The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-03
BY WILLIAM THILLIP SIhMS.
(StQ6 CorreSnOndent Lntrad prsss

'StuH IOITeSpOHuSHt OHstod PTeSs.)
HAZEBRoUCK, France, Oct. U.s.
(By Mail to New York; wish to
record in the first paragraph my deep
regard for the Belgians. The French
pinch the average war correspon-
dent and clap him into Jail whenever
he shows the slightest inclination 10
do any corresponding; the English
deport him; the Russians make fow-
cry welcome-to-our-midst speeches
and keep him so far behind the fight
ing line that he can't even hear the
guns shoot.
/ But the Belgians are real sports.
They have fellow feeling. They are
all right They wink an eye and turn
back while we go close enough to
give the Germans a pot shot at US.
Only this morning they let me chase
one OF their own, specially-manufac-
tued Belgian battles into its lair along
the User river-and then let the bat.
tie chase me to Hazebrouck. Need
less to say. outran the battle. Early
this morning | was in Dunkirk yearn-
ing for closer acquaintance with the
] fighting l could hear going on II
miles away went to the service
lieutenant, a gray-haired little reserv-
list. for a pass. Plead as might, the
only pass he would give me was one
to England. | left, the reservist lieu
tenant. crestfallen and badly disap-
pointed. There seemed no hope in
my direction. sauntered by Belgian
headquarters. where met a Belgian
lieutenant with whom | had dinner
last night. told him my troubles.
TOO bad" he said. I'm going to
Hazebrouck today. My laissez-passer
is for two. Want to go along?"
Did i? did!
We hurried TO the lieutenants car,
and In no time passed through the
barbados at the city gates, over the
bridge spanning the sea water moat.
and on TO the country. The wind
shield had been shot away. and as we
turned the road a fine mist stung our
faces like bay rum after close
shave. Not until we passed through
Coudekerk did my friend speak.
Like TO see some scrapping?' he
casually asked
/ gasped, swallowing much mist.
couldn't believe my ears. The fight.
ing Is just short distance to our
left, and the roads are good Want
to risk it?''
. I could only nod, Yes"
And so, after passing lovely Ber-
ques, moated and fortified and battle
menteo and medieval, We switched TO
the left and slid like a streak along
the road, stopping only once 10 shew
our laissez- passer at East Cappell.
where we entered Belgium. We turn
ed north toward Dixmude.
Then suddenly, bang!
We darted into cross road and
right near us, judging by sound, the
big guns were slamming away. We
left the car and walked toward a
windmill 500 yards away, across beet
fields, and truck garden.
The firing became louder with huge
booms echoing from our right.
"The French are using their 75-mil-
limetres over there" said the lieuten-
ant, pointing northward. In the dis
lance saw a small village.
The windmill was deserted. We
mounted the ladders TO the top and
looked out There was the battle.
The German batteries were hidden in
a depression but we could see the
puffs from their guns. Shells we're
flying back and forth over the village.
Occasionally shrapnel shell burst
over the tile roofs
"Belgians and French hold the vii.
lage," said the lieutenant The Ger
mans are about to attempt 10 drive
them out"
Through the glasses could see
many houses and churches in ruins.
Let's get closer" | suggested. I've
seen artillery duels before. | want to
see infantry i'm action"
You'll find you're close enough"
was the answer, and the assertion was
confirmed a second later.
S-P.R-E.-V-W- W-W-W -E-EEi
A shell Kissed noisily Just over the
sails OF the windmill.
BOOM II exploded quite dis
lance back OF us
Bad miss" said the lieutenant
S.P-R. EVEN -W-W-E-E-E
Again came that kissing. a cross be.
tween a safety valve sizzling. and the
shrek OF train wheels after the sir
has been applied
The shell burst nearer than the
first with another boom.
Say" the lieutenant exclaimed,