The Kadoka press. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1923-current, 1923-11-30
EUROPEAN IMPRESSIONS
GIVEN BY 5. ID. FARM BUREAU
South Dakota men find European
Batlieiields nearly restored
to normal

Huron, S. d.. Nov. 27-Geo. "A
: Starring. secretary of the South
Dakota Farm Bureau federation,
who is in Europe as IA member OF
the American Farm Bureau dele
mic situation there with especial
reference to its reactions on Amer
lcan agriculture. writes from Par
Is on November to the state head
quarters here regarding some Of
his general impressions, as follows:
After we completed certain in
lcstieations in England, we eros
S2d the North Sea to Belgium.
The journey from Brussels to Par
Is was made by automobile, by way
of Mons, Cambri, st. Quentin, Sois-
sons, Chateau Thierry and Meaux.
Most of this region is rich agricul-
tural land and considerable port
ion of the World War battle lines.
War Region Rapidly Recovering
We were surprised to find that
the farmlands of the devastated
regions were SO rapidly being brou
chit back to civilization. the ruins
| and derbis being mostly removed,
trenches levelled, and in most in
stances only lighter colored spots
OF upturned subsoil TO remind one
chat here had been great shell
holes or lines of trenches. We saw
only occasional machine gun nests
or bomb shelters. Along the roads
We saw miles of tangled barbed
wire which had been dragged from
the fields. An occasional group of
lahorers was cutting the wire into
cQpvenlent lengths and baling it
t6r the foundries. When one real
iIQs that the war made more than
100000 acres Of land temporarily
ultillable, he appreciates the en-
ormous strides made by the peas
q is in retaining their fields.
ne repairing and reconstruct
ION work in the towns has been Of
immense proportions, but an m
ormous task still faces these people.
:trects and roads, for the most
p 'rt are repaired and servicable.
i any Iaml lies are yet living in
t lnporary structures grouped to-
tether like great army camps. The
" " buildings appear more modern
q superior to the old. Instead Of
eng d0Wncast and overw whclmed
lth the job before them. the peo-
p . seem recOnsiled to their lot, but
tcrnined that Germany shall
pay the damages.
Without entering into the dis
c"SSIOn OF separations. the fact re-
aims that the devastated regions
h1vo come back to an enormous
degree, the chief factor in the re-
{ very being the patient peasants.
tr>nco especially has fostcrcd agr-
l1iturc, and out Of the war there
. signs that more enlightened
ID lappy farm life will come.
"@riclturc is now the first con
IN Of official France.
Belgian Women In Fields
1t was common sight in Belgium
o see whole families at work har-
Nsst ing the beet crop, men, women
nj children, using cows as draft
q 1imals IN many cases. Farmers
tn whom We visited explained
at the Germans had taken many
y heir hA.ses which they had not
been able to replace. The COWS
ere used also for dairy purposes.
TIC ia ms are small, and the farm
as live in groups or villages
strung along the roads close to-
tier.
" We leave tonight for Denmark
where we will make some studies
o. conditions there with especial
j. fe ence TO cooperative marketing
.. farm products. Then we shall
sit the Rhur and Germany to in
vostigate the agricultural and mar
k t situation and get some light on
tie other side of the reparations
GiIpst ion g