What War Has Wrought

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

What War Has Wrought

No one who lives outside of the great war zone of Europe, and probably but comparatively few within this stricken area, can realize the terrible damage which has been wrought by the great conflict in the desolation which has been visited upon some of the garden spots of Europe. A dispatch from Paris, published in the Washington Star of July 4, 1916, gives this picture of the havoc which has been wrought in northern France:—

“Seven hundred and fifty-three communes, or townships, have been partly or totally destroyed through military operations in France since the beginning of the war, according to statistics gathered by the ministry of the interior, with a view to ascertaining the total damage caused by the hostilities. These communes are distributed over eleven of the departments of France, including those in Ardennes still occupied wholly by the Germans, who are in possession of 2,554 towns, of the total of 36,247 in all France, or 7 per cent.

“Houses to the number of 16,669 have been totally destroyed and 29,594 partly destroyed in these communes. In 148 communes the proportion of houses destroyed exceeds 50 per cent, while it is 80 per cent in seventy-four towns, and less than 50 per cent in the remainder.

“Public buildings destroyed in 428 communes were 331 churches, 379 schools, 221 town halls, 300 other public buildings of various sorts, and 60 bridges. Of these buildings fifty-six had been classed as historic monuments, including the town hall of Arras, and the cathedral and town hall at Rheims. Three hundred and thirty factories, which supported 57,000 persons, were destroyed.”

This picture, we doubt not, could be duplicated several times in other sections of Europe, particularly on the eastern battle front where the surging and resurging of opposing forces has left prosperous towns and smiling country places scenes of destitution and desolation. Well may every Christian of every nationality pray God to bring to a speedy conclusion this fearful combat.