Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-12-14
nv KARL II. Won WIEGAND.


Omitted Press Staff CorrespoSdent)
GRAND GENERAL HEADQUAR-
TIERS IN FRANCE, Dec. s.-(via
London) Short range fighting, ter
rible in its destructiveness, is the
greatest factor and the most impor-
tant lesson of the present war.
This was the statement made to
me by Chief Quartermaster General
Won Wild, at the German headquar-
ters here in discussing the various
revolutionary changes in fighting
methods since the opening Of the
world war.
1.-THE short range fighting is the
greatest and most surprising milf
tary lesson Of the war;" said General
Won Wild. at has always been fig.
ured that infantry fighting in mod
ern warfare would be at a range OF
more than 1000 yards. Instead of
this being true-and to the surprise
of most military experts-it has de-
veloped that most OF the lighting has
occurred at range Of from 90 to
1900 yards
with the latest model OF magazine
rifles and machine guns, it is possible
to allow the enemy TO approach very
close and then open a terrific and
deadly FIRE.
Il consider this TO be the greatest
factor and the most important lesson
of the war"
Until a week abo when he was ap-
pointed as quartermast general, Won
/ Wild commanded division in the
field. He described graphically the
| fearful slaughter of the British in
short range fighting. The English
soldiers, he declared, fought with
/ lion-like bravery. advancing against
! the German rifles and guns with a
display of almost superhuman cour-
age.
81 have been deeply touched" the
general said "by going over the bat
tlefelds and finding scores of dead
English soldiers. presenting the un-
usual spectacle of lying on their
backs with their arms outstretched
heavenward."
General Won Wild said he could
not account for the sudden stiffenina
of the bodies which resulted In the
arms Of the dead remaining in the
position, presenting such a wierC
and pathetic picture.
/ arrived at the general headquar
ters here after a weeks tour of thu
front in this section. During my Vi
sits to various points of the German
line. was within 55 miles Of Parii
at one time.
NV information as to the Kaiser
condition was gained through Sur
geon General Won Niedner, His Ma
jestys personal physician last nigh
a. the Bellevue Palace in the Tier
Garten, where the Kaiser is nov
stopping. The surgeon general wa
on his way to attend the Kaiser whel
I stopped him in the corridor fey
steps from His Majesty's apartments
] asked him If he would not tell m
the nature of the Kaiser's illness an
his condition. He replied there wa
: absolutely no ground for the alarm
\ ing reports that had been spread 4
foreign countries.
His Majesty suffered an infection
of the throat from bronchial catarrl
caused by a cold which he contrac
ted" said Won Niedner.
"He had a fever, but that is no.
disappeared. The Kaiser was abb
to be up today and received numerou
guests. He will receive several MOI
tonight That is why I am hurryin
III ! cannot talk longer as / want to So
| him before the guests arrive.
! Il can say His Majesty is col
= valescing. but he will have to r.
: main indoors and rest for severi
days"
II Answering a question as to whe
the Kaiser could again go to the feel
with his armies, the surgeon genera
replied:
Certainly within a week or te
days"