The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-13
EVEN GENERALS
HUNT FOR ROOMS
Paris Hotels Requisitioned for
Peace Conference Delegates
and Others 0usted.
PRICES GONE SKYW ARD
II Leaps and Bounds-French
Metropolis a Whirlpool
Of Human Confusion.
PRICES GONE sKYW ARD

(x0ndcn Tlmes-Phil. Ledger Cop. cable.)
with the American Peace Commits
sion. Paris. Jan. 1s.-They are fast
corning In and Paris is a whirlpool
ch human confusion. Peace confer
ente delegates, with their retinue Of
seoretaries and servants from the
vafIous allied countries, are swarm
inf to the French metropolis. Today
HK own domicile, the Hotel Lotti,
w8a requisitioned by the French gov
er'nment for the Belgian delegation.
The Hotel Edward VII has been
taken by the Italian delegation, the
Bristol hotel by the Japanese, the
Hotel Mercedes by the Greeks, while
the British are installed in the Ho-
tells Majestic and Astoria. Hotels
arr failing before the government
requisitioher like ripe grain before
the reaper. The Hotels Regina, Lou
voib. Campbell, Columbia and q dozen
others have been gathered in by the
peace conference requirements. Serb
ians, Rumanians and Montenegrins,
Portuguese and South Americans all
have their quarters assigned, to say
nothing OF the Poles, Czecho- -Slovaks.
JuEosSiavs and various planners of
new republics.
a Chseks Pink With Rage.
Al pretty little blonde countess,
her cheeks pink with rage, stood be-
for9 the bureau in the hotel rotunda
SAYING II can't move, / shan't. First
come NE Germans and chase me from
mydxateau in the country, which
they have ,filined. That is war. Now
come X1a French, my own country
mem 6hd chase me from my hotel
Saitf lat R1pes 4. Men Diaui''
- os1CaIas Mithnsat =. -ra6d
over her head.
Another week and the. peace delibera-
tions will be running full blast. The
preliminaries are at an end. Partici-
pants practically know now where the
other fellow stands upon the big ques-
tions. They are ready to come to close
grips in the council chamber and be-
gin jockeying for advantages. When
one realizes that the future of the en-
tire earth's surface pivots upon these
deliberations, their Importance looms in
stellar and staggering proportions. The
effect of 1t all upon the Partisan is neg
ligible. Cynical. blase. sated with self
esteem. he takes it as a matter Of
course. Paris is accustomed to be the
queen Of the ball. Except for the steady
frightening rise in the prices of every
thing to eat. drink and wear and the
cAlTd CTOWuiIS Oh TeStduTdItS' OIic
would never suspect an unusual
epochial event were transpiring. To pay
Sc for luncheon is nothing. and lucky
Is he who can escape at $40 person
at dinner. AS for rooms, suites and
apartments, rentals have gone skyward
in leaps and bounds.
Now, Golden Opportunity.
For four years landlords carried large
debts upon their books. Now comes
the golden opportunity for the harvest
Of francs. How one regrets not having
taken advantage of countless bargains
In flats before the armistice was signed
and this astounding iRrush began.
Not only have strangers from afar de-
scended upon Paris. but civilians from
all over France have planted their JOY
Gus feet in the boulevards of their be-
loved city and south their beloved cafes
and hearthstones. Then there are SOL
diers from every allied army on leave
to Paris. Only few days ago / put q
cot in my room, else the chief Of staff
OF one American army would have spent
the night in his automobile. I know of
generals who have searched In vain for
rooms in the few large hotels remaining
open to the public and ended by going
to pensions up back streets.
ArgentInes Join Crowd.
. To make matters worse, buyers are
arriving from all over the world. Paris
still sets the styles Of fashion. Eager
to be first with the new offerings, mer-
chants of Buenos Aires, Rio Janeiro and
other far-away cities have sent on their
millinery and dress experts. They over
flow in the small hotels. Also we have
with us agents of the trade, finance and
industry. here to get bargains out Of the
factories and shops broken by the war
or make deals for discarded army equip
ment.
Considering all that France has gone
through. it is indeed remarkable that
any food lis obtainable. No wonder Of
ficials shake their heads dolefully and
express the hope that no serious short
age develops before spring.