The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-12
oFricEns AND MEN At HEAD.
ouAHTgRe Ans ALL IN An
EQUAL FOOTING.
Serrsspsstsnt vissssns the Quarters
10 obswn Evsry csnsissrstien-An
Intimate story From the Frent.
~ RooERT n. MCCORMICK.
Especial Correspondent Of The In
tsiIiosneerl.

Written ~ British Headquarter. IN
france. March Ill called NJ tn.
homo Of the commandsr-in-chief at
the fashionable hour OF 3 and pre-
scented my card IL was taken from
me. ! should say taken away from
me. by m austere man whom my
large experience OF soldering. gained
from historical novels and the Opera.
told me was q major general at least.
The martinez. piercing my paltry dis
Euise. Immediately recognized me for
journalist and passed me on TO a
more approacbable soldier, a colonel.
O. d. c. 10 the field marshal
This entirely charming man who
became my guardian angel during my
stay with the British and my guard
ian when ] yielded to Reiliy's fnsis-
tencs and tried TO get into the firing
line. took my letter OF introduction
20 the commander-in-chief. brought
back his Invitation TO dinner the fol
lowing evening. and insisted ON ac-
eompenying me to my hotel to see
that I was comfortable.
After that night he obtained for
me . billet at the home of Dr. Z.
Pouiain- Throughout my stay this
good physician acted rs though my
visit was the pleasure OF HIS life.
In payment ] was only able to verify
the truth OF the condition OF the Ho-
tel de Vile AT Arrss as shown in a
Paris paper. He who lived 30 near
the battle front had seen nothing OF
81.
During my stay with the British I
was treated as guest and was
unable TO enter an item to my ex-
pense account. though Reilly. who is
determined man. succeeded in paw
Ing for little refreshment. Just be-
fore our departure
The officers are divided among
"messes. upon what plant I do not
know. but generals are found at the
same table as subalterns 1.-THE Eng
lish for lieutenant).
There is no distinction in rank in
the manner of one officer toward an
other at table. except such difference
as youth pays to maturity in civil
life. On the contrary. when on duty.
the subordinate IL as punctIlllous to
MS superior as a broker 10 a million
aire.
In conversation. I noticed that the
ciyilion title took precedence over
military rank. For instance. the
chief Is called "Sir John" not "Gener-
al French" At the same time I
thought I noticed that titled officers
were even more respectful in manner
to their military superiors than were
other Officers OF the same rank.
The days OF my stay were spent go
Ing over the British lines After din.
ner my hosts had work 10 do and
wandered around the old town. The
streets were thronged with the young
or or the soldiers moving around in
groups like schoolboys At many
street corners were wagons similar to
our dog gawons and popcorn wagons
selling. above all things-Saratoga
chips, u.s..
The English soldiers in France are
the most led men in the world. but
these soldiers were at the age when
there Is always room for more. The
Saratoga chips business throve.
The men we're cheerful but not
noisy. Once only did I see an officer
Interfere. That was when four or
hve youngsters were appa rentIy in.
dulging in walking race on a princi-
pal street. The officer was wise TO
consider the residents. but they. am
sure. were ready to allow for the ex-
uberance OF youth.
Their own boys were also out sol.
diering somewhere.
'Bonne Chance" 10 the boys OF the
allies.
] look for the relations between sol.
uiers and natives and | find-none.
The soldiers flock together.
The citizens minister to their needs
quietly and we're well paid.
Tommy does not walk out with
Marie
The English are among them as a
matter OF fact-the fact OF war. There