The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-08-18
Rv HARRY VAN AMBERG

. By HARRY VAN AMBERG
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When the Franco Prussian war broke
out l was twenty-five years OF age and
a globe trotter. Within me famed up
a desire to see war, actual war, men
standing up to kill each other profes-
sionally-not that any one man had
grudge against any other one man In
the enemy's ranks, but because he was
q soldier, whose business it was to Kill
and be killed. AS to the war In Ques-
ton, it was undertaken by man who
had usurped the government OF the
French people. They were preparing
to get rid of him, and he proposed to
direct their attention elsewhere on
much the same principle that one
would put an end to family disagree
ment by setting fire to the house.
At that time, young as I was, l took
no thought as to the cause Of the war.
I was interested only in seeing the
asht l was in st. Petersburg at the
time, and so eager was that took the
train for Berlin in order not to lose any
part of it. Fearing that If I asked per-
mission to go to the front it would be
denied me. went without permission.
All had in the way of vouchers was
my passport, certifying that l was an
American citizen.
When 1 reached the border line be-
tween France and Germany the Prus-
slams had advanced beyond it l hur-
ried on in their wake, fearing the war
would be over before 1 could have an
opportunity to see any of it. When /
reached the columns 1 was chasing l
found that they had halted in their
march and gone into camp. was sur
prised to learn that they didn't know
whether they were to remain there one
hour or century. On reaching their
outposts l requested to be taken to
their commanding officer, and they
obliged me. l 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
I 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
IL l had received a permit from the
war Office at Berlin to come within
his lines. When / admitted that !
had not he turned to an officer stand
inc near and orderef3 hir,a tfa-n1raa1 - n
from the lines In the direcu01 ffJE.
which / had come and see that l
didn't get back again.
Seeing that protest would be use
less, I followed the officer out Of the
tent, but we had not gone far before
we were halted by the coloners or
derly and recalled. The coloLel told
me that he had reconsidered his ac-
ton and had decided to send me to
the headquarters of the corps d'armee,
where I would have an opportunity
to state my case.
The officer who conducted me on
arrival at the generals tent sent in a
communication from Colonel Lauter-
jung, and presently l was admitted to
the tent. General Kritzmacher looked
at me with more interest than l 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 l told him that l had
come straight from St Petersburg
through Berlin and desired to see the
war, especially a battle l asked him
If he would move forward soon, for If
not thought l would go on, fearing
the war would be over and l not hav-
ing seen it. 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 to
have me attach myself to his COM
mand, but it would be impossible for
me to go from one part of the German
army to another. He said this in so
firm a tone that l saw at once that
where l was l would remain till IT
suited his purpose to let me go else.
where. He sent for one of his aids.
Major Guenther, and told him in my
presence to show me such attention as
would be permitted by the rules of
the service. Then he dismissed us
both.
Major Guenther, l judged. was the
member of the staff one of whose du-
ties was to take care of persons not
belonging to the military service with
whom the army came in contact. He
provided me with tent and food, and
l could see plainly that he was keep
Ing an aye on me. The headquarters
were surrounded with a guard Of hon
or and on attempting to pass beyond
it | was stopped by sentinel.
asked the major if he would pass me
out so that l could visit the camps.
and he said that citizens were not per-
mitted to roam at large, but he would
be happy to ride about with me him
self and show me all there was to be
seen.
After luncheon, which we took to-
gether, | was provided with a horse.
and Major Guenther kept his promise.
Indeed, there was no part of General
Kritzmacher's army that l did not see,
and my conductor afforded me every
Information as to the number of men
1t contained, the divisions of infantry.
artillery and cavalry the weight Of