BATTLEFIELD FOR SALE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2971, 8 January 1917, Page 10

BATTLEFIELD FOR SALE

In the Paris edition of the "New York Herald" for September 28, 1916, appeared the following advertisement, surely the first, as the "Herald" remarks editorially, that has ever been published in a newspaper:— "Battlefield for Sale.—A piece of land, of 10 hectares, furrowed with German and British trenches, right in the Sommo battle centre, north of the Bois do Foureaux, and southeast of Martinpuich. —G'rardel, 10 rue SainWQouis, Amiens." Without exception, this, is the most astonishing announcement which lias appeared since the beginning of the war (says a correspondent of the "Spectator"). It is one which lays hold upon tho imagination, and which offers matter for whimsical speculation, as well as for the most sober reflection. Who 'is this Monsieur Grardcl, of Amiens, who offers battlefields for sale as calmly as though traffic in this commodity were one of the most ancient and honourable of brokerage businesses Ho may bo a callous person. But we are inclined to be charitable, find therefore wo beg tlioso readers whoso sense of decency is alarmed by this seemingly brazen offer of sacred ground to bear with us if wo traco his act to quito innocent motives. We believe that only the most urgent need could have forced hifa to offer his little farm for sale. It is probable that ho has laboured hard, during tho years of health, and strength, and at last, in the lato afternoon of life, when he had earned tho privilege of rest from toil, came the war, and'with it the wreck of his hopes and fortunes. The 10 hectares of laud south-east of Martinpuich could never have boon his home. They had no associations for him. More than likely they were only an investment into which had gone tho savings of a lifetime The tide of battle swept over thorn, wrecking and devastating so completely that it will be impossible for him to restore thorn. What is ho to do? It is unthinkable that anyone is so lacking in common decency as to sell battlefiolds as such, or to buy them as such For if evor there was sucred irrouiid it is that devastated etri]> of 'territory in Belgium and Northern Franco where so many thousands of Britons, Frenchmen, and Belgians have Seed their lives. It is drenched wTth their blood, and strewn with'their Braves. ■ Monsieur Grardol is the first who offers a portion of that ground toy sale Who can say at what sacrifice it Ins been restored to Trance and to Vimi , We Sto the belief that ho is miiocent of tho significance of Ins act. W e bolievo, too, that ho -will- find no purpublished in any newspaper.