Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-12
YANKS SIGHTSEEING IN FRANCE
AS THE GUESTS OF UNCLE SAM
Visits to Mediterranean Resorts and Semi
Alpine Regions Provided Minus Expense
for Doughboys Awaiting Return Home

other good peoples are quite awake
to the problem of keeping their boys
contented In France. now that there
is no enemy straight ahead Albeit
many of these who have nearly won
three service bars and have seen
most of the active fronts during their
year and more in France, do not ask
amusement nor entertainment nor
little at the hands of the good Sa-
maritans sent for their comfort. but,
rather. they only crave transporta-
ton back across the Atlantic AL
that tout suite"
The government has designated
leave areas for the various Army
corps lingering in France, and there
is almost no choice of climate nor
atmosphere but what is provided in
the list of places indicated for the
pleasure of the soldier-vaca tionists
All of the big cities in central and
southern France are included and
those In eastern and western France
are excepted only because the men
SEQ the eastern towns and ports on
landing in this country and the west
ern cities they helped rescue from
the Germans during the months just
closed.
Mediterranean Resorts Open.
There are MarseiIIe and Nice. as
we'll az other Mediterranean resorts,
where the soldiers may sojourn dur
ing their se.en-daY pass: Lyon and
Tours, which have been headquarters
for American troops and supplies;
Axle balm. with its Incompatible
mineral baths; Orleans, Neufchateau
and little Dom -re-niy, identified with
Frances immortal heroine, Jeanne
d.Arc; Langres. that city upon
mountain. with its ancient fortifica-
lions still intact: Rouen. Dion Besan-
con and a score of other places where
one might well spend seven of the
best days he ever lived without ever
emitting a yawn or being overcome
with ennUi.
Paris is tres difficile" to visit. that
is. from a furlough standpoint as the
French and American governments
are too busy there with peace and
the business Of housekeeping after
the war. So visitors to the French
capital are not encouraged. other than
the absolutely necessary ones, and the
very desirable pink papers that will
admit one to Paris on the trains are
few indeed, unless you have. a sill
yer spread eagle or more on your
great coat o. course. II you have in
genuity enough to hop n freight train
to the suburbs of the great French
and then hide in an in
going American auto truck-that is
else once again, Norris
but IL NJ. p. fnot member Of par
lament, but military policeman) dis
Germs you within the city limits with
out the necessary pink permission
you're Just naturally out OF luck
that's all! Lille, Metz. Verdun and
Nancy, too. are not much easier to
enter now without opposition than
they were in 1914-15-16, etc Those
places are in the midst of reconstruct
ton and sightseers are about as well
come as the recent visitor. influenza,
which should be called "outfluenza"
Excepting these few localities where
temporary uriwelcome zone has been
blue-penciled on the vacation map
of France there is hardly any re-
striction on the men who helped save
France and England and Brooklyn
and Petworth, ad inf1nitum. All across
france today, with a few deletions
noted, you'll find America--young
strong. vigorous America-enjoying
itself, while that good old uncle foots
the bill; bill he pays as cheerfuliy
as he pays his munitions. food and
clothing bills or any other debt so
iegitimately contracted.
Travel by Divisions.
Let not the impression be made that
individual troops can go helterskelter
over France inhaling the scenery and
climatic benefits while his generous
old relative assumes the expense.
separate divisions according to the
general tastes of that particular di-
vision, and where one man of the or
ganization visits. the others also go.
About 10 per cen. of a division is
usually granted permission" as the
French call 1t, at a time. That is close
to 1000 men and the whole party
travels from its billeting area to the
vacation area on special train,
which returns from the vacation point
with a quota of soldiers which has
Just completed its sojourn.
southern France, the vineyard sec
tion,. with it's wan environs and
proximity to the Mediterranean. is
the most popular with the men of
the A E. F. as a place to think
1t over" and stroll along the sand.
clad only in those abbreviated effects
for which the domestic nodistes are
famous. or, perhaps, infamous.
And next to the seashore in great
est favor with the survivors of the
world war is section quite in con-
trast with the Mediterranean re-
sorts--the semi Alpine. regions To-
Gated perhaps 300 kilometers north
ward and covered with feet of snow
the winter through. The Auvergne
range, here in Puy-de-Dome and in
the vicinity of Clermont-Ferrnnd,
where some time back in the eighth
century Caesar's armies hit the to-
borKan, furnish abundant tobogan.
ming and skiing and skating for those
who have q weakness for frozen eli
bows and thumbs and badly bruised
hips. This section ix@ths mecca e.