ON THE BATTLEFIELDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 87, 7 January 1920, Page 8

ON THE BATTLEFIELDS

SCENES IN BELGIUM

PARIS STILL GAY

The battlefields of Belgium were visited by Mr. Harold Beauchamp.during his recent visit to Europe. Mr. Beauchamp slated yesterday that he saw a good deal of the devastated area. Starting from Ostend, ho passed through Westend, Nieuport, Yser, Ypres, and on to Plocgsteert. "Each of these towns, and many other whoso names I cannot recall," he said, "was rcductd to a mass of ruins, there being scarcely ono stone left upon another. It is no exaggeration to say that it would be almost impossible to find one building untouched by shot or shell fire. Truly, it was a 'scene of abomination and desolation! Between the towns and villages, gunfire has blasted the beautiful woods that made tlio Belgian countryside so attractive and picturesque in pre-war days. In fact, the country to-day looks as if it has been swept by bush fires of unparalleled magnitude, black stumps now marking the place of noble trees. As one motors through this devastated area one sees further evidence of tho war in' the shape of huge masses of barbed-wire, sheets of iron and steel (twisted into all sorts of fantastic shapes), wrecked tanks, shell and cartridge cases, dug-outs, shell holes, etc., and in this low-lying sedgy country —a sea of mud in winter time—ono 'can picture the awful sufferings of our boys. When at Floegstecrt I crossed tho frontier and spent a little time in Armentieres with a, couple of British officers, who aro attending to the restoration and care of British cemeteries in that part of Franco and Belgium. It was my sad privilege to view several of these cemeteries,; and I can testify as to the efficient manner in which they aro being looked after by tho British authorities. Shortly, I -understand, a standard memorial is to be erected at the head of overy grave—no distinction, quite properly, being made between officers and privates. They are all equal in the sight of God, and each made the samo supremo sacrifice. Returning to Ostend, by another route, I saw Langcmark, where the Canadians so greatly distinguished themselves, and near to Langemark, tho big .gun that was used in shelling Dunkirk. "In the course of my journey I' noticed many German, prisoners—all looking sleek and well fed, and Chinamen engaged in restoration work. It was almost the closo of tho season when I wa6 in Ostend, yet. tho town was full of visitors, mostly of the tripper, class. Thousands were indulging in bathing, whilst large numbers patronised tho race meetings (held almost daily), the Casino and other places of amusement. With bands playing and people indulging in all forms of enjoyment, it was difficult to realiso thai only a few months ago Ostend was in the occupation of tho Huns! The city was not damaged much by the enemy. "The weather in mid-October becoming wet, cold and foggy, I left London then for the South of France, breaking iriv journey for a few days in Paris, which city was full of visitors. The streets, gardens and parks in the gay city all showed signs of neglect, very little public money beiiur expended thereon in war time. The most noticeable thing in Paris, and, indeed, throughout the whole of France, whilst I was there was the great scarcity of small change. Owing to tho abnormally high price of silver tho franc is intrinsically worth more than its face value, which induced many people, especially of tho peasant class, to hoard. The 6itpply of iilthy ono franc notes was quite unequal to tho demand, so that in making purchases or pnying for services rendered, it was frequently necessary to part with a five-franc note for something costing, 6ay, 1, 2 or 3 francs; it was cither that or going without the article, or service, required. In many places, such as 6hops and restaurants, notices were affixed to windows, ( etc., "No cliango given.'' Just before sailing por It.M.S. Ormonde, from Toulon, a most drastic regulation waa'passed by the French Government, prohibiting any person from leaving Hie country witli more than 1000 francs-or the equivalent thereto of any money in his possession. This difficulty, of course, is overcome by travcllors depositing with a bank any money they may have in excess of 1000 francs, and taking a draft for tho amount of such deposit. Any infringement of this regulation is punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, and confiscation of ono's money."