Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-04-20
from N0TESSAN OBSERVATIONS
ssssasss Compiled by WmRMackrill.

and heads In commotion. The civil
ians, who were in a wild state of ex-
element cheered the troops, "Vive les
Cuirassiers!" while the dragons in
la France"
At a corner met Captain Maui
bourg. struggling through the crowd.
He greeted me seriously. Il am on
my way, to the War Ofiice.'", he said.
MY regiment is being mobilized. and
| am called for conference. Come
with me. You Americans are always
ingenious. You may be of assistance"
1t was memorable meeting-one
that ! shall never forget. Grave SEN
President, with his Ministers, discussed
the many questions before them until
Well nigh morning. For a time wait
ed In an. ante-room. Finally I was
summoned. Captain Maubourg an,
the United States, a graduate Of West
Point, the greatest military school of
the world" and intimated that might
have suggestions of value. had
spent my time, while waiting, in the
and Germany. had understood that
the German forces were approaching
from points south Of the Vosges Noun
tains, with a view, perhaps, to cutting
off portion of eastern France and
French troops S We're I, being hurried rV 70
the frontier, assembling at Luneville,
at Chaumont, and at Belfort. 1t APP
peared necessary to check the invasion
at once.
to cut Paris off from the south, the
source of its supplies. Now is 1t likely
that they would a second time adopt
this plan? What evidence have you
that the main. attack is to the south
east of PARISH"
1--WE have the reports Of our border
are advised that the whole force of
the German attack is in that direc-
''They may be right" rejoined.
'But would It not be well to see what
Is going on to the north? What would
happen If, for instance. the Germans
struck across the south of Belgium,
and cut Off communication between
out Of the question:"
There was no reply at first, They
were thinking. hard. 1T is not likely"
began General Brugere, famous as a
President. it is not Impossible. We
However. it is several hundred miles
to the Belgian frontier"
let me suggest, then. with your
e ones re epa ths sa you 20 not @
press all the automobiles in Paris,
and hurry the greatest possible num-
Der Of veterans to the northeast IRON
tier; a war ballon might be sent Inn
mediately to reconnoitre. I should be
glad to offer my services in this con-
nection."
Very bold talk for an American in
the presence Of generals grown gray
in military service. I had only passed
through West Point Because Of a
partial color-blindness ] had never
been admitted to the service; yet !
had studied war for several years, and
| had learned that 1t is never safe to
| trust to mere reports &C agents.
| For an hour more tie plan was as
cussed, and finally adopted. And thus.
almost unwittingly, l became involved
| in a series Of the most stirring incl
| dents-the war balloon reconnaissance,
my marvellous escape. the terrihc
| fighting at Monte Pelier, the spectacle
| Of the greatest naval battle in history.
| and personal encounters in defense OF
i the sweetest woman In the World-
ali these will live in memory to the
end of my days.
i When the French Government de-
i cides that 1t wants anything belonging
to its citizens. there is no red tape
to be unwound. From the momenl
that the plan was adopted, orders flew
thick and fast, by telegraph, by tele-
phone, by word of mouth. Within tel
hours upwards Of Ave thousand auto
| mobiles were assembled on the out
skirts Of Paris. The response o.
citizens and Of automobile companies