Paris in Better Shape Than London

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 205, 30 August 1944, Page 5

Paris in Better Shape Than London

(Special Correspondent.) . LONDON, Aug. 28. Conditions in Paris after four years of German rule, as described by correspondents, indicate that the people are chiefly short of food. The Daily Express’s correspondent, Mr. Alan Moorehead, says: “The telephone system and the water supply are still working, but there is no gas, there is no underground railway, and there are no buses. Food has become desperately scarce, especially during the past fortnight. Paris is by far the most hungry city I have seen. The people are not starving, but they have that taut, pinched look, and their faces are pallid. With no milk, there has been much tuberculosis there is said to be typhoid as well. The things they crave are cigarettes, sugar, coffee, meat and vegetables—almost anything you can give them. “They have on their best bright summer clothes and somehow contrive to look smart. There seems to be no shortage of cosmetics. Most of the women are hatless, and they do not wear silk stockings. Many of the young men simply wear shorts and a shirt. The shops are full of the usual bright Paris things, but clothes—anything essential—are strictly rationed. The prices are phenomenal. The ‘black market’ practically governs trade. Before they left, the Germans published

a story that the franc would be valueless when we arrived and so there is a bit of muddle over money wherever you go, for a moment. Most of the restaurants are shut because of the lack of food. The cinemas have no electricity to operate their projectors. BETTER SHAPE THAN LONDON 4 4 This must have been a grim place through these four years, and for the past 12 hours it has been utterly gay. Weeks or months will pass before Paris is back to normal, but it is in far better shape than London.” The Manchester Guardian’s correspondent says that, despite the fighting and casualties of the past week, in its fabric Paris has suffered less than London or other badly-damaged cities of Britain, but it is a very hungry city and it has been for four years, with the middle-aged groups just pulling through and malnutrition of the very young and the very old something far worse than we have ever experienced in Britain. However, this situation is not due to lack of food in France but to lack of transport and the rapacious demands of the Germans.