Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-10-15
BY RAYMOND c. SWING.


Army in Five miles ahead
ara the trenches, 200 yards apart,
where the British and German troops
are taking their heroic parts in this
bloodiest and hardest fought battle of
modern times. Occasional explosions
from big guns can be plainly heard.
/ have Just returned from an auto.
mobile ride which brought me near
enough to the string line to see shells
exploding on the horizon. First there
would be great fash lighting up the
evening sky, followed by a thnnderous
discharge. was not allowed to drive
nearer.
British Behind Rock Defensas
The positions on both sides are ex.
cellant. The British troops ut this
poins are mainly behind rock defenses,
but the Germans have worked their
way so close up that accurate fire on
both sides means death to the soldier
who carelessly protrudes his head
One OF the diversions of the Germans
Is to put cap on rife, hoist It above
the trenches and draw the Immediate
and unerring FIRE Of the opponents.
Tie soldiers in the trenches for
days and nights have had terrible
experience, Recently they were lying
in water under the exploding shrapnel
and receiving food only at night. when
black bread, wine an3 sometimes soup
were passed TO them under cover OF
the darkness. On the German side for
many days the wounded lay In the
trenches until night before they could
be removed.
Now the weather has improved and
conditions are better. About three
miles behind the trenches artillery II
stationed. dropping shells and shrap-
mel upon the trenches and the gun pc.
sitions of the opponents.
Flashlights Reveal Foe.
My impression is that such fighting
can continue unremittingly and that
here at least the Germans win per
haps only attempt TO hold the lines
while some other portion Of the Ger
man army breaks through, either on
the far right wing or at Nerdun. The
British troops made several attempts
at night charges two nights ago. They
left their trenches and advanced on
| the German positions, but the move
ment was suddenly revealed by a
German fiashlight, machine guns we're
| quickly brought into position and m
entire regiment OF Englishmen WIS
moved down by the deadly fire.
For two days have been guest nf
the general commanding this corps,
who has his quarters in beautiful
French chateau IL IL ideally situated
in large grounds, richly provided with
game, which the staff officers have
hunted these last few days during d
slight pause in the fighting at the
front. Before the castle are artificial
lakes. the grounds giving the impress
sion OF a small Versailles,
| interested In u. 8. Attitude.
was welcomed warmly by the off
GERS, all of whom were interested in
learning the attitude Of the United
States. The impression prevailed
among them that the American gov
| eminent had assumed a protectoratf
| over German interests I'm China.
We dined together In the great ga
Ion. the walls OF which were huns
| profusely with valuable oil paintings
| The menu was none too diverse, but
| 1t was plentiful, with wines IN album
dance. i aat beside the city comman
dant, who told me of the situation In
the city.
The castle itself Is filled with eostIy
treasures. There Is an especially
beautiful coin collection and there are
also old engrayings of priceless value
The chateau was crowded with on
GERS. ] had lodgings In the library
sleeping spn a mattress on the floor be
fore cheerful fireplace In o room the
antique furniture OF which would make
| any connoissenr enyious
In the front hall OF the chateau Ia
a telephone switchboard. where two
soldiers sit with receivers at their
ears, making notes of reports from
the firing line.
Outside Is q scene OF ceasaiess &C,
tivity. Every moment automobiles
drive up the wide roadways, officers
dismcunt, answer the aaiutes OF the
orderlies, go inside. emerge again,
hastily take their places in the auto
mobiles and drive away quickly.
HoTsenen In small detachments
come and go and soldiers on bicycles
or on foot are in constant circulation
from early in the morning till late at
night. One never forgets that this is
one of the brain centers OF the battle
going on FIVE miles ahead.
Tobacco Delights Fighters.
There was especial delight over the
arrival short time ago of q dozen
automobiles heavily laden with gifts
for the soldiers. such az tobacco,
newspapers, warm clothing. chocolate
and little Injuries OF ali sorts. What
delighted the soldiers most was the
arrival OF the tobacco, for the supply
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