DEVASTATION IN FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1917, Page 6

DEVASTATION IN FRANCE.

HORRIBLE TREATMENT OF INHABITANTS. LONDON, June _:i. After tiie Italian offensive Mr. Sydney Sims, special correspondent, spent eeveTal days with three flench army groups, lie writes: — As a result of the heroic lighting of our divisions on French soil they have found everywhere a cordial reception. Australia's name is high throughout France, and a clear differentiation has grown up between Australians and British. Amongst other distinguished generals who gave mc hospitality at their headquarters, (leneral Costelnau asked mc to assure Australia of the comradeship of the French Army, and with enthusiasm spoke of the Australian soldier as great in both attack and defence. "They are," he said, "les soldate eomplets." 1 visited the lines before St. traversing twenty kilometres (about 12J miles) of the reeon,|iiere,l territory. I went to tiie forts of Douautnoiit and Soitville on the devastated hills of Verdun, and stood in Herman territory in lines at Hartmannsvveilerkopf and Southern Alsace. Everywhere I found confidence and 'strength and youth in readiness for any sacrifice — for glorious France. The doctrine of Herman invincibility has no follower in the French army. Tn each sector I visited I saw the French battalions undertaking aggressive trench warfare in complete assurance as to who was master. Contempt of the Bodies in general, and especially amongst the armies in the devastated areas, has a deep note of bitterness. The I'oilus are war-bitten, grim and homesick, but none speak of peace without victory. TIIK GRIM FRENCH SOLDIER. The only sign of the army's hard struggles is that it is slightly older and grimmer than the Ilritish and Italians. It is still a game one. An extraordinary spectacle of war is to be found in the devastated area around Noyon. Rich orchard and farming lands have been laid bare, and every tree has been systematically felled. Sugar factories have been blown up and houses destroyed. In villages built in large sectors nothing stands. Imagine teb Coulbtlrn Valley, with its townships, orchards, and settlements destroyed, and then you have the picture of this area. Hermans had made life hideous for the inhabitants: I_.ooo rescued near Noyon were skin and bone and dulled in intelligence. I inspected several Herman encampments equipped with loot from the neighbouring villages. One was elaborately built in a forest dug deep in the ground with many signs of industry and comfort. There were signs also of moral degeneration. ORGANISED GERMAN VICE. The French stall showed here Indubitable proof of the Herman official organisation of Holdiera' brothels in whirl, local girls were compelled to live. It is no wonder that fierce hatred exists through the army. The commander of the Verdun fortress pointed with pleasure to the manystacks of Australian flour being used for the garrison. The .Alsace lighting presents a strong likeness to Italy's mountain warfare. Long lines of mule transports sustain the armies planted deeply in the Herman territory. Life in the rocky mountainous trenches is hard, but gladly unci rgonc in spite of the high price in endurance, for it is a p"ctor of lovely, placid Alsace, in which the spirit of elation is apparent throughout the army and inhabitants. Summing up the visit, T would say that the French Army, like that of Germany, is past its maximum strength, and requires more assistance. Its economical use of men behind the lines and the appearance of middle-aged men in the trenches are indications of the clever organisation by which its strategical reserves are maintained. The army's affection and trust in General Retain are everywhere evident. There was general delight when be was appointed Generalissimo. Except in certain political circles I saw no sign of French discouragement. On the other hand. France is clearly conscious that she cannot live as Prussia's neighbour unless militarism is overthrown. APPRECIATION OF AMERICA. The French newspapers devote great attention to the British offensives, and vie in e.vpressing delight and appreciation of the Australian li_iitiog capacity. America's intervention has aroused an intense feeling of joy throughout .France, it has appealed to stricken France's imagination, and throughout the country and in army centres the American flag is seen intertwined with the tri-colour. At the headquarters of the southern division the general had fonnd an Australian flag, which he placed honourably between the Tricolour and Stars and Stripes.

The following appeared in our Eight o'Clock Edition on Saturday ni«-ht: — :