The Detroit times., 1914-08-22
HOMELY LIFE OF BELGIAN
PEASANTS GOES ON ASEARTH
SHAKES MEATH CANN0NADE|

these soldiers, was held five minutes
while body of boy scouts passed the
water to them.
Boy Scouts Pass Water TO Wounded.
The boy scouts belgian pronuncia-
ton "scots') range from one end OF
the train to the other, for every
he can get At the front they got
only two drinks daily.
At the front, from Tirlemont on, |
realized | was truly In the heart Of
the most embattled country the world
has seen. .....
Devastation Is on every hand.
Most OF this devastation In Belgium
was carefully prepared by the Bel
gians themselves. This country is all
fiat, and each wood where the Ger
mans might take refuge In future
charges was cut down. 1 saw soldiers
everywhere burning underbrush that
might serve the Germans as bulwarks.
II was sickening to see the beauti-
full golden grain, all ready for the
reaper. going down before the flames.
Deep trenches, filled>~with boughs
and covered lightly with dirt, were
being prepared as traps.
Limousine and Ford Blood Stained.
Bridges were being undermined to
fall when the weight of the German
troops came upon them.
The roads here swarmed with com
Wandered automobiles. saw satin
lined limousines, stained with blood,
as often as little Fords. = ---- -
Each contained contingent OF
fresh soldiers rushing to the front or
of wounded being brought back, each
always guarded by carbineers stand
ing up behind, rifles in hand.
There were scores upon scores OF
captured German Uhlans in evidence
at this point and they always seemed
very gay, unless badly wounded.
Their tents, matched with straw. are
everywhere.
The fields every which way look
are one series OF trenches thrown up
as defenses against the enemy. Trees
are thrown across roads, and barb
wire entanglements reach across the
land for miles.
One whole stretch Of enchanted
wood Is filled with horrible traps and
barbs that will strike back Teuton In
vasion.
But the most noticeable thing is the
gaiety. The Belgian troops have the
perfect confidence In their prowess.
All sorts Of messages are chalked on
trains and houses. The favorite one
is "a Berlin" meaning "On to Der
lin.
An equally popular message, be-
cause II is chalked everywhere, Is:
THE KAISER HAS Modified
GOD. BUT HE CAN'T MAKE HIM
From Landen TO Waremme the
train scarcely moved. and here we
found that the German outposts we're
only a half-hour ahead OF us. indeed,
they had once taken the town Of Wa
remme but lost 1t back to Belgium.
Cook 10 Music Of cannonade.
The peasants were again In their
homes peacefully cooking the evening
meal as though q deafening cannon
ade were a common thing. So took
heart myself and went into the cafe
Lion Dor Tor supper. ~
There met the burgomaster of
Liege, himself on parole from the
Germans. I tried to draw him into
but he was too sad.
II cannot speak" he said: sit is
too sad. My citizens are being har>
assed by the Germans. II IL terrible!
But we shall have revenge" and he
smiled little.
THE English will help US now.
When they get here we shall see!"
As the train started hack to Brus-
sells and safety, night came on and
the sky In the east glowed with the
German campfires. But through the
air, mixing with revelry, were Belgian
voices singing the national hymn!