The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-08-31
.TODAY'S PARIS
CHANGED FROM
WARTIME PARIS
Returning Dcughboys Will
Notice Changes, Such as
Total Lack of MPS

Paris, Aug. 3l.-(NEA)--"So this
is Paris again." crstwhlc doughboys
will be exclaiming as they dcbouch
from boat trains and strut forth to
attend the American Legion conven-
ton.
But they will not see the same
Paris they knew nine and ten years
ago. The France of today is not the
France Of the war.
Few Uniforms
In the good old days" practically
every man between the ages of eigh-
teen and fifty wore uniform, but
now about the only native uniforms
abroad in Paris are those worn by
police, postmcn, and street car work
erS.
Frenc'' trains now run according
to schedule, and it no lonpcr is prac-
teal to stick an elbow through IL
window to get little fresh air. In
the old days this was quite the vogue
when American soldiers got tired of
opening windows that French soldiers
closed, but now the fresh air ficnd
will most certainly be arrested if he
takes liberties.
Tickets now are required on the
trains, moreover. 1t does not do
any good simply to say that you
don't understand the language, or to
offer tobacco coupon. Fares have
been cut in half for Legionnaires, but
the half must be paid.
French still is the common language
here, but in Paris, Havre. Brcst,
Bordeaux, Tours. Chalon, Toul.
Nancy and way stations most natives
still remember the English phrases
they picked up during the last Ameri-
can invasion. If the visiting veteran
still recalls his smattering of French
everybody will get along famously.
To-Day there is not an M. p. or an
r. T. o. in all France. Veterans who
will miss them and perhaps for the
first time appreciate them.
Unchanged
Among the aspects Of the country
that remain the same are "combien'
and foot sweet" With reference to
the former, Americans can, as pre-
yiously, hold out handful Of funny
money and be fairly sure that only
the right amount will be taken. In
regard to the latter, they can be sure
it still means what it used to-that
what they want will come in due time,
without any unreasonable rush.
Veterans are warned not to drink
the Franch water. What the doctor
said in 1917 still goes. A drink Of
French water and an American stom-
ach do not agree any more than they
did ten years ago. But no need to
20 thirsty. Those old campaigners
and comrads Of the American forces,
the Van brothers, Rouge and Blanc.
still are going strong and are ready
to march with the boys.
Most of the towns that the Ameri-
cans smashed up, for strategic rea-
sons, have been restored and look
, a lot better-for, the. misunderstanding.
About the only trace of the old army
visible in most rural districts today
is an occasional motor truck, with the
familiar "U. S. A." lettering. still do.
i, inc good service over the bunny
roads.
Old Friends
After all these years the most i'm.
. rressive thing is the way in which
: friendships born of those darker days
. still survive. The dear old people
that the fighting Yanks knew have
!. long since turned back to their crops
and livestock. But they have not for.
gotten.
New they are getting out those
. curiously hand-wovcn flags of a few
stripes and not many more stars. ane
hanging them out. ey await tn.
return of their American acquaint
ances most eagerly.