The Dolores star., 1914-09-25

morning edition Of Deutsche Kreiger
zeitung was being printed and distrib-
uted to the passing men. II contained
nothing but accounts OF German vic
tories, Of which l,neyer had heard. but
Il seemed greatly to cheer the men.
Field Kitchens with smoke pouring
from their stovepipe tunnels rumbled
down the lines. serving steaming soup
and coffee to the marching men, who
held out tin cups and had them filled
without once breaking step
Covered Wagons Hide Machine Guns.
There were wagons filed with army
cobblers. sitting cross.legged on the
door, who were mending soldiers
shoes Just ~ II they were back In
their little shops In the fatherland.
Other 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.
IT'D medical corps was as magnih.
cent - businesslike. Il was as per
fectly equipped and as efficient as q
great city hospital.
Men on bicycles with a coil OF In.
sulated wire slung between them
strung field telephone from tree to
tree SO the general commanding could
converse with any part OF the 50 miles
long column.
The whole army never sleeps.
When half Is resting the other half
IL advancing. The soldiers are treat.
ed as II they were valuable machines
which must be speeded up to the high
est possible efficiency. Therefore. they
are well fed. well shod. well clothed.
and worked ~ . negro teamster works
mules.
ONLY men who are well cared for
can march IS miles . day week In and
week out. Only once did l see man
mistreated. A sentry on duty in front
of the general headquarters failed to
salute an ofncer 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 Beaches Won 0eehn.
1t was considerably past midday and
we were within a few miles OF the
French frontier when we saw . guidon,
which signifies the presence Of the
head Of the army. planted at the en-
trance Of . 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 4
dozen officers in star uniform came
running out to meet us. For few
minutes II felt a. II we were being
welcomed at 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
lines and were waiting dinner for US.
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.
They probably are the only ones OF
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 stan 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 tissue OF Hes.
Look at these of'icers about you.
he said. They are gentlemen like
yourself Look ut 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 or
ExAalns Asrsehot Crimes. -
.rs.. -, ,., ,
Is, .s. = A....se, IT.. ~s,,a ,am,
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