Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1920 — BAHLE-SWEPT FRANCE ASTIR [ARTICLE]

BAHLE-SWEPT FRANCE ASTIR

Hermit Efforts Being Made to Recoup Fortunes. MIKING STEADY PROCTERS Rehabilitation Is Observable In Revival of Old Industrie, the Establishment of New Ones anA the Introduction of Modem EquipmentReturn to Normal Basis of Vast Flocks and Herds of Animals Depleted by the War. Gradual transformation of the bat-tle-swept regions of northern France back to their normal conditions Is being everywhere noted by the Associated Press correspondent, who. with special facilities extended by the government, is making a tour through the devastated regions to observe their steady 'progress toward recovery. This rehabilitation is observable in the revival of old 'industries, the establishment of new ones and the introduction of modern equipment, and it is even noticeable In the return of vast flocks and herds of domestic animals, depleted by the war, back to the normal basis required for the domestic needs of this region. Small Farmers Try to Recoup. When war swept* over the ten departments along the battle front, domestic animals disappeared, most of the stock being taken as food for the armies, while the birds and fowls fled from the concussion of the great guns. Now, with the gradual return to prewar conditions, the thrifty French peasant and small farmer is making heroic efforts to recoup his fortune and to rehabilitate his land. Domestic animals are being greatly treasured for their food value, and are cared for by their owners with the same solicitude shown toward their children. Poultry and rabbits are kept in warm quarters and fed regularly, even though it is necessary now and then for the people themselves to go without a square meal. New Impetus also is given to the breeding of smaH domestic animals in order to replenish the restricted supply. Cattle Are Not Plentiful. Because of the fact that pastures were for the most part destroyed by shell fire and gas, it has been found very difficult to get forage for cows, and therefore cattie are scarce at present Ini the field of Industry the noticeable development among the French is the Inclination to modernise plants destroyed -by the ravages of the war. Naturally slow to make changes and suspicious of new things, Frenchmen are beginning to step forward. They are installing electric power, applying the latest Ideas In mechanics, reorganizing their enterprises and building a firm foundation in preparation for- the developments they believe the future will bring forth. a . *