Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-01-15
BY GEORGE T. BYE.

Front.-In the early morning We set
out over the south route into Lille by
way of Merville, Estairs and La Bas-
see. There was a heavy mist that
would have prevented any distant
view, but luckily we pressed on. We
came across some balloon observers
who had descended because they could
see nothing.
Artillery was moving forward, an
encouraging sign. Racing on over the
fine cobblestone La Bassee road we
slowed up through little village and
saw a brigade headquarters in the
methodic military act of moving.
"We're going on to Loos," major
said. He had heard nothing of Lille
beyond a report that British patrols
had established themselves beyone
the city.
Willing to Take Any Chance.
Our map showed Loos to be SUBJ
urb Immediately connected with Lille,
and we hurried on in great expecta-
ton. A military order forbidding en-
try by troops would not apply to cor
respondents. We were reused enough
to declare we would swim canals and
walk miles for the chance to pene-
trate Frances fifth metropolis even if
we had to dodge enemy outposts.
The British engineers already had a
pontoon bridge across the canal at
Haubuordin, and at indiscreet speed
we clattered over it. There were some
shouting, crying people of Haubour-
din who wanted to Chamber aboard the
car, but we wouldn't stop.
By following street Car tracks we
reached Loos in few minutes and
had the first taste of what was to fol-
low. We slowed down to inquire d.
rections, and a mob seemed to rise
magically in the street. People fought
TO reach us and then climbed over the
back and sides of the car to embrace
and kiss US, crying continually, "Hur-
rah for the English" to which we
could only respond in French, Good
day! Good day."
Boys Lead Kissing Squad
Some little boys managed to squirm
into the back of the car, and, stand
ing on our typewriters, gas masks and
uneaten lunch, tried for monopoly OF
the kissing for a minute until we
pushed them out. Our hands were
seized ana kissed.
The Tommy driving US was half
pulled from his seat by a historical
old lady who cuddled him as if he
were baby and cried: MY dear Eng.
fish boy" He had to wipe her tears
from his face when she released him.
And the car was kissed.
Please, please. We must hurry into
Lille. Which way, please?"
One tragically happy girl, whom I
had TO seize by the shoulders to keep
her away from me, finally pointed up
the road and said: straight away.
There are no boches in Lille. They
have gone"
She was still talking when the driver
frantically twisted his klaxon and we
began to pillow through the jam, which
had collected far ahead of us.
We finally backed onto circuitous
road which led up to the Port des
Postes. the southern gate to Lille
Here we were to leave the British
captain, also the driver and car, and
exercise our civilian privilege of en-
tering the city.
Lille had had no notice of German
evacuation beyond the terrific explo-
sions at six o'clock that morning when
the bridges were blown up. MANY sol
diers had been moved from their bill.
lets In Lille homes. However, it had
been the experience of four years to
have the city alternately filed with
Germans then suddenly emptied.
when the explosions had brought the
people into the streets they were i'm
pressed by the complete disappear
ance OF the enemy. About nine O'Clock
a brave soul went into the headouar.
tiers of the kommandantur In the large
building of the prefecture of police
and found it vacated.
sritish Flyers Over CITY.
British airplanes began to fly low
over the city, but not British Tom
my was In sight
After tense minutes of anxious wait.
ing three things happened. Charles
Delasolle. Jr., French aviator and
son of the mayor of Lille, flew over
from Dunkirk and lighted on the
Champs de Mars. Two correspondents
of the Petit Parisien and LIE Matin q,
Paris trudged, after long walk
through the Armentieres gate into
Lille. Mellett and I entered the Port
de Postes. Who was first probably
will never be settled, nor is it at all
important that it should be settled, ex
cept to the entrants.
If we were beaten by few minutes
which we dispute. we know VIC baf