New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-30
FRENCH ARMY 'BESTEYER'
Col. GrebIe Returns, Enthusi-
aStiC Over Recent ManGuvres.
INFANTRY MAGNIFICENT
Aeroplane in Warfare Makes
Profound Impression on
U. s. Artilleryman.

Although ten or twelve days had passed
since he followed The French army over
valley and stream and watched the troop
ors from hilltop and river hank, Colonel
Edwin ST. y. Greble, of the United States
Field Artillery had not lost his enthusi-
asm over the French uanPuvrcs IN his
arrival yesterday from Havre on the
steamship Ia Lorraine.
The colonel who is on the General stan
Of the United States army. was sent 10
France early In August to attend the
mannuvrcs Of the French army He eX-
pccted that the French soldiers would
make a splendid showing but their work
he declared yesterday surpassed exrecta-
ton. He described the French army as
the best ever and the infantry division
as magnificent
The efficiency Of the aeroniane az an
agent cf warfare and the practical part it
played In the French movements made q
profound impression upon the Anne lean
spectator.
1T was perhaps the most interesting
spectacle have ever watched" said Colo
mel Grebie 4 saw the movements OF the
various bodies Of men from All angles
lIt was particularly interesting 20 observe
tho mimic warfare from the crest OF q
hill. for there one could look down upon
the mon and Il the same time get q better
Inc upon the approach and the mau~u-
vres Of the aeroplancs.
1T was particularly interesting 20 sec
the men fording the waters Of the Loire
and La Grouse. and at the same time see
In these waters the reflection NJ the ma
chimes Of the air.
at times the air would he clear ana
the sky perfect dome Of blue. sud
denly what seemed 10 I've tho long
shadow Of r cloud would sweep rapidly
across the field. but on lootiug up one
would see a formidable fleet OF aeroplane5
viii zing through the air.
with splendid precision these Gle
mcnts Of reconnaissance would swoop
down close % the troops below and dart
skyward again with the information they
had come "a procure They were quick
10 come and quick 10 get away.
The accuracy with which these aero
planes worked. Individually and collec-
lively. was astounding. They few at
various attitudes. each machine bearing
q pilot and an observer
An interesting feature 81 the air
e0ulpmen, Is the Red Cross aeroplane
corps These machines doubt VIII
ever be Of any great practical value ns a
Rcd Cro.s vehi 10 IN war time. II il.
their custom 10 carry large white flag
bearing red cross and. dying fairly
low. II IL .he duty of the occupants TO
observe the positions al tho wounded
and n possible take them 10 the rear for
surgical or medical attention
Failing this. the ayutors are expected
% speed 20 the rear and report the posi-
lions Of the wounded to the ambulance
corps Tho Rcroplane IS dispensing with
the Use o. the o'1t'mc rying cavalry
whose particular function was To hang
hard upon the skirts Of tho enemy. The
aercplano can DO this better and more
easily think the French military re-
serve system tho best IN the world "
Also on Ia Lorraine was Charles Hon
bauer the artist who has been engaged TO
paint tho mural decorations 81 the Com
fcdcrata Memorial Institution which
Thomas + Ryan gave 90 Richmond. Va.
Another passenger was Colonel Jules
Perrot. Of the French cavalry. who is an
Instructor ~ French NJ West Point,