CONDITIONS IN PARIS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 July 1917, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN PARIS.

A visitor to Wellington, who has visited Paris during the present year, described the scene as very sad. “You people here,” he said, “arc complaining because you are without gas a few hours’ daily. How would it be with you were you to suffer as the people in Paris suffer? They have been without gas for over a year, and it is many months since the Parisiennes have had electric light. Most of the people use candles or oil lamps for lights, and every evening the windows are double* blinded, so that no- ray of light may penetrate the gloom outside. That is because they must give no guide to enemy aircraft. Last winter there was no coal for gasworks or electric powerhouses, nor for the railways other than for those engaged in military service. It was a hard, long, cold winter, too. Having no coal —the French coalfields are in the hands of the Germans , —the French people reported to charcoal stove and brazier chimney to draw off the fumes, but now and again one heard of people who succumbed to the fumes as they drowsed over charcoal fires in rooms that were ill-ventilated. Few entertainments are now given in 1 Paris —perhaps a few vaudeville shows to help 1 6 entertain the soldiers home on leave from the trenches no opera, and very few comedies. All families have been affected —some killed outright. But they will fight on to the end. They have the measure of the enemy,and are far from being the poor decadent race that would be easily overrun by the highly-trained hordes of Germany. France has proved that she can meet them and beat them on level terms. It is the spirit of France that is beating the German every time he comes, and so it will bo to the glorious finish! ”