Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-06
| ExPEDIT|ONARY ARMY
INCREASES IMMENSELY
Both in Numbers and Equipment,
British in France Grow Stronger
Rapidly.
ARE EQUAL TO ENEMY NOW
In Many Ways Allies Now Arc Sill
perior to German Forces. Accord
ing to Eyewitness" Who Has Ro-
Z viewed Field in Flanders.

= general review of the situation written
= by an eyewitness attached TO head
Quarters in France.
a. Though we have by 10 means been
Inactive, as the lighting on the 18th
and 18th shows, comparative quiet now
~ has prevailed along our front for a
Y considerable period. and tho moment
S is, therefore, opportune for survey
81 of our general condition" says the ac-
count. Firstly, as regards the ma
NJ terial side OF the situation. II Is Il mat
ss ter of common knowledge that our
3 army in Franco has increased immense
&sly both in numbers and in perfection
OF equipment and armament. The
& fruits OF this Improvement now arc he
ginning to be seen.
I'm NO WAY INFERIOR
TO GERMAN FORCES
The reports from all parts show
that we are generally in way in
ferior, and in many places superior. 10
the enemy in the very form OF warfare
4 for which We were originally least pre-
V pared; that Is, in siege operations.
(which imply mining. sharpshootinG and
i the throwing OF explosives ut short
grange. In this the Germans have until
s. recently enjoyed a great advantage. for
Y they had ready TO hand the necessary
$ troops such as numerous units trained
in mining, the handling OF high eX-
plosives and scarchlEht work, and |
special bodies OF sharpshooters pro
vided with rifles having telescope |
!, sights. They have ready also, all the |
s3technical equipment, such as mnen- |
werfer, ballistic engines. electric and |
q other light projectors, rockets. flares,
5incendiary shell and pumps for squirt
ing biaznE oil or pitch, which were
IgSthe outcome of elaborate experiments
sin anticipation OF the war for which
= they have for years been making |
#s.rcady. Means OF disseminating poison |
Il Gus gases are apparently an after
d thought.
~ But even with these advantages, |
&.they have failed TO crush tho allies, |
I and the great factor OF time has been
81 on the side of the latter. At some
points we have obtained the mastery
Gin sniping 10 such an extent that our
men able TO walk about outside
their trenches in comparative safety, !
4 even within short range Of the hostile
b line. and generally we are in posi-
n ton TO harass the Germans and give
them as little rest possible by means
3Sof Smelling, bomb throwing or sniping.
|. ALLIED ARMY GROWING
STRONGER EVERY DAY
seriousness that are growing
stronger every day, while the Germans
\ are becoming less strong, is the chief |
factor responsible for the undoubtedly |
excellent state of the spirit OF our |
forces, which is even better than il |
has ever been. Ncuvc Chapclle again |
had most encouraging effect on the |
troops. An Immediate and marked |
drop in the sick rate took place after
the battle. which is only attributable
10 the success gained
Amongst other things contributing |
10 the general cheerfulncss also is the
good news OF the progress of our al
lies and the Improvement in tho
weather. The cumulative effect OF all |
+ this has been 70 inspire our men with
a sense of superiority over tho enemy |
They now are animated with only one
& desire-to get on
Every advantage has been taken OF
Z adventurous aids TO counteract the de-
pressing influence OF the monotonv OF
hardship OF the trench warfare through
the longdrawn Writer. sCf these. per
haps the provision OF bathing cstab-
i!shments and rest dcpots has been the
most important. ANY sort OF enter
,ainment which can change the cur
rent of thought and diver, the mems
minds. even temporarily. from their
immediate wretChcd SURROUNDINGS has
played an important part. Concerts
cinematograph rshows, variety enter
--tainments. boxing and football matches
4 have been organized wherever c!rcuin
stances have allowed. The psychology
s ical value of music can at present be
witnessed at some of the village, be-
mind our front lines. where ree!inental
+ bands perform, to the delight of the
Z N a IN N of
and on the roads. where the pipes OF
l5 Scotch units, the penny whistle and
1.-the mouth organ instill fresh life into
s.fNFed legs. Some thousands or tho
eswhistles and mouth organs now have
8reached the front and been distributed
Z 5INTEREsTING CONTRASTS
IN RATTLE COUNTRY
IAN account already has been given
Sc Of the British front. but stronger ana
& perhaps more interesting contrasts arc
H present in the area north OF US near
Issthe coast. This country is of three
q Kinds. There is the district iu,ncdi-
b ately north Of Yprcs, then the inundated
n. region extending to Newport and
& finally the belt of sand dunes close 10
Il the sea. The Hooded area varies II,
width, but is In general some two ana
"a half to three miles across. eXcep, in
the neghborhood OF Dixmudc. now hcld
i4by the Germans. South of II. the Bel
W. CLAN line runs along the canuli2ed por-
rs tion of the river; to the north J. fol-
lows the line of the railway TO Efeu-
port.
when the story OF the past few
SsFamonths is recalled, and The actual sit.
Mutation of the Belgian nation is borne
Win mind. the aspect Of this part Of the
\ line is strangely impressive. Here in
astits intrcnchmcnts, looking out over q
IeS country once the richest soil in Fland-
ers. but now surrendered to the sea. is
'Ssss the Belgian army, sim unvanquisned
after eight months Of war. Behind it
BIS atrctches only narrow strip some ton
in extent, OF Belgian soil Ief,
EiSto defend and even in that strip there
-f1.I ,,il