The Semi-weekly leader., 1906-04-11

ana neduS IN cOmmotion. The civil
lans. who Were in a wild state of ex-
citement cheered the troops, 'FVive les
Cu1rassiers! while the dragons in
return SHOUTED "A Berlin" and '9vive
At a corner I met Captain Mau-
bourg, struggling through the crowd.
he greeted me seriously. II am on
nay, nay way to the War ONCE, he, said.
I am called for conference Come
with me. You Americans are always
ingenious. You may be of assistance.' .
1T was q memorable meeting--one
ators, uniformed Generals, and the
President, with his Ministers, discussed
the. many questions before them until
I'M ae ah'erSGm captain ManSoSyrF Mny aa
nounced me as Monsieur Adams, of
the United States, a graduate of West
the world" and intimated that / might
have suggestions of value. I had
spent my time, while waiting, in the
and Germany. I had understood that
the German forces were approaching
from points south Of the Vosges Noun
tains. with. view. perhaps, to cutting
OF a portion of eastern France and
ultimately making it German territory.
French troops were being hurried to
the frontier, assembling at Luneville,
at Chaumont. and at Belfort. 1t ap-
peared necessary to check the invasion
at once.
eff / mistake not" said, 'the Ger
man approach of 1870 was similar
to cut Paris Off from the south, the
that they would a second time adopt
this plan? What evidence have you
that the main attack is to the south
east of PARISH"
agents" replied the President. 1--WE
are advised that the whole force of
the German attack is in that direc-
But would It not be wen to see what
is going on to the north? What would
happen if, for instance, the Germans
and, cut off Communication between
Paris and the Channel? Is that move
out of the question:,
There no HsrG reply at first They
began General Brugere. famous as a
President. it is not Impossible: We
to the Belgian frontier"
Let me suggest, then. with your
permission that; that this LEAD lead be followed OIL u,
and hurry the greatest possible num-
ber of veterans to the northeast IRON
tier: war ballon might be sent Inn
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. 1 had only passed
through West Point Because of a
partial color-blindness 1 had never
been admitted to the service; yet I
had studied war for several years, and
had learned that it is never safe to
trust to mere reports of agents.
For an hour more ti.s plan was as
cussed, and finally adopted. And thus.
almost unwittingly, / became involved
in series of the most stirring incl
dents-the war balloon reconnaissance,
my marvellous escape, the terrific
fighting at Monte Pelier, the spectacle
Of the greatest naval battle in history,
and personal encounters in. defense of
the sweetest woman in the world
all these will live in memory to the
When the French Government de-
cides that it wants anything belonging
to it's citizens, there is no red tape
to be unwound. From the moment
that the plan was adopted, orders flew
thick and fast. by telegraph. by tele-
phone, by word of mouth. Within ten
hours upwards of five thousand auto
mobiles were assembled on the out.
skirts of Paris. The response OF
citizens and of automobile companies