Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-09
CROWN PRINCES ARMY MAKES
SLOW, BUT STEADY, ADVANCE
Karl H. Wiegand Writes of Visit to Kasers Sons Army in
Trenches in Forest of Argonne-Tes OF 'Subterranean
Warfare and Describes See mes in Conflict

french and took it by storm a few
moments later. At that time the two
trenches were within thirty-five feet
of each other. The Germans and
French had fought from these
positions for one week, chiefly with
hand grenades, neither being able TO
drive out the other When l was pre-
scented to the crown prince yesterday
at his headquarters he said:
II would like very much to nave
you see the operations in the Argonne
forest and the work of my army |
would like to have you convince
yourself that I am not retreating, as
has been repeatedly reported. / can
not guarantee your safety, however,
and the visit will have to be made on
your own responsibility
Later the crown prince said his per-
sonal physician could accompany me
to render first aid. if necessary"
Better first make your will and
leave us the address of your family,
was the cheering suggestion of Lieu-
tenant-General Won K German
censor does not permit the use of
names of high ofticers), the crown
princes chief of staff and one of Ger
many's famous strategists. Captain
VAIL, of the general staff, who speaks
perfect English, was detailed to ac-
company me.
ut was a clear bright, but cold
morning. We Travelled by team for
twenty miles, where horses awaited
us near Cornay. As we rode away a
French aeroplane appeared high in
the sky a little to the south of us.
German guns from protected places
opened a slow fire, but the aerial
scout made his escape. We entered
the Argonne by a broad avenue like
corduroy, which the Germans had cut
and built through the woods. Heavy
rains and the columns of wagons
bringing supplies and ammunition to
the front had left an indescribable
condition. Under the muddy water
the round saplings forming the base
of the road were more slippery and
treacherous than ice. We were more
than an hour riding three miles. We
passed a column of smoking "goulash
cannons," as the field kitchens are
called, filed with steaming coffee
soup and stews. Each was drawn by
three horses. The column was NOV
ing towards the font
The rifle fire deeper in the woods
became founder. From the left came
the laundering of guns around YER
dun. the bombardment of which has
for some unknown reason been post
poned.
Soon the occasional "zing zing" of
a stray bullet was noticed. We then
dismounted. A dozen German SOL
diers were buried where we left our
horses. Major Wiette and Major
Menge both pioneers as the sap
pers are called in Germany, greeted
us and took us to General Won NJ,
commanding the division in this vi
cinity The general came out of his
Underground headquarters. Numer-
GUS holes in the ground led to quite
comfortable habitations. They re-
sembled the Nebraska "dugouts" of
pioneer days, but are far more sub
stantially built, being thoroughly
timbered to make them shell-splinter
proof. Some had fireplaces and even
rugs or pieces of carpet for floor
coverings.
Moving forward We met a number
of wounded coming back. They said
a French trench had just been
stormed and taken. Confirming their
statement a group of 165 prisoners,
including lieutenant. followed.