Miniature French Flag Carried by the Author Through France. The Waving of This Flag by an American Aroused Much Enthusiasm Lloyd George, Who Says "England is Fighting a Battle for Civilization" Miss Winifred Holt, "Keeper of the Light House of France" Ancient Bridge at Limoges—Built by the Romans Two Thousand Years Ago and Still in Use Tapestry Workers at Aubusson Lafayette's Deathbed, With Commission's Flag and Flowers Monastery of St. Michael, at le Puy Silk Tapestry Menu Used at Dinner to the Commission at St. Etienne Col. Rimailho With 155-mm. Gun (upper) and Famous 75-mm. Gun (lower) Perfected by Him Women Employed in Munitions Factories Arlesiennes—Types of Southern France Old Roman Arena at Aries—Still Used for Bull Fights and Other Amusements Shore of the Mediterranean Near Marseilles. In the distance Chateau D'If, Made Famous by Dumas Types From the French Provinces Monastery of Chartreuse New 520-mm. Gun, Carrying Projectile Seven Feet in Length and Weighing 3,100 lbs., Seen at Creusot Works German Prisoners Passing Through the Village of St. Etienne The Lion of Belfort Battlefield of La Chipotte, Showing Monument and Markers on Graves Ruins of Gerbeviller Sister Julie Cathedral at Nancy German Trenches Captured by the French The Reims Cathedral Before its Destruction Ruins at Reims. Upper and Lower Plates—The Cathedral. Middle Plate—The Archbishop's Palace Key of Archbishop's Palace at Reims and Bone From Twelfth Century Tombs Opened by German Shells Trenches Visited by the Commission King Albert's Address to the Belgians Photograph of King Albert of Belgium, with the Royal Autograph French Marines Operating 75-mm. Gun on Shipboard Nancy—Place Stanislas Ruins of Village—St. Die The Prefecture at Reims After Bombardment Portrait in Tapestry—General Joffre Ruins at Nancy Trenches Occupied by French Soldiers Proclamation Posted in Reims Just Before the French Fell Back to the Marne Arrival of Wounded Soldiers at Chalons, on the Marne Proclamation by the Mayor of Reims, Issued on the day the Germans Entered that City, September 4, 1914 First Order From the Invaders Second German Proclamation Citizens Warned of Danger Citizens Warned that Hostages May be Hanged Postal-card Painted by Artist Soldier in French Trenches

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FOREWORD

Of all that has been written, or is to be written, by Americans concerning the tragedy overwhelming the Old World, much must naturally be descriptive of conditions in France, since that country is, among those affected by military occupation, most accessible and most closely in sympathy with American ideals and American history.

While the ground covered by these pages may be, therefore, not unfamiliar, the motives prompting their preparation are probably unique. It has been undertaken at the request of friends, but not entirely for their pleasure; since the author hopes that those who read it may see in the patriotic devotion and courage of the French people something of the spirit that should animate our country, whose aspirations toward liberty the French aided even before they were themselves free.

Written in hours snatched for the task amid the press of other duties, these pages endeavor to present a simple, intimate and personal story of experiences enjoyed and impressions gained under most unusual circumstances and herein shared with my friends as one of the most interesting incidents of a long and busy life.

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A Journey Through France in War Time

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN OF THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP

N the Autumn and Winter of 1915, a body of distinguished and representative Frenchmen visited the United States, their object being to make an investigation of conditions here, having in mind the great need of France in war munitions, the steel in ingot and bar form very much needed for the manufacture of war materials, and the numerous other commodities necessary for prosecution of the war, which had been in progress more than a year.

The finances of France were also very much in evidence in the minds of the visitors.

The names and occupation of this French Trade Commission appear following:

• Chairman—Monsieur Maurice Damour,
  • Secretary of the French Deputies' Commission on Appropriations.

  Monsieur Jacquez Lesueur,

  • Delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture.

  Monsieur L. Trincano,

  • Director of the Horological School of Besancon.

  Monsieur Jacquez de Neuflize,

  • Banker.

  Monsieur M. Chouffour,

  • of the Credit Francais.

  Monsieur L. Vibien,

  • Director of the National Bank of Credit.

  Monsieur E. Delassale-Thiriez,

  • Secretary of the Syndicate of Spinners.

  Monsieur M. Saladin,

  • Delegate of the Creusot Factory.

  Monsieur Joseph Guinet,

  • Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce of Lyons.

This Commission visited various parts of the United States, principally the great iron and steel centers, Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Chicago.

Much attention was shown the party in their journey through our land.

An introductory luncheon to this French Commission was given by The American Manufacturers Export Association at the Hotel Biltmore, New York, Tuesday, November 23rd, 1915. This luncheon was attended by a representative number of American manufacturers and bankers, and the object of the visitors fully discussed. On this occasion it was suggested by Mr. E. V. Douglass, the efficient secretary of the Export Association, that a return visit of Americans would be in order and would assist in accomplishing the object of the visitors. This suggestion was followed up early in 1916 and took form later on in the appointment and selection of the members of "The Commission Industrielle Americaine en France", the expedition being organized and financed under the direction of The American Manufacturers' Export Association, located at 160 Broadway, New York City.

This association has an active membership of over five hundred manufacturers, firms and corporations engaged in the production of all kinds of fabricated materials, from steel to women's lingerie.

The president of the association, Mr. E. M. Herr, of Pittsburgh, closely associated with the Westinghouse interests, was the moving spirit in creating and selecting the organization and formulating the plans and policy of the Industrial Commission, even to the extent of selecting the chairman.

The