South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-16

ment like buildings on the square instinct with the
true German spirit of essential ugliness and ndenb
efficiency. I'VE superior race" This even tho
German graves the battlefield Glamour
forth.
Even the the Germans did they began the
OF restoring the cathedral portal they placed
figures of the prophets one has the face OF VIII
lam the Second, although II purpors representa-
uon or the prophet Daniel This restless desire 10
their might, their pride finds more sgnigi-
cant expression than in this
cathedral restoration expressed features of
this statue contentng themselves with only chanin
hands is a pretty Jest and vet one feels the en-
during strength Of the German thing which defies
humor, wit common sense. lies, superior all
western standards
SUPREME ACHIEVEMENT
Is MIGHTY ESPLANADE.
But perhaps the German achievement
the mighty espanade they constructed along the banks
of the Moselle, an avenue with something OF the mag
nificence of Riverside Drive, lined with their
heroes. bearing the portentous name Of Merovingan
Avenue, providing conquerors with an oppor-
tunity 10 look out toward the forts which they had
constructed to watch the conquered For
all in ALL everywhere has a sense of this German
determination his conquest his gospel o.
blood and iron, the advance guard OF his efficiency
everything he built. the espanaGe the French
turn is commemOrated by simple satisfying symbol.
from commanding eminence the equestrian statue
of William T. of Gez surveyed the country
side. looking menacngly toward France. and when
the French came back they overturned the statue and
o it's pedestal put n plaster monument Of a Poilu
bodied thcklegged broadshOudered soldier oe
Verdun. and beneath ii wrote this legend. ION a.
C'Weve got en-.
SO much for Metz on the material side one must
it understand it, There nothing quite like
in Europe the Of the world 1t DIT OF old
France when the German took it. Ie SURROUNDED
with his monuments he weighed it with his chains.
civilizations. ideas cry agains-
each other at every turn. Strasbourg city of
own sort, neither French German, taken by arms
first but France in long decade OF occupation.
married by her own consent TO France after the ReNO
luton but asatian always possessed OF her soul
and retaining it. Metz French nothing and the
burden of its agony written in every
MASTER OF MACHINES,
MAKER OF ENEMIES.
Down in Paris find my American associates begin
ming talk. They say the German func-
toned final stage of dissolution. German
order still prevails on the Asace- Lorraine railway
while France all is confusion. The German had
way about him; he was master or organizatloni You
feel the instructive American appreciation OF it, But
Metz the other side leaps your sight Ehicen-.
master Of machines yes; but with all his machines
and efficiency he made only enemies and miser.-
Up the plat by Gravelotte there stands pa
thetic Russian prison camp. Thousands OF forsakeIl
Russians lived labored there. starved and died
They too, administered by the German machine.
and are scattered all the hills ThaC
camp, like the railroad station and parks is gmbOl
monument German efficiency.
The odd thing about Metz too, Is that for once-anI
do not recall that it has before happened IN his
tory-a mechanically superior civilization. better ma
organization, failed lost had give place
older and less effective order. The answer -
simple The maerialism too gross, the power to-
crushed the soul with the very burden OF its
works il failed. France is beginuiu2
again on the middle MoseIle French spirit French
civzaton-you have a very odd but cumulative sense
France itself flowing back what ancienty uu-
disputed French soil
CAN FEEL WHAT THE
GERMAN MENACE WAS.
But again and again I'm Metz had the feeling that
only in such circumstance that my American
compatriots like myself could feel accurately what ihs
German menace which threatened ali Of us WITH
organization spiritual death with admir-
ably and city blocks and parks which,
while taking away western traditions or hoeIts
sought 10 reconcile gently but violently by the
very of its construction the horse power Of s
machines
You can see how the soul Of this little French town
crushed out just the Russian prisoners Up
the Hill You be German, die; there was
room anyone else The spirit stirred here
1870, famed all Belgium anJ Northern France
1914 but Metz you felt had resurrected thS
German strain: the things which lately terror
lied the world conceived here Here the German
for 80 years gloried the power 20 yranize abuse
prosecute: OF the late
a century. What he did the soul Of Messn he did
the body Of citizens OF LouFain and 20 score u
French cities.
Meantime-and II is my final impresslou-despite
and cold. hardships Of food and transportation.
has OF spring Metz sense OF the begin
faces there everywhere signs OF deverancei part
France joyousy, completely returned 70 Ia pa
OF the German emperor and his marshals
from their pedestais they no Longer looked
haefully France which survived 1870; the con-
trary after his long vigil ne still faces fearessy
eastward towards Germany. and the pou on his boche
empIacement his toward MS fatherland and
Messin." longer with the inournful "Qusnd Meme
the past the watchword OF hope defeat but with
the messaze-"On Les Ar-''We've Got En-"