimes anemic.
How could they be otherwise after the |
years Of constant suffering and ocn-
tin,ed horrors they had endured, with |
no hope OF release before them but |
victory for the allies. or perchance |
the good fortune to be enrolled in one |
of these little bands of repatries.
Now and again someone would
rush out from the sidewalk. to greet a
relative or friend recognized AFTER
years of absence, but though such in
stances were rare, they served to
buoy up the hopes of the rest that
perhaps farther along they, too.
would be as fortunate.
Two short rests were made that
the seemingly countless children
might be able to keep up. Brave lit
lie tots they We're, holding close to
their mothers, II they had them, ori
f not to those who had befriended
hem on the way. for many were or
ohans. or had had their parents taken
away by the Germans to work Per-
maps. hundreds of miles from their
aomes.
Inside the great rooms of the
Casino long lines of tables set for
supper filled almost the entire space.
As the repatries filed in. women
showed them to their seats, while
others distributed small French flags
o young and old alike-the flag that
NICE more they might wave freely.
Bowls of soup, slices of good
,read. hot well-cooked meat and long !
classes Of red wine still further cheer ,
d the hearts of the strangers SO that
When the orchestra in its gallery be-
an to play well known and cherished !
french airs-afrs that had not been
eard before in al these long weary
-ears-tears streamed down the !,
heeks Of many, and of 1ookers-on as
Yell, while hands and voices pro- !
laimed their keen delight.
No man did We see between four :
cen and sixty unless he was
ill or crippled, and compar- !,
lively few women who had not long /.
ince passed their prime. = Mothers
ad been separated from sons and
aughters dragged off by the Boche /.
. work in factories and mines, even
a Notifications to be used against ),
heir own kin.
The feast was nearing its end when :
he sub-perfect mounted the rostrum !
nd began to speak. Instantly there : :
ras silence. He dwelt upon Frances :
I've for he rpeople, her sorrow for !
heir sufferings. E
His words had hardly ceased when |.
ne band struck up the Marseillaise. !.
he old. the young. the halt, the :
lind sprang to their feet, trying their .
est to join in the refrain, but fire. ..
uently prevented by sheer nervous
xhaustion. Sobs could be heard and
ne faces of most of the women and :
lany of the men We're hidden in the !.
andkerchiefs with which they wiped
way their Tears Of low, e