The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1914-09-24
SAW MEAUX BATTLE
English Correspondent Describes
TIE Recent Fighting.
Graphic Picture Of the Artillery Con-
fiict, the Wrecked Village and Aer-
oPlanes Cruising About Over
1t All.
By FRANKLIN p. MERRIck,
International News Service Staff Coz

inAS' national news service Stan Cor.
respondent.
Parls-An English correspondent
who has just returned to Paris gives
a lively description of the fighting at
Meaux, which is on the Marne so
miles east of Paris. He was an eye
witness of part of the conflict which
centered around Meaux, where the
German lines finally gave way and
fell back.
l came upon the battle at Meaux
with startling suddenness," said the
correspondent. my motor car had
just topped little rise overhanging
the town when it was stretched out
like a panorama before my eyes. For
some time I had been hearing the
growl of the artillery and knew that
the allied forces were in action
against the Germans. I stopped my
automobile upon the crest and looked
upon thrilling scenes.
Behind piece of thicket could
see troops and far distant along the
range Of hills we're several batteries
of artillery. In the foreground was
a cluster of cottages surrounded by
fields. In the fields were a number
Of hay stacks, some of which had
| been set on fire. In another field
| number of frightened horses were
| galloping about. Opposite the Ger
man guns, about five or six miles dis
tant, I should Judge, were several
| batteries Of French artillery.
The day was clear and the clouds
of white smoke which rolled upward
drifted lazily in the upper currents.
Far overhead and distinct against the
sun cruised the inevitable German
aeroplane.
II could see shrapnel bursting in
the air with little clouds of squirting
black smoke, for the Germans charge
their shells with powder which gives
off black smoke so that they can
ascertain where the shrapnel are fall
ing. I could see showers of dirt
spraying upward where shells ric-
ochetted on the ground.
| German shells were falling In the
fields just beyond Meaux. We could
see long twisting snake-like line Of
new earth, where the French had
| thrown up entertainments.
81 pushed onward into the town.
How changed it was from the peace
full, sleepy little French village of a
week before. It was desolate and
empty. Houses had been burned or
wrecked by shells. The bridge was
blown into a shapeless mass. The
streets were like avenues in city of
the dead. But soon I saw that the
town had not been deserted, for when
the chasseurs came gathering through
with the iron-shod hoofs of their
horses ringing upon the cobbles many
shutter was cautiously opened and
heads peeped forth to see whether
the troops were French, English or
German.
Looking upward, l saw several
more aeroplanes, but could not tell
whether they were French or Ger
man. I could see shells bursting be
meath the machines and marveled
how the gunners could tell whether
they were firing upon friend or foe
Curious scenes attend every battle
but one Of the most unusual that
witnessed was in Meaux. A shell fell
in the street and tore up a great hole
Dirt and stones rained upon all the
buildings in the neighborhood.
passed by Immediately afterward and
when some one opened shutter to
look out I caught a glimpse of g
woman sitting within the room darn
ing, as though nothing was happen
ing. On all sides Of her battle ragged;
she alone seemed to be calm.
'T~ tried to get into the fields flank
ing Marine to see what was happening
where the infantry and cavalry were
believed to be engaged, but an OLD
man warned me back. Hell itself
seems to have turned loose he said
"I turned and made off toward
Paris and as I again passed over the
hill tops the sound of the cannonade
was in my ears and the geysers OF
earth from bursting shells"