The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-11-05
ey RAYMOND e. SWING.

WIN hlbul Nluk VI NHt WI Hlhii
Army In Francc.-Ffve miles ahead
are the trenches, POO yards apart,
where the British and German troops
are takins their heroic parts In this
bloodicst and hardest fought battle OF
modern times. Occasional explosions
from big guns can be plainly heard.
] have just returned from an auto
mobile ride which brought me near
enough to the firing line to see shells
exploding on the horizon. First there
would be u great flash lighting up the
evening sky. followed by u %thunderous
discharge. | was q allowed TO drive
nearer.
British Behind Rock D%efenses.
The positions on both sides are ex.
Cellent. The British troops at this
point are mainly behind rock d%efenses,
but the Germans have worked their
way so close up that accurate fire on
both sides means death to the soldier
who carelessly protrudos his head.
One OF the diversions OF the Germans
is to put a cap on a rifle, hoist 1t above
the trenches and draw the immediate
and unerring fire OF the opponents.
The soldiers In the trenches for
days and nights have had n terrible
experience. Recently they were lying
in water under the exploding s%hrapnel
and receiving food only at night. when
black bread wine and sometimes soup
were passed TO them under cover OF
the darkness. On the German side for
many days the wounded lay In the
trenches until night before they could
be removed.
Now the weather has improved and
conditions are better. About three
miles behind the trenches artillery is
stationed. dropping shells and shrap.
mel upon the trenches and the gun pc.
sitions OF the opponents.
Flashlights Reveal Foe.
Ny impression Is that such fighting
can continue unrem!ttlngly and that
here at least the Germans viii per.
haps only attempt to hold the lines
while some other portion Of the Ger.
man army breaks through, either on
the far right wing or az Nerduu. The
British troops made several attempts
AZ night charges two nights < %. They
left their trenches and advanced on
the German positions but the move.
ment was suddenly revealed b. q
German fashlight. machine guns we're
quickly brought into position aud an
entire regiment OF E~nglishmea was
moved down by the deadly fire.
For two days | have been "A guest OF
the general commanding this corps.
who has his quarters IN a beautiful
French chateau. II Is ideally situated
in large grounds. richly provided with
game, which the stafI officers have
hunted these last few days during a
slight pause In the fighting at the
front. Before the castle are artificial
lakes, the grounds giving th. impress.
sion OF a small Versailles.
interested In U, S. Attitude.
| was welcomed warmly by tn OH.
GERS. all OF whom were Interested in
learning the attitude OF the United
States. The impression prevailed
among them hat the American gov.
eminent had assumed Il prOtcCtorat"
over German interests In China.
We dincd together in the great sa.
lon. the walls OF which were hung
profusely with valuable oil paintings
The menu was none too diverse, but
II was plentiful with wines In album
dance. / sat beside IN" city comman.
dant. who told m" of the situation in
the city.
The castle itself is filled with costly
treasures. There Is an especially
beautiful coin collection and Their" are
also old cngrayings OF priceless value.
The chateau was crowded with OH.
GERS. ! had lodgings In the library,
sleeping on a mattress on the floor be.
fore a cheerful fireplace Ia a room tho
antique furniture Of which would make
any connoisscur cuyIous.
In the front hall OF the chateau Is
a telephone switchboard, where two
soldiers sit with receivers AT their
ears, making notes OF reports from
the firing line.
Outside Is a scene OF ceaseless &C.
tiyity, Every moment automobiles
drive up the wide ~roadways. officers
dlsmcunt, answer the salutes OF the
orderlIes, go inside, emerge again,
hastily take their places In the auto.
mobiles and drive away quickly.
Horsemen In small attachments
come and go aud soldiers on bicycles
or on foot are In constant circulation
from early In the morning TN late at
night. One never forgets that this Is
n OF the brain centers OF the battle
going on FIVE miles ahead.
Tobacco Delights Fighters.
There was especial delight over the
arrival a short time & OF a dozen
automobiles heavily laden with gifts
for the soldiers. such as tobacco,
newspapers, warm clothing, chocolate
and little Injuries OF all sorts. What
delighted the soldiers most was the
anEfNsal ~ VIa saI..a. - A. ..-N