Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-04-13
FROM N0TESAND OBSERVATIONS
Compiled by WmRMackrill.

and heads in commotion. The civil
lans. who We're in wild state of ex-
Cuirassiers" while the dragons in
return shouted "A Berlin!" and 'Vive
| la France."
At a corner I met Captain Maui
| He greeted me seriously. Il am on
my way. to the War Office" he said.
My regiment is being. modified. and
ingenious. You may be Of assistance.'
IT was a memorable meetingaeone
a that shall meyer forget Crave Sen.
President. with his Ministers, discussed
the many questions before them until
well nigh sh morning morning For time I watt
summoned. Captain MauboEre an an
nounced me as Monsieur Adams, Of
the United States, a graduate of West
iha r the ), greatest military school Of
have suggestions Of value ! had
spent my time. while waiting. in the
study OF a large war map of France
the German forces were approaching
from points south of the Yosges Noun
tains. with view, perhaps. to cutting
of portion of eastern France and
Ultimately 1dna making It German territory
the frontier, assembling at Luneville.
at Chaumont. and at Belfort. 1t ap-
peared necessary to check the invasion
IF ! mistake not" I said. "the Ger
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
agents." replied the President. I'VE
are advised that the whole force of
the the German attack is in that direc-
They may be right I rejoined.
But would It not be well to see what
is going on to the north? What would
happen If, for instance. the Germans
and cut OF COMMUNICATION between
Paris and the Channel! Is that move
out Of the question?
were thinking hard. lit is not likely"
strategist. ;, But. by Heaven. M. le
1t Il not impossible We
to the Belgian frontier"
let me suggest, then. with your
at once" replied Can you not inn
press all the automobiles in Paris,
and hurry the greatest possible num-
her Of veterans to the northeast Tr ;na
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 q
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 of agents.
For an hour more the plan was ais
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 terrific
ighting at Monte Pelier, the spectacle
Of the greatest naval battle in history,
and personal encounters in defense OF
the sweetest woman In the world
ali these will live in memory to the
end Of my days.
When the French Government de-
cides that 1t wants anything belonging
to its citizens. there IL no red tape
that the plan was adopted. orders new
thick and fast, by telegraph. BY. tele-
phone, By word Of mouth. Within ten
hours upwards Of Ave thousand auto.
| mobiles were assembled on the out.
| skirts Of Paris. The response OF
] citisens and OF automobile companies