GREAT CIRCUS GIVEN ON RHINE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 29 August 1919, Page 4

GREAT CIRCUS GIVEN ON RHINE.

American soldiers who captured Cantigny and scored various victories against, the Germans, are performing in a threo-ring circus for the entertainment of the soldiers along the Rhine. Hundreds of German civilians were permitted to witness the performance by the payment of au admission fee of 25 cents.

The opening performances were witnessed by at least 10,000 persons, including Major-General Henry T. Allen, commander of the American Forae* along the Rhine, and scores of French and British officers. There were side shows and refreshment stands and all other accessories of a regular circus. The proceeds will go to the division entertainment fund.

A parade was held daily at Montabaur, Army trucks have been camouflaged to represent circus waggons, and ruble over the cobblestones of the town along with elephants, bears, camels, and ponies from the Hagenbcck circus. There are a number of trained animals.

AU the human performers are soldiers, including bure-baek riders and acrobats. There arc Wild West features with Indians, a stage coach and all the fittings. The Germans appear to enjoy the circus as much as the soldiers.

Rehearsals for the circus began several months ago. Three hundred soldiers of the Ist Division took over a village near Montabaur and spent all their time in training and preparing equipment for the show. Many of the costumes worn by the clowns and other performers were made by German girls in spite of the auti-fratcruisalion regulations. <"•*.