Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-06
+. Ia. the. shopping district.
SCENES ALONG FIRING LINES
Frederick Palmer Writes of Visit to
Camp of East Indian Troops
in France.
BRITONs FROM EVERYWHERE

NEW YORK, March 6.-Frederick Pal
mer. who is at the front I'm France for
the Associated Press. sends the following:
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN
FRANCE, March 5.-CVia London)-The
picturesoueness of the Indian troops or
the British empire breaks the monotony
of the GRIM colorless business OF modern
war at the British front The little mule
cars of these soldiers move about among
the powerful motor trucks from England.
II was first feared that the Indians
might not stand shell fire we'll, but they
became used to II and now they are even
cuntemptuous of it. Accustomed to hot
and dry climate the chill and rainy
weather and the mlry mud of Northern
Franco has been their worst enemy.
When the sun shines smile spreads
over the whole Indian force Thanks to
many layers of warm clothes and careful
attention, the sick report of the Indian
troops Is normal.
Ali the food of these men has to be
brought from India. Speaking no word
OF English, these dusky strangers have
como from the other side OF the world
TO fight in France for Great Britain.
Billeted in barns with thick layers Of
straw for their beds, each race cooking
its food to its taste and according to its
caste customs they Storm separate
world OF never ceasing wonder to the
French inhabitants. This morning there
was seen 5000 cavalry riding by on a
muddy road with background of fiat
and misty landscape with all the preci-
sion they would show at a royal review.
Occasionally among the dusky faces
under the turbans there were the white
countenances OF the English officers. who
had trained these varied tribes and who
have stood with them in the trenches IN
icy water up to their waists against the
enemy.
Flights Rt SeventY-TwO.
Sir Pertab Singh. 70 years old. rode
at the head Of his regiment.
They told me 1 was too old" he said.
but replied. If you will not let me
fight in France will go to Afghanis-
tan and fight there. I don't mean to die
in my bed and cannot live much longer
So they let me come"
Although all the cavalry is fighting as
infantry in the, trenches, cavalry officers
keep up their cavalry drills and the
horses are in condition. This is because
there may be chance for the cavalry
when the expected German break comes.
Everybody on the line speaks of the
Germans going back as II this was as
certain as the coming of spring.
One of the British officers with whom
the newspaper correspondents watched
the Indian troops ride past. made the re-
mark; 1.-THE Canadians in their trenches
are now doing WELL"
Tho driver OF the motor car in which
the correspondents were conveyed to the
front revealed his Americanism by the
use of New York slang He had had
sixteen taxicabs running in New York.
but he came over, as the English say,
ito do his bit"
BrttOns from Everywhere
One meets here Englishmen, Irishmen
and Scotchmen from every part OF the
world ready to serve in any mental
capacity in order TO help. Now you
take this message to'all my Irish friends
In America for me-" said an elderly Irish
medical Officar chaYpo oF n ka.rts.I