Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-04
BRITAIN ENLARGES
ARMY IN FRANCE
Improved in Numbers and in
Perfection of Equipment,
''EyeWitness" Says.
ALLEGES REPORTS SHOW
EQUALITY WITH ENEMY
In Some Respects Surpass the Ger
mans in Their Own Method
of Warfare.
Of the Associated Press

OF Warfare.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press
LONDON. April 20,-The British army
in France has increased immensely.
both in numbers and in perfection of
equipment. according to general re-
view of the situation, written by an
eyewitness" attached to headquarters
in France.
After recounting the comparatively
unimportant operations which followed
those described in his report, published
April 20, the eyewitness" says:
Though we have by no means been
inactive, as the fighting the 18th and
18th shows, comparative quiet has now
prevailed along our front for con-
siderable period, and the moment is
therefore opportune for a survey of our
general condition. Firstly, as regards
the material side of the situation, it is
a matter of common knowledge that
our army in France has increased i'm
mensely, both in numbers and in per-
lection of equipments and armament
The fruits of this improvement are now
beginning to be seen
The reports from all parts show that
we are now generally in no way in
ferior, and in many places superior to
the enemy in the very form of warfare
for which we were originally least pre-
pared; that is, in siege operations,
which imply mining, sharpshooting and
the throwing of explosives at short
range.
In this the Germans have until re-
Gently enjoyed great advantage, for
they had ready to hand the necessary
troops, such as numerous units trained
IN mining, the handling of high eX-
plosives and searchlight work. and spe-
cial bodies of sharpshooters provided
with rifles having telescope sights.
Had All Technical Equipment.
They had ready also all the technical
equipment. such as minenwerfer, and
various ballistic engines throwing
every kind of missile, electric and other
light projectors, rockets, flares, incen-
diary shell and pumps for squirting
blazing oil or pitch which were the
periments made in peace in anticipa-
ton of the war, for which they have
for years been making ready. Means
of disseminating poisonous gases are
apparently an afterthought improvised
since the commencement of hostilities.
But even with the aid of these ad-
vantages they have failed to crush the
allies, and the great factor of time has
plies especially to us, and in spite of
our initial handicaps we are now in
many ways beating the Germans at
their own game. At some points we
have obtained the mastery in sniping
TO such an extent that our men are able
to walk about outside their trenches in
comparative safety even within short
range of the hostile line. and gener-
ally we are now in a position to harass
the Germans and give them as little
rest as possible by means of Smelling.
omb-throwing or sniping
AS regards the moral side, con-
seriousness of the general increase in
power and the feeling that we 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 bet
ter than it has ever been. The outcome
of the fight at Neuve Chapelle, again.
as has been pointed out, had most
encouraging effect on the troops, who
are inspired by confidence as to the
accomplishment of the task ahead of
us, however formidable it may be. The
beneficial influence of this offensive
action indeed has been shown Indirect
ly by fact which at first seems to be
totally unconnected with tan i'm
rate took place after the battle, which
is only attributable to the success
gainted.
Among the things contributing to
the general cheerfulness also is the
good news which is continually re-
ceived of the progress of our allies
and the Improvement in the weather
The cumulative effect of all this has
been to inspire our men with a sense
or superiority over the enemy. They
are now animated with only one desire
to get on.
There are also minor and less
obvious factors. beyond the general
sense or growing strength and the con-
seriousness of efficiency derived from
small local successes, which have as
sisted toward building up the condi-
ton OF a healthy mind in healthy
Dody, which is SO marked in the Brit
Ism troops at the present stage of the
campaign Every advantage has been
taken OF adventurous aids to counter
act the depressing influence Of the
monotony and hardship of the trench
warfare through the long-drawn win
.er and to ameliorate the results of
the continuous strain to which all
ranks have been subjected
or these perhaps the provision of the
bathing establishments and rest depots
already described has been the most
important. But the immense value of
any sort of entertaining which can
rhsnge the current of thought and d.
vert the mems minds even temporarily
from their immediate wretched sur
5oundings has played an important
Jart To the end concerts, cinemato-
graph shows, variety entertainments.
boxing and foot ball matches have
been organized wherever circumstances
nave allowed The psychological value
OF music to which allusion has al
ready been made is no new thing It's
enect can at present be witnessed az
tome OF the villages behind our front
sine. where regiinental bands perform.
10 the delight of the inhabitants as
well as of the soldiers, and also on the
roads where the pipes of certain Scotch
territorial units, the penny whistle and
the mouth organ 1nstil fresh life into
tired legs. Some thousands Of the
whistles and mouth organs now have
reached the front and been distributed
Conditions Contrasted.
An account has already been given