Source: File: General Joseph
Simon Gallieni, military governor of Paris.jpg, The Original can be seen at: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gallieni
[Accessed: 17 July 2015].
The honoured role
of Governor
Of Paris, held in
historic esteem,
Is given the
command of Paris
Garrisons - with
emergency of war
General Gallieni was
handed office.
As Commander and
Governor
Of the capital,
Joseph Gallieni
Vowed the
national defense,
In September '14 as a mandate
For him to carry out
to the end.
Amid the various
regulations
Introduced from
war's start,
Included Parisian
restrictions
Of alcohol
consumption, aimed
At all soldiers
regardless of rank.
With the capital
of France set
As a central hub,
for passages
Of troops,
enforced controls
Had applied to
cafes or bars
For no sale of
dink before 5 p.m.
Despite this, in
the earliest days,
Generals and
Colonels could
Be seen seated on
terraces,
Before the
allotted hour, with
Hopes of being
served drinks.
With July of 1915
even more
Stringent rules
were in force,
By decree of
General Gallieni -
Forbidding all
alcoholic sales
To soldiers, in any
hour of day.
This would be
case for a whole
Stay of a soldier's
encampment
About Paris -
General Gallieni
Believed physical
and moral
Intensity should
be at highest.
Movement against
alcoholism,
That destroyed
such virtues,
Should be
relentless therefore
He forbid all
sales in shops,
Bars and cafes of
many drinks.
The list given were
liqueurs,
Bitters, absinthe,
aperitifs,
Vermouths and also
alcoholic
Drinks not
specified in list
Yet a journalist
challenged this.
Surely wine and
beer not
Be included in
ban? In hint
Of absurdity being
soldiers
On the frontlines
had wine
Rations recently
increased.
by
Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915.
Teetotal Garrison - Stringent Order in Paris. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 July. P.9. Col.6.
Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11732107/Daily-Telegraph-July-17-1915.html
[Accessed: 17 July 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 17 July
2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1France
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