New-York tribune., 1914-11-22

the nearest railroad station horses for these and
for the cavalry, held telegraph, wireless stations
automobile searchlights, acroplanes and other
paraphernala.
FIFTEEN THOUSAND TONS OF FOOD TO BE
PROVIDED DAILY.
Not long after the war began, according to
statements alleged 10 be official, Germany called
out every available man. This would give total
of 100000 men in the field to be supplied with
food clothing, ammunition and everything else
needed for actual service.
If tn, German soldier is fed as well he was
in the Franco-Prussian War the 100000 men
will require 1864 tons Of food day
It is estimated that there are 100000 horses in
the field with the German troops and they too
must eat. If fed short rations, say, ten pounds
of grain daily, as they in 1870, this would
mean 1000 tons, exclusive of other fodder such
as hay, great deal Of which must be transported
by rail.
In Germany until within the last twenty years
most of the freight constructed for
loads net exceeding ten tons. OF the 3S2,lS5
freight cars in use in Prussia in 1907 35.s per
cent had capacity of ten tons, 6O.7 per cent
capacity of fifteen tons and 35 per cent ca
pacity OF twenty tons.
Allowing twelve tons a car, fair estimate for
the little four-wheeled trucks which constitute
the greater percentage Of the equipment these
two items alone would fiji 1,173 cars day.
The ammunition and the guns had to be carried
to the front by rail, and much Of il must be trans
ported tack and forth several times. It is esti-
mated that there will be many shiftings in posi-
ton, requiring Of the railroads the task of trans
porting a million men in different parts Of the
empire TO various positions on the firing line.
LINES HAVE swAYED BACK AND FORTH
MANY MILES AT A TINE.
In East Prussia, in Poland in Galcia, the bat
tie lines have swayed back and forth, not hun
dreds Of yards at a time in the west but
twenty-five, fifty, one hundred miles at time
The first phase in East Prussia began with the
Russians close to Konigsberg and ended with the
tremendous Russian slaughter at Tannenberg
The situation for Germany is getting ncreas-
ngly difficult, in far relates to the policy
Of shifting troops back and forth the strate-
gic railroads of the empire. The Allies in the
west are getting better prepared for a permanent
offensive, and the constant hammering Of the
Germans on the Allies lines at various points
like Yprcs, is resulting in little in the bulk but
enormous losses TO the Kaiser'5 forces.
When the history OF the is written one Of
the most dramatic chapters may have 70 do with
the part the railroads played.
In the Franco-P -Prussan WAY the Germans
pushed their armies across to Paris and were
feeding them, reinforcing them and supplying all
the munitions of war over the railway.
Bridges and tunnels were blown up, desperate
men struck desperate blows for their country by
wrecking trains.
At times every inch OF the line, says Suther-
land Edwards, was covered, and the trains ex-
tended half quarter Of q mile each way. To
look for any particular train was like looking
for Progressive in Tammany Hall, but you could
make your search If you liked.
FRENCH CITIZENS CARRIED AS SHIELDS FOR
THE TROOPS
French engine drivers and signalmen were i'm
pressed to work the sections of the line that they
knew To prevent train wrecking prominent
French citizens were often carried on the engine,
where, In of explosion or accident their
safety would be imperlcd even more than that
of the troops in the behind.
Armed guards also kept watch over the drivers
to see that they did what required OF them.
On one occasion driver and his stoker over
powered the soldiers and threw them off the
engine. They uncoupled the latter in the middle
Of tunnel and made off with it until they had
covered mile or more.
Then they reversed the gear, turned on steam
and sprang off leaving the locomotive to dash
back into the train and work havoc among their
enemies
favorite device, and one that has often beer
resorted to- is for person familiar with
locomotives to creep into the engine sheds at
night, get up steam IN engine switch 1t on to
the main line. and ther let 1t run wild, after
jumping to the ground.
In the earlier war tho French estimated the
army TO BE encountered AT about $4,000 men and
their own at about 100000 They expected 70
compensate for the German preponderanee by
rapdity Of movement, says Major Bgelow. Their