The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1914-08-28
SIDELIGhTS ON
war IN EUROPE
Uniforms of French and
Belgians Disadvantage.
Germans Are Confident That the
Zeppelins Will Prove Deadly
Agents Of War.

Granville Fortescue. war cores
pondent OF the London Daily Tele-
graph. says the red trousers of the
French soldiers and the fiamboyant
uniform generally of the French and
Belgian troops place them at a great
disadvantage. compared with the
Germans, who have uniforms of in
conspicuous hue. Mr.. Fortescue
wired from the front
THE Belgian and French soldiers
are under a severe handicap in the
matter OF uniforms. II is more than
a dozen years since the Boer war.
which should have taught its lesson.
Certainly, these soldiers should dis
card their blue coats and red trous-
ers for more neutral color. They
have covered the red top of theid
caps to prevent them from being dis
covered by aeroplane scouts, but the
famboyant uniforms make fair
mark. Such a target is all that
gunner could ask for.
1.-THE Germans have adopted a
gray and green uniform, which Is
almost invisible against the tints of
fields, highways and woodlands. AL
though l had a flrst-class glass, l
had great difficulty in locating Ger
man soldiers. although l knew they
were near at hand.
: what / have just written applies
with more force to the Belgians than
any others. A Belgian force Is as
conspicuous as a fresh claret stain
; with many French regiments this
week Although the men are most
iy young. they are going to war with
serious thoughts in their heads. 1t
is unusual among a people whose ma
tural temperament is so buoyant
and gay. Their solemnity is more
apparent. perhaps among the Off
GERS than the soldiers, for 1t has
been brought home to them that
war is a mighty serious affair.
81 was particularly struck with
the behavior and apparent efficien-
cy of the French artillerymen. This
arm of the French service is going
to give a splendid account OF itself.
OF the French cavalry l can say but
little, as l have only seen small de-
tachments Of II.
II passed one night in an inn
crowded to suffocation with soldiers.
My bed, made of an army blanket.
was surrounded by sleeping soldiers.
One thing that struck me forcibly
was the easy familiarity between che
officers and the men. I was surpris-
Cd to hear a Major arguing violent
ly against some suggestion of the
General Of a division. The Major
apparently won his point and was
greatly elated thereby.
"If had not been dead tired,
could not have slept. for throughout
the night constant string of motor
buses bearing soldiers and supplies
rumbled past. accompanied by the
thunder of cavalry and the clatter of
artillery limbers.
~ believe that am the first war
correspondent to have witnessed an
actual engagement between French
and German troops in considerable
numbers. A force of German light
infantry. supported by mountain bat
teries, made a determined attack on
a French force. The fight lasted all
day. During the morning the Ger
mans had the advantage. The sight
of the German flag reused the
French soldiers to fury. and about 2
p. m. heard. for the first time. the |
sound of French field artillery in ac-
tion. The first volley brought down
the German flag. its staff having
been snapped.
-"The artillery was composed of
two batteries, and the French gun
ners set about coolly and methodic-
ally to pour q steady and effective
fire into the German ranks. In the
meantime a smotherins fire I could |
see the Germans begin to disappear.
Another French regiment came up. |
and the French pushed forward to
occupy the position from which they |
had been driven during the morning.
The road was dotted with dead that :