The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-09-25
DRIVEN TO ATROCITIES, GERMAN
COMMANDER TELLS CORRESPONDENT

morning edition Of De1tsche Krriger
Zeitung was being printed and distrib-
uted to the pas ng men. II contained
nothing bot accounts OF German vic
tories. OF which never had heard. but
il seemed greatly to cheer the men
Field kitchens with smoke pouring
from their stnTepips tunnels rumbied
down the lines, serving steaming soup
and coffee to the marching men, who
held out tin cups and had them filled
without once breaking step.
Covered Wagons Hide Machine Guns
There were wagons filled with army
cobblers, sitting cross-legged on the
door. who were mending soldierss
shoes just as II they were back in
their little shops In the fatherland-
Other wagons. to all appearances ordi
nary Two wheeled farm carts. hid un-
der their arched canvas covers nine
machine guns which could instantly
be brought into action.
The medical corps was as magnif1-
cent as businesslike. II was as per-
fectly equipped and as efficient as q
great city hospital.
Men on bicycles with a coil of in
sulated wire slung between them
strung q field telephone from tree to
tree 30 the general commanding could
converse with any part Of the SO miles
long column.
The whole army never sleeps.
When half Is resting the other half
II advancing. The soldiers are treat
ed as II they were valuable machines
which must be speeded up to the high
est possible efficiency. Therefore. they
are well fed, we'll shod, well clothed.
and worked as a negro teamster works
mules.
Only men who are well cared for
can march IS miles day week in and
week out. Only once did see man
mistreAted. A sentry ON duty In front
OF the general headquarters failed to
salute an officer with sufficient prompt
ness. whereupon the officer dashed him
again and again across the face with
riding whip. Though welts rose
with every blow. the soldier stood
rigidly at attention and never quiy.
cred.
Finally Reaches Won Boehn.
It was considerably past midday and
we were within a few miles of the
French frontier when we saw guidon
which signifies the presence Of the
head Of the army, planted at the en-
trance of a splendid old chateau. Al
we passed through the iron gates and
whirled up the stately tree-lined drive
and drew up in front of the terrace 9
dozen officers In staff uniform came
running out to meet us. For few
minutes II felt as If we were beins
welcomed at country house in Ameri
ca instead of at the headquarters o.
the German army in the field. 81
perfect was the field telephone service
that the staff had been able to keep ii
touch with our progress along tbs
lines and were waiting dinner for US
After dinner we grouped ourselves
on the terrace in the self-conscioui
attitude people always assume wheI
having their pictures taken, ant
Thompson made some photographs
| They probably are the only ones o
1 this war, at least of German genera
and an American war correspondent
who was not under arrest.
Then we gathered about the table
/ on which was spread a staff map o
the war area. and got down to serious
| business. The general began by as
sorting that the stories of atrocities
perpetrated on Belgian noncombatant
| were a tissue of lies.
!, Look at these officers about you,
he said. "They are gentlemen Xix,
| yourself. Look at the soldiers march
ing past in the road out there. Mos
OF. them are fathers of families Sure
~ you don't believe they would do tn
things they have been accused Of"
Explains Aerschot Crimes.
Three days ago, general" / said
II was in Aerschot The whole tow
now is but CHASTITY. blackened, blood
stained ruin"
When we entered Aerschot the sol
or the DufBomaSIeT came INTO IN
room, drew revolver. and assassinat
ed my chief Of staff" the general said
What followed was only retributior
The townspeople only got what the
deserved
But why wreak your vengeance O
women and children3"
None has been killed, the genera
asserted positively.
I am sorry to contradict you. ger
erai.s asserted with equal positiv,
ness, hut / have myself seen thei
mutiIated bodies. So has Mr.. Ginso1
secretary OF the American legatio
at Brussels. who was present durin
the destruction OF Louvain.-
.Of course, there always is DANCE
OF women and children being kflle
during street fighting" said Gener:
), Won Boehn, il they insist on comm
. into the street. 1t is unfortunate. b.
. it is war"
Data startIes General.