The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

Beauvais. Sept ls-Despite the strict
orders OF all the belligerent powers that
no war correspondent be allowed al the
front, two of them have just arrived
here from the scene of fighting. One OF
them related their experiences.
We were in motor car he said,
and when we turned a corner sharply.
We saw the Germans coming, eighteen of
them, on horses. / had taken the pre-
caution to hide all the passes and rec
concentrations that would identify me as
a journalist in my boot. Our safe-con-
ducts did not say who we were. To all
appearances we were Just ordinary peo-
pie with an eccentric fancy for motor
ing in the danger zone We pulled out
our safe-conducts and hoped for the best.
"'Vos papiers,' said the officer in COM
mand, speaking French with good &C
cent. He studied them attentively.
"'Oeffnen' Copen). demanded a grufr
corporal on the other side of the car.
pointing to our bags. He had a very
large revolver with which he covered
us. while one trooper menaced the chauf-
feur with his lance. Out of our bags
the corporal took some maps and the
first thing that showed itself in our
drivers valice was a revolver. The cor
pdral grunted with delight as he pock-
etsd it. He glanced at the officer as
much as to say. What need have We Of
any further proof
But the officer was a gentle. thought
full type of man. He took no notice.
From where do you Gomez he In
quired.
From Beauvais, monsieur
"'And you are going where
ITO Paris. monsieur
All to Paris
He smiled refectively, as If to say,
I am going there. too Then he stud
led our papers again and compared the
atrocious photographs pasted on them
with our sunburned faces.
Then the corporal demanded a news
paper which the driver had. The driver
thought he wanted his bowler hat. which
was in a net in front OF him. He offered
II politely. 'Nein, nein! die Zeitung" he
was told We gave up our maps and
stood Up so the seats could be lifted.
Everything in the car was turned over.
Nothing discriminating turned up.
suddeRIy Freed.
Then, all OF sudden. we found We
were discharged. With a sharp word OF
command the officer jerked his patrol
into motion. All right he said, in fair
ly good English. 1t is all right
"'Open her up said to the chauffeur.
Indicating the motor. Let's get away
from here. In and out of lanes and by
ways we turned and twisted until we
were on the main road once more. There
was no sign of the troops. They had
evidently turned of. Then we thought
We might as well carry out our intention
OF going to Clermont, which lay east
ward whereas our friepds tho TThlans
to have come from the North.
We asked at one or two farms II all were
well there. Yes, yes We were told. So
We bowled along. But Just as we came
to the first house of Clermont We saw
two or three people running toward us,
looking back over their shoulders. Go
back. go back! they cried to us. The
streets are full of Germans
Then we understood why the officer In
charge Of the patrol had let us go. He
knew we were heading straight for a
place which had Just been occupied by
Germans. He was certain We would fall
into German hands again. have never
seen a motor car turn so quickly as ours
did. The driver seemed to sing it right
around by one furious pull at the wheel
Back We rushed. Where had the French
army got to?
Here. at all events, were four of its
soldiers jogging along In a covered van
right into the enemy's lines. HurriedIy
we explained to them what had happen
ed. In a few seconds they were out Of
their van and into bur car and We were
tearing along again.
ut was dangerous, of course, but we
could not leave the poor fellows there.
II thev catch u.s. I said. we shall say