BRITISH ARMY IN GERMANY.

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 483, 25 October 1923, Page 3

BRITISH ARMY IN GERMANY.

• OUR TROOPS NOT DISLIKED. BY FREDRICK STUBBS, F.R.U.M (All Mights Reserved.) 1 was glad io g<.-t back to Cologne, which 1 had nut visited since I'jO'j. Not that it is by any means tho uiosi beautitul or the most interesting of German cities; it is far from being this. Rut this time it was of special interest to mo as being occupied byBritish trooz>S. How glad 1 was, after travelling amongst strange peoples tor many months, to steam into the big railway station and sou British Tommies on guard there, ii, was almost like a bit of Home, and the reader may be sure that 1 lot! no time in getting into conversation -.villi some of the boys. For meiv boys in years some of them were, with frank, open countenances, and free friendly manners—but. aias! not line 'physiques, and it was not without misgiving that 1 eomimrod them with the bis?, stout, well-groomed German policemen that I saw. ft is quite possible that these Germans were men specially picked to impress tho British. They certainly impressed me. Both Germans and British police the city, not a very simple task where you have a big industrial population and thousands of Alien soldiers. But the British and Germans get oa remarkably well together; indeed, I was surprised to learn that our troops get on much better with the Germans than with their French confreres. With tho l-alter the privates have little to do, and obviously prefer the company of their former enemies. This will probably surprise the reader as much as it did the writer, but I believe if. is the truth. I dure not publish all I heard. There arc, of course-, (aw French soldiers in Cologne: they occupy other cities. But it. was surprising to find such a difference in sentiment and attitude on the part of the German population, The French they hnte (the Ruhr had not the'-, been occupied); the British —I will not say they love thorn, but they at all events rather like them, and are genuinely grateful for the tact and consideration exhibited by cur army —a consideration which they allege is quite absent from the areas occupied by the French. I noticed, however, that the French were not neglecting the opportunity of pushing their commerce, and at the railway station, beneath a large advertisement, read "For all informations, address yourself to the French Section Economique, Ring 1, Tramway Line 18." A COSMOPOLITAN CITY. As might, be expected, Cologm- is just now very cosmopolitan. Besides the British there are a few French and Indian troops; and Swedes aid Dutchmen and other nationalities arc here because of the lbwnesa of (.ho mark, because too, there is alw:iys money to be made in the neighbourhood of a British Army. Our troops are much belter paid than either French or German, and are a good deal less careful. So lavish is Tommy with his cash,,that it is suid that the German shopkeepers will be genuinely sorry when the occupation comes to an cud. There are some line large cafes in the High Street, some at" theiir-ftoldiug ninny Hundreds ot" people, and here refreshments may bo purchased quite cheaply, cvhjlttl • one listens to an excellent orchestra. Every afternoon and evening' one meets hundreds of our soldiers at these cafes-. Not that Tommy confines himself to the High Street. Sometimes he gets into the lower parts of tho city, and drinks arid makes himself a nuisance, but as -i rule he is sober, well-behaved, and seldom gets into trouble with tho inhabitants.

Cologne is the centre of trade and commerce, and the most Important city In the Rhine provinces. Tho population amounts to 630,000, .an.! the city has by far the largest area of any in the German Empire. The name is derived from the Latin word Colonia or Colony. It was, in fact, -i Roman colony founded by the Roman veterans in the First Century, A.D. I went to see the old Roman tower, which is still standing. During the succeeding centuries it became important ecclesiastically, and Charlemagne gave the Archbishop the right of crowning tho German Kings. Thomas Aquinas and Duns Scotus taught here. THE CATHEDRAL. But though there art also several other fine churches, the cathedral is the most interesting and beautiful thing in Cologne. The foundations of this glorious structure were laid in 1248, but it was not completed till 1881, and cost several railionn ot pounds. The spires arc surely the finest*On earth. As one stands at the foot and turns one's gaze upwards, the view of these lofty spires, soaring away towards the heavens, 530 ft. from the ground, is most impressive. The extreme length of the church is 450 ft., with a breadth of 150 ft., and the roof is supported by rows of lofty stone pillars, very massive, yet giving an impression of lightness. There are, of course, a number of beautiful chapels and altars, and amongst the cathedral's chief treasures is the Shrine of the Magi. a fine example of the goldsmith's art, richly ornamented with figures dating from the 12th. Century, and supposed to contain the remains of the Magi. The stained glass in the windows is a very mixed lot: some old and good, but some positively ugly. In speaking of Cologne, one should not forget to mention the really magnificent modern Hohonzollern Bridge, which spans the Rhine, and which wa.s opened with great pomp by the exEmperor in 1911; also the beautiful old Town Hall with its handsome, massive, highly decorated towers: and the modern Opera House. The museum is poor. On the whole, Cologne Is not a place one would care to stay In long, though life is brightened just now by The presence of Ihe British Army.