Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-02
RIDES OF TORTURE
FOR NER RVE-RACKED
VICTIMS OF STRIFE
Red Cross Unable to Proper
ly Care for w d e d .
Hospitals Overcrowded
and Relief Trains made
quate.
PARIS Oct q

PARIS, Oct. 2.
The Red Cross and allied institutions
Of mercy have been swamped by the
vast number of wounded soldiers from
the great battle of the Aisne. Early in
the conflict Paris was overwhelmed by
the constant stream of wounded men
that flowed in from the north and east
Hospitals were established in the suburbs,
but these were filled Immediately, and
now all of southern and western France
Is full of stations for the care of the
doctors and nurses.
Many wounded British soldiers have
been sent to England for treatment, but
large number of them were hurt so
severely that they could not stand the
journey.
Judging from the casualties of the first
week Of the gigantic engagement, it
would be safe to estimate the losses of
the Allies to date at more than 100000.
OF these. the greater part were wounded,
but many classed as wounded have died.
The greater part of the wounded are
brought southwark by night. There ls
little place in a great war like the pres
ent one for tenderness, so that most of
the soldiers are brought from the front
in cattle cars, on couches of blood-soaked
straw.
In some instances ordinary freight
cars are used. The floor is covered with
straw to the depth of two feet The
wounded are then arranged in the car
and the door is locked. There is little
air and no food or water. Only a few
trains are accompanied by surgeons, be-
cause their services are needed too
badly at the front. Sometimes smoky
lantern. that gives off stencil of oil and
but little light, Is hung in the car. Often,
however. the cars are in total darkness.
At times. owing to a change of posi-
ton or movement of artillery, the
freight trains filled with wounded are
shunted about upon sdetracks for hours,
each sudden jerk of the train sending
pangs of torture through the fever
racked bodies of the victims.
The sights witnessed at the destination
of one of these charnel trains, when the
doors are cast back and the Red Cross
nurses begin to carry out the shattered
passengers, is too painful to be remem-
bered. Here is one man with his head
bandaged in a bloodsoaked rag and who,
in the paroxysms of pain has burrowed
his face into the filthy red straw; here
is another with shattered arm or leg
which shoots razor pains through his
body at every movement of the train;
here Is another with a bullet in his body,
his lips black and his eyes glazed with
the film of death Among this Eroaning |
cargo Hes one who neither means nor !
moves and to whom the battle shout nor |
the thunder of the Cannonade brings any |
Hat
devotion to his country and his life was |
the consideration
The doctors have been amazed at the |
stoicism of the TurCos, who are fighting |
with the French. These wild. battle-lov-
ing warriors seldom give way to emo !
ton, no matter now badly they have |
been hurt
Many French families have thrown !
open their homes 10 the wounded. An
interesting contrast is presented by the
sight OF seeing a dirty. bearded soldier,
MS banda Sed body covered with torn,
blood-clotted uniform. car
led into one of these splendid mansions,
where spotlcss linen and fine wines await
ris pleasure This is but one phase OF
'rCnch patriotism.
The British Red Cross organization is
uLting 200 motor ambulances into France.
live hundred would not bo too many.
The military hospital at the Tranun
'alaCc, Versailles contains about 500 Brit
sh soldiers. The American hospital at
he Lyceo Pasteul, Ncuilly dedicated 10
Military purpOscsI. contains about lSu
british soldiers. Americans have a right
D be proud of this hospital, which is de-
cribed as one of the lest of it, type,
There are nearly 100 British soldiers
l the Astoria Hotel, which has been
'ansformcd into a hospital Many other
alisan hotels also have been turned
no bognit1lS