Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1920 — BELGRADE LIKE TOMB; PEOPLE ARE GLOOMY [ARTICLE]

BELGRADE LIKE TOMB; PEOPLE ARE GLOOMY

Serbian Capital, Shell-Shattered, Remains as the Enemy Left It . -S- . ■ ~ ' *4 . ■ — I Belgrade remains today as the Germans and Austrians left it —shell-shat-tered, bomb-torn and desolate. Owing to lack of materials, moneys and labor, no steps have'been taken by the authorities to restore the scores of residences, public buildings and other property that fell under the enemy bombardment. Nothing has been done to repair even the royal palace, which, wSHowless, scarred and neglected, looks like a great empty barracks.

The Serbian capital has a gloomy, depressing air, and this atmosphere Is shared to sogae extent by the people, who gd about with somber faces. Belgrade never amuses itself. There are few cases, restaurants, theaters,, cinemas or places of diversion or entertainment in Belgrade. At night thq city has all the stillness and repose of a tomb. It may be. quite naturally, that the country is still mourning its losses, for it has been continuously st war for seven years. The retail stores display only scanty stocks. Some of them are closed entirely. Cheap articles of jewelry and tinsel find their way from Austria and Germany, while perfumes, scented soaps and silk stockings come from Paris. Wearing apparel of all kinds is high in price. 'Hie Serbian franc has fallen to low purchasing value. As in most war-affected countries, there is a tremendous amount of reconstruction work to be done In Serbia. Broken bridges, shattered railways, ruined factories and destroyed machinery will have to be replaced. Serbians say the material and, to some extent, the money and labor, will have to come from the outside, for Serbia, strained and, straitened by seven years of war, is almost destitute es the means to accomplish this task herself. She is looking hopefully to the United States to help her In this direction. There is a constant plea for American engineers, businessmen and materials.