The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-11-20
By Karl H. Won Wiesand

AT THE HEAD
QUARTERS OF THE
GERMAN CROW N x
PRINCES ARMY IN
FRANCE, via London.
Nov. 20.-Here. in the
forest of Argonne. where
the German crown prince
has his headquarters as
commander in chief Of the
kaiser's Fifth army. is
found probably the most
remarkable fighting in all
the long battle line from
the coast to Switzerland.
BY the crown princes
special permission was
allowed 70 visit and spend
a day within his lines.
Az some places the foremost Ger
man and French trenches are with
In 100 feet OF each other.
Not more than 1890 yards sep
arate the main lines. They ex-
tend through the forest. where
there has been desperate fighting.
Received BY Prince
The crown prince. smiling and
cheerful. received me at headqusr-
tsrs while breakfasting.
"yon will see something today
he remarked, that you will not
and in any other theatre OF the
war"
When I suggested that be per
mitted to visit the firing line, he
laughed.
You may go as far as you like"
ffe said. for | know you'll come to
place where II viii not be neces-
sary to hold you back"
The prince was right.
When reached the foremost
trenches saw that their German
occupants were fighting the French
not more than 100 feet away.
Germans Storm Trenches
As I reached the firing line the
Germans had just stormed one OF
the French trenches. taking 1865
prisoners.
Running through the forest are
the main German and French
trenches. well dug In" and facing
each other within 1900 yards.
Fighting il constant.
have just come from
vervinay, a little French town,
where, almost lost In sea OF
mud. German soldiers are holding
as rare souvenirs a number OF steel
darts or arrows dropped from aero
planes by French military aviatorA
They are about the length of a
lead pencil. but a trifle thicker.
The upper part OF the arrow
has a twisted groove running about
two-thirds OF it's length. which
causes the missile TO whirl as IL
falls.
THE darts have been annoying
on occasions" a captain OF the gen
eral staff told me, but not very
dangerous, because OF the difficulty
OF hitting any given object from a
great height"
Clear Through Body
a non commissioned officer re-
10 me- 0DWFNFit HON OHF VI
the men OF his company was struck
by dart.
1T entered" he said, Just back
OF his left shoulder and came out
little above his hips"
Dropped from a height Of 1000 TO
5000 feet, military men said the
darts attain a terrible velocity.
Recently" said the officer, "a
French aviator threw a number OF
them upon one OF our wagon parks.
A half dozen horses we're killed or
injured so badly that they they had
70 be shot Such weapons, how
ever, are not seriously considered
for offensive purposes. An artillery
column or a wagon train Is a mighty
small target from the clouds.
Arrow penetrates Tree
A tree was shown me which had
been struck by one Of the darts.
The point had penetrated an inch
and half into a hard knot.
Tho trenches and firing line are
on the crest OF hill about five
minutes walk from the town, but
cannot be seen because OF the dense
woods.
A firecracker.like sputter tells,
however. what In going on up there.
Several wounded men have been
brought in.
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