FRANKFORT HAPPY UNDER THE TRICOLOR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14702, 1 June 1920, Page 1

FRANKFORT HAPPY UNDER THE TRICOLOR.

(Bv Leonard Spray.) To-dav Frankfort-on-Mam is as peaceful and" outwardly as resigned to her fate as, say, Cologne or any other German town which has had to submit-to foreign occupation. General de : commanding tho French troops, in giving a practical recognition of 1' raiiK-fort's-good behavior, remarks that his action in remitting the 10,000 marks fine (already reported) is "out of regard for the* quiet attitude of the population." That fine the General had imposed on the. community for the failure of the' local authorities to restore arms and bicycles which were stolen from some of his soldiers during the early disorders. General de Metz's graceful gesture in cancelling the fine has done a great deal to clear the air and establish better relations between the Frankforters and the- "invaders."- After 9 o'clock at night the citv is dead, for then everyone has to be indoors; the streets are empty except for the sparse patrols; and folk whose business compels them to keep later hours, and who are granted special permission, go about their "lawful occasions" quietly. Coming here from gloomy Berlin and the "Red Ruhr" I am impressed by the amazing prosperity of Frankfort. Except for the griniy state of the buildings—which is a feature of every place in" Europe —the city betrays not the least evidence of war suffering. Its streets Are thronged with well-dressed and well-looking citizens; its luxury shops are packed with wares in. a richness that rivals Bond street and makes Berlin's West-end emporiums seem poverty stricken by comparison. Prices are extortionate, especially the hotels, -where foreigners, in defiance of Peace Treaty provisions against invidious treatment, are mulcted in an extra ' 200 per cent. But that does not appear to trouble the natives at any rate ; so that the superficial impression of Frankfort is that of a city of war profiteers. Early closing orders have produced some curious change of habits, particularly in _ the amusement world. Dancing halls are in full swiug at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and theatrical matinee performances begin at midday. . - Incidentally the" play which is the niost popular favorite at the moment is Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion."