Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-07-19
SEEING
WAR
A Man Encounters Enough
of Ii Without Smell.
ing Powder
BY HARRY VAN AMBERc

globe trottcr Within me famed up
desire TO see war. actual war. men
standing up to kill each other profess
sionally--not that any one man had Il
grudge against any other one man in
the enemy's ranks. but because he was
a soldier. whose business IL was 10 kill
and be killed As TO the war In ques
ton, II was undertaken by Il man who
had usurped the government OF the
French people. They were preparing
TO get rid OF him. aud he proposed To
direct their attention elsewhere on
much the same principle that one
would put an end 10 family disagree
ment by setting lire 10 the house.
At that time. young as | was, | took
no thought rs to the cause of the war
was interested only in seeing the
fight. | was in ST. Petersburg at the
time. and SO eager was that took the
train for Berlin III order not 10 lose any
part of ii. Fearing that IL asked per
mission to 20 TO the front II would be
denied me. | went without permission.
All had In the way of vouchers was
my passport. certifying that ! was an
American citizen.
When | reached the border line he.
tween France and Germany the Prus
slams had advanced beyond IL. hur-
ried on in their wake, fearing the war
would be over before could have an
opportunity TO see any of 1t. When
reached the columns | was chasing !
found that they had halted In their
march and gone into camp. | was sur
prised 20 learn that they didn't know
whether they We're TO remain there one
hour or n century on reaching their
outposts requested TO be taken 10
their commanding officer, and they
obliged me. | was conducted TO the
tent of Colonel Lauterjung. who look
ed at me very sternly.
handed him my passport and told
him In the German language. which
spoke indifferently. that | was an
American citizen and had come TO his
camp In order to see the war. He
glanced at the passport and asked me
II ! had received permit from the
war office at Berlin to come within
his lines. When admitted that
had not he turned 10 an officer stand.
ing near and ordered him TO expel me
from the lines In the direction from
which ! had come and see that
didn't get back again.
Seeing that protest would be use.
less, | followed the officer out of the
tent, but we had not gone far before
we were halted bye the colonels or.
derby and recalled The colonel told
me that he had reconsidered his ac-
ton and had decided to send me TO
the headquarters OF the corps darmee.
where | would have an opportunity
to state my case.
The officer who conducted me on
arrival at the generals tent sent In n
communication from Colonel Iauter-
jung. and presently | was admitted 10
the tent General Krtzmacher looked
AT me with more interest than had
reason to expect from him He asked
me a number OF questions where
had lately been from what direction
/ had approached the army. my object
In coming. told him that had
come straight from ST Petersburg
through Berlin and desired TO see the
war. especially a battle. asked him
II he would move forward soon. for IL
not ! thought | would 20 on. fearing
the war would be- over and | not hav-
ing seen II. His brows contracted at
this Then he explained that even
corps commanders did not ask such
questions Of the general In chief He
said also that he would be pleased 10
have me attach myself to his com
mand. but II would be impossible for
me 20 go from one part OF the German
army TO another He said this IN so
Arm tone that saw nj once that
where ! was | would remain TIL II
suited his purpose 10 let me 90 else
where. lie sent for one OF his aids.
Major Guenther. and told him In my
presence 20 show me such attention as
would be permitted by the rules OF
the service Then he dismissed MS
both.
Major Guenther, ! judged was the
member OF the staff one OF whose du.
ties was 10 take care of persons not
belonging 10 the military service with
whom the army came IN contact. He
provided me with tent and food. and
! could see plainly that he was keep.
ing an eye on me The headquarters
were surrounded with a guard OF hon
or. and on attempting TO pass beyond
II ! was stopped by a sentinel
asked the major II he would pass me
out SO that | could visit the camps.
and he said that citizens were not per.
mlttcd to roam mt large hut he would
be happy 10 ride about with me him.
self aud show me all there was to be-
seen
After luncheon. which we took 10.
gether. | was provided with horse.
and Major Guenther kept his promise
Indeed. there was no part Of General
Kritzmacher's army that did not see