Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-09-25
DRIVEN TO ATROCITIES, GERMAN
COMMANDER TELLS CORRESPONDENT

morning edition of Deutsche Kreiger
Zeitung was being printed and distrib-
uted to the passing men. It contained
nothing but accounts Of German vic.
tories, OF which never had heard, but
It 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 filled with army
cobblers, sitting cross-legged on the
floor. who were mending soldiers
shoes just as II they were back in
their little shops in the fatherland.
Other wagons. to all appearances ordi-
nary two wheeled farm carts, hid I'M
der their arched canvas covers nine
machine guns which could instantly
be brought into action.
The medical corps was as magnifi-
cent as businesslike. It was as per
fectly equipped and as efficient as a
great city hospital.
Men on bicycles with 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 tho so miles
long column.
The whole army never sleeps,
| hnl de- he ~ 10
Is 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, we'll shod. we'll clothed
and worked as a negro teamster works
mules.
Only men who are well cared fol
can march 35 miles day week in and
vSeek out. Only once did see mar
mistreated. A sentry on duty in from
Of the general headquarters failed Il
salute an officer with sufficient prompt
ness, whereupon the officer dashed hin
, again and again across the face witt
a riding whip. Though welts ros
, with every blow, the soldier stoo
rigidly at attention and never quiz
cred.
Finally Reaches Won Boehn.
1t was considerably past midday an
we we're within few miles Of tn
French frontier when we saw a guidol
which signifies the presence of tn
; head OF the army, planted at the Ell
: trance of a splendid old chateau. A
? we passed through the iron gates an
: whirled up the stately tree-lined driv
and drew up in front Of the terrace
dozen officers in stan uniform cam
running out to meet us. For fe'
minutes It felt as II we were bein
T welcomed at country house In Amer
l. ca instead ~ at the headquarters I
, the German army In the field.
IS perfect was the Geld telephone serviC
It that the ataff had been able to keep
4. touch WITH eur progress along tt
d lines and we're waiting dinner for u
s. After dinner we grouped ourselvt
on the tsrrRce in the self-conscioI
'e attitude people always assume whe
81 having their pictures taken, al
" Thompson made some photograph
" They probably are the only ones
re this war, at least of German gener
Ig and an American war corresponds
who was not under arrest.
m Then we gathered about the tabl
In on which was spread staff map
lie the war area, and got down to serio
ct business. The general began by 6
Iak he CO nF OF
IL perpetrated on Belgian noncombatan
% were a tissue Of lies.
h Look at these officers about yoI
he he said. ''They are gentlemen II
of yourself. Look at the soldiers marc
Nv ing past In the road out there. Nc
ed OF them are fathers Of families. Su
he ~ you don't believe they would do t
&c things they have been accused Of"
Explains Aersehot Crimes.
Three days ago, general" l sa
g IL was In Aerschot. The whole to-
'n now is but CHASTITY, blackened, bio,
% stained ruin"
- when we entered Aerschot the 8
- of the burgomaster came into
4 room, uE6W u EcNOANCA9 anu oS50ScAu
~ ed my chief OF STAFF" the general SO
- What followed was only retributi
-, The townspeople only got what Il
- deserved"
IN But why wreak your vengeance
nc women and children?"
air ''None has been killed" the gene
a, asserted positively.
Il am sorry to contradict you. G
IN eral," asserted with equal positl
ness, sbut | have myself seen I'll
md mutilated bodies. So has Mr.. Gins
I'M. secretary OF the American legat
ms at Brussels, who was present dur
II the destruction OF Louyain."
len "Of course, there always is dan
as of women and children being xii
as during street fighting" said Gems
nj Won Boehn, IF they insist on com
The into the street 1t is unfortunate.
ere it is war"