The Sentinel=record., 1914-11-11
TRIED ID TRAP
 EAST INDIANS
OFFICERS RUsE AGAINST THE GHURkAS FAILED AND HE
 MET TASTY DEATH.
Disguised He Carried a Phony Order to the Ghurkas to Vaeate Their Position at the Front.

London Nov. 1o-7 p. m.-Tae In-
 dian forces in France have made
 good, but have achieved none of the
 extraordinary exploits attributed to l them, according to statement issued | by the official press bureau tonight
 under date of November 10 and writ | ten by an observer with the Indian corps"
 Above all the account emphasizes | the difficulties under which the ln-
 dians are fighting because of their ignorance of the French, German and English languages. Repeatedly the Germans have played tricks on them.
 "The Germans are full. of re- sources' says the account, and it is enc of their favorite plans to lure the allied troops into attacking them by various devices, of which an indi-
 cated intention of surrendering is the most common. If this deception is
 successful a skilfully concealed ma chine gun turns a murderous fire
 upon those who have advanced either
 to attack or to accept surrender.
 The audacity of the enemy can not better be illustrated than by a well authenticated statement of what
 took pace last night in trench held by the Gurkha regiment. A figure silnouetted by the moonlight
 and wearing a complete Gurkha uni form approached at the end of the trench and delivered this message.
 The Gurkhas are 10 move further up the trench; another Gurkha contingent
 is advancing in support Puzzled by this announcement the officer in command replied. Who are you? Where do you come from?'
 to which the only answer was: You
 are to move up and make room for other Gurkhas.
 "rne English was good but some thing excited the officers suspicious.
 Answer and answer quickly he
 said, if you are a Gurkha by what
 boat did you crossf'
 The German-for such he was turned and fled. But he dad not gone ] five yards before he fell, riddled with | bullets,
 'If the officer had been deceived, | the trenches, of course, would have swarmed with Germans almost before the Gurkhas had made room for them. it can readily be imagined that un-
 der such conditions the Indian troops
 engage the enemy in circumstances
 of special difficulty.
 "The Gurkhas understand no lam guage but their own and few others
 understand that. Taeir stragglers are exposed to difficulties in the way ot rejomng their units which it is al
 most impossible 10 eXasgerate.
 Letters found upon wounded men and prisoners make it clear that the ] lG,rman military authorities have specially cnareed the troops with the task of inf icting the severest pos sibla punishment on the forces whose civilization they deny and whose sol derly qualities they affect to dis parage,
 Under these circumstances it is the subject of great satisfaction that the Indian troops have so finely tul- filled the high expectations which were formed of them, A word of caution, however should be uttered with regard to the amazing adyen- lures and exploits attributed to them, recommendations desired neither by the officers nor the men.
 "It need hardly be said that the conduct and example of the British officers. who have undergone pre- cisely the same hardshps as the men. have been worthy of the highest traditions of the service. In .Oss of
 officers and men Great Britain has paid, is paying and will continue to pay cruel and constant price for the liberties of Europe and her own eX- isteuce as a worldwide power Of the situation in France tLc statement says: Little caange has taken place in the general position. There are not
 wanting, however signs that the Ger
 man offensive which has been as resolutely pushed as il mas been stub
 bornly met, is gradually spending its
 strength"