The Glenwood post., 1919-06-07
FRENCH PEOPLE
ARE UNROMANT|C
Interesting Reflections on the
"Y' by American Soldier
Stationed in France
AMERICAN SUGAR HIGH

n b. Easterbrook of the force Of
the Holy Cross forest of this city has
received an interesting letter from a
friend who has spent the past eighteen
months in the artillery service of the
American army in the field in France.
TAs gsatleman in question is a Catho-
lie and therefore might be supposed
to belong to or favor another helpful
auxiliary organization than, though not
opposed to the Y. NJ. C. A., and it is
because of the fair and reasonable
character of the young man s criti-
cisms of the "Y" that this letter is
herewith reproduced
Since last writing you l have stayed
couple of months-up to January
between Dunsur-M Mouse and Stenay.
From there we went to Luxembourg
and were quartered in country villages
there.
The country is undoubtedly pictur-
esque and romantic, but the people,
though generally hospitable, are dull
and unromantic. Luxembourg city
with adjoining towns) has about
$4,000 and has rather modern buildings
as well as many broad avenues.
But there is absolutely nothing to do
m n. all
the evening. Many of the people ara
ro-German though even they are
mostly irritated by the German occu
patton and rationng; but the majority
of the people are French in their sym
pathies.
Now l am at Brest and expect to load
for good old U. s. A. within a week.
We are at Camp Pontaniezen, about
which there was the big uproar some
months ago. Then it deserved the
criticism, or at least part of it. Last
year it rained here 236 days out of the
3S5. This place was naturally marshy
Consequently when they first used this
as an embarkation camp it was IL
morass The men detailed to prepare
it worked hard, but on starting they
were too few and lacked material.
At first, duck boards were the means
of keeping you out Of the mud. They
are now berg replaced with board
walks. There are still many corduroy
roads, but they are being macadam-
lied.
| have had most ENJOYABLE leave
to Nice, passing via Paris, Laurnur.
Lyon and Marseilles. From Nice l
visited Monte Carlo (and entered the
gambling rooms) and Mention, from
there about a kilometre into Italy.
Then l had three days. leave to
Paris and went via Brussels. Brussels
is some town, gayest in Europe excep.
Vienna. There was sound of rev
elry by night Brussels approaches
an American town, broad boulevards
good pavements, modern hotels, with
Peacock Alleys" and "The Dams
ante;' women resembling American
and beautifully colored clothes Ger
man dyes, l imagine).
There is plenty of American sugar
and chocolate there, but prices are the
highest 1 have struck. But after Wis
iting Brussels, Paris seemed dull.
But Paris has been and still is sub
dued. Restaurants had to close ut II
p. m; dances at 11:30, if club, and
1890 if not. American dancer are
the rage, though they are trying to re
vive q modified tango also. The NAL !,
in Lu1embourge and France will b,
glad to see us go.
Labor conditions are bad here. Wagel
haven't kept step with H. G. Of l.
Also the old class distinctions still hav,
some force. They wouldn 7 let me int,
Metz on May 1, though / packed 1:
with 81 rounds IN my clip. Ever.
American Militaire" in Paris, sys.
the Sarbonne students were ordered I,
keep of The streets May 1.
As . matt r of fact in Paris ,c o
two were killed and rbout 300 or NOR
wounded during the riots there.
think that the A. e. F. will be facto
for stability when It returns to ncrma
Ife. "Internationalism in that Sris
viii never attract the returned soldie