Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-10-10
DRIVEN TO ATROCITIES, GERMAN
COMMANDER TELLS CORRESPONDENT

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nothing but accounts of German vic
tories, of which never had heard, but
1t seemed greatly to cheer the men.
Field kitchens with smoke pouring
from their stovepipe tunnels rumbled
down the lines, serving steaming soup
ana conee to the marching men, who
heid out tin cups and had them filled
without once breaking step.
Covered Wagons Hide Machine Guns.
Ihere were wagons filled with army
'copoiers, sitting cross-legged on the
moor, who were mending soldiers
snoes Just as if they were back in
their little shops in the fatherland-
Otper 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 magnifi-
cent as businesslike. 1t was as per
fectly equipped and as efficient as
great city hospital.
Men on bicycles with a coil of in
suiated wire slung between them
strung field telephone from tree to
tree SO the general commanding could
converse with any part of tho so miles
long column
The whole army never sleeps.
When half is resting the other half
is advancing The soldiers are treat
ed as If they were valuable machines
which must be speeded up to the high
est possible efficiency. Therefore, they
are well fed, well shod, we'll clothed,
and worked as a negro teamster works
mules.
Only men who are well cared for
can march 35 miles a day week in and
week out Only once did 1 see a 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 quiv-
cred.
Finally Reaches Won Boehn.
1t was considerably past midday and
we were within a few miles of the
French frontier when we saw a guidon
which signifies the presence of the
head of the army, planted at the en-
trance of a splendid old chateau. As
We passed through the iron gates and
whirled up the stately tree-lined drive
and drew up in front of the terrace a
dozen officers in staff uniform came
! running out to meet US. For a few
| minutes it felt as if we were being
welcomed at a country house in Ameri-
ca instead of at the headquarters of
the German army in the field. So
perfect was the field telephone service
that the staff had been able to keep in
touch with our progress along the
I live - e.,
After dinner we grouped ourselves
on the terrace in the self-conscious
| attitude people always assume when
having their pictures taken, and
Thompson made some photographs.
, this war, at least of German general
and an American war correspondent
who was not under arrest
Then we gathered about the table
on which was spread staff map of
| the war area, and got down to serious
business. The general began by as
sorting that the stories of atrocities
perpetrated on Belgian noncombatants
were a tissue of lies.
Look at these officers about you,"
he said. They are gentlemen like
yourself. Look at the soldiers march
ing past in the road out there. Most
of them are fathers of families. Sure
~ you don't believe they would do the
things they have been accused Of"
Explains Aerschot Crimes.
Three days ago, general" / said,
Il was in Aerschot. The whole town
now is but CHASTITY, blackened, blood
stained ruin
When we entered Aerschot the son
of the burgomaster came into the
room, drew a revolver, and assassinat-
| ed my chief of staff, )" the general said
What followed was only retribution
The townspeople only got what they
deserved
But why wreak your vengeance on
women and children ?"
None has been killed., the general
asserted positively.
Il am sorry to contradict you, gen.
eral," l asserted with equal positive
ness, but l have myself seen their
mutflated bodies. So has Mr. Ginson,
secretary of the American legation
at Brussels. who was present during
the destruction of Louvain."
"Of course, there always is danger
of women and children being killed
during street lighting said General
Won Boehn, IF they insist on coming
into the street, 1t is unfortunate, but
il is war"
Data StartIes General.
But how about a woman's body 1