The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-20
Local Data

in France, but just as abundant; much of it is champagne.
 The civilians in Virton and other vil- lages tell stories of German arrongance and oppression, but tales of atrocities are few Apparently those Germans who were in power in that part OF Bel gium ruled sternly, but not vlciously after the early part of the war.
 St Leger is one of the places that felt the terrible grip of the German hand in the first year of warfare It was there that 100 civilians were exc cuted.
 When the Americans began pouring into Virton, the largest of the reoccu- pied towns, the population had nothing too good for them. Flags of the allied nations flew from almost every house front, side by side with the Belgian col ors while women, especially the young | CT ones, appeared in their Sunday finery l in honor of the occasion. The mayor 1 had a busy role as official host CRY AS THEY SMILE 1 Women and, children gathered about the men in khaki, regardless of rank, the enlisted men receiving almost aA much attention as he wore the insignia | of rank Old women cried while they smiled and choked over expressions Of igreetings and thanks. Aged men spent | with American soldiers, while children followed about, eager for glance or a word from the strange beings whom they addressed alternately in German land French, not experiencing why they were not understood.
 But they did comprehend the unusual and unheard of manner of their own re- Iception. American soldiers lifted the little ones to their shoulders, bought them chocolates and did their best to entertain them.
 Two tots of about years watched the marching troops from the seat of a motorcycle sidecar, which was parked lby the roadside, and boy year older sat on the drivers seat guarding" 1t for the dispatch rider who was gettlns "a cup of coffee nearby.
 At St. Leger all the civilians gathered in the main street an hour before the troops marched in. One old man bore the flag of his country, and behind him was a small, hastily recruited brass band. When the troops arrived the crowds shouted themselves hoarse
 The old mans flag was saluted by the officers of the American command
 MAYOR OPENS HOUSE
 Children began to race after the march ing columns. Crowds gathered abou, every detachment The mayor opened ms house ana lHSlSLeQ upoIi oSfNAA5 WAii> and offered his hospitality to any Amer ican who would lodge with him.
 There, as in towns further back, was
 met the intending stream of repatrlateo
 men. Prisoners of war, soldiers or al
 most every allied nation, tramped toward
 the advancing American line. Most o1
 them were in fair physical condition
 even if grotesquely clad. All are be ! ing sent to the rear for Classification , and transportation to their own armies , or to their homes.
 . The Germans had one hospital in Vlr : ton When they left they found 1t in convenient to evacuate all the patlent and some were left, the civilians agree ing to care for them. The mayors proc
 lamations calling upon the inhabitants '
 care for the sick. feed the prisoners
 war and returning civilians were poste
 prominently about the city, alongside Ger
 man orders regulating the sale or drinks designating certain restaurants TOT oi 3 ficers and others for men. Beside ther X appeared theatre bills of concerts an
 vaudeville The Germans were not With
 out amusement wherever they staye and motion picture shows ana theatre
 are preparing to open tonight.
 It has been suggested that the ap 4 parent prosperity of the villages entered as indicated by the quantities or 1000 the restaurants, may not be whoily req and that perhaps it is due more 10 th fact that the Germans had seen 10 that the restaurants and shops the
 patronized were we'll cared for. Wha
 were seen by the Americans arter al
 were only limited stocks.