Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 254, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1917 — GERMANS HAVE WAR MUSEUM [ARTICLE]

GERMANS HAVE WAR MUSEUM

Valuable Works of Ancient Art Saved When French Buildings Were Destroyed by Raiders. Peronne, Bapaume, Lens, St. Quentin and other French towns in the path of the war, were noted for their many works of ancient art, and many of the most valued art treasures of France were in those cities. Wonder has been expressed as to what has become of these, ahd the question is answered in a magazine published in Germany, a stray copy of.-Which has somehow reached American bands. Most of the art objects could never be replaced, especially those in SL Quentin, where some of the most beautiful buildings were destroyed. “But" it seems that the Germans decided to save these art treasures and a long account is given in the magazine of the efforts made, even under fire, to pack and carry away a famous collection of pastels, numerous paintings of value and the wonderful painted glass of the Gothic cathedral. The question of housing these treasures was solved by taking them to Maubeuge and (here tearing down buildings and from the material erecting a museum in which the articles were put on display. There is a description of many of the historic productions and a general sense of satisfaction expressed that German culture had added them to the esthetic life of Germany, where, it was planned, they would eventually be taken. The complacent announcement is made that the museum is opened both to the military and the French public, “but it is principally designed for the recreation of the army, so that after hard days of toil they might find here an opportunity to refresh themselves. It is a museum that has been saved from the smoke and the ruins of the catastrophe. War and culture, which try to avoid each other, meet here,” it is said, “and they have been brought together by the artistic instincts of German barbarians.” This reference to barbarians is, of course, “writ sarcastic,” but it is to be noticed that the innumerable charges and proofs of barbarity are not met. Art products may be destroyed, but the proofs of Barbaric deeds will stand. —lndianapolis Star.