The Spectator., 1915-02-16

stroy several bridges which were in range of his guns. These bridges per mitted the Germans to move quickly and bring with them their heavy artil- lery.
 Throw Down Guns and Run.
 At the first charge, it is said, the their guns, tore off their haversacks and ran, crying: Save yourselves" The battle line stretched from Ste. Genevieve beyond the Bois de Cham penoux, with the Twentieth corps at the end near Ste. Genevieve, and join German left wing.
 The panic of the French right wing left wide road clear for the Germans directly to the doors of Nancy. But the Twentieth stretched its line to front the three German corps and heroically awaited the charge The Germans advanced after heavy rain of projectiles, and, with crowded ranks, music ahead. charged the thin French line. So -aliantly and deter minedly did the Twentieth hold that the Germans were repulsed with enor- nous losses.
 There was an actual strike in the trenches here recently. All plans had been laid for French attack at two | o'clock. However, the territorials re- fused to march. This sounds like a strong statement. but I have it from the soldiers themselves, and from other sources.
 The Germans are so we'll intrenched 1 that the territorials feel it would be suicide to charge with the bayonet. So , they went on strike until the artillery shall have destroyed the trenches. They say charging trenches is not their wTk; something like asking the cook to make beds when there is also a chambermaid.
 Agree to Shoot Wildly.
 section of the extreme right of the French army of the Woevre, guarding part of the Haupt de Rieupt, was on extremely good terms with the oppos. ing German force. Both Germans and French were territorial troops, com posed of family men. They visited each other often, exchanging wine and cigars, and showing each other DOT traits of their wives and children Finally, they agreed that 1t was fool ish to kill each other and leave their families in misery. So they made a compact to shoot over each others heads when their officers insisted that they fire.
 This condition went on for nearly two months and a half. Meanwhile, unknown to the French territorials the French engineering corps had been digging a mine with which to blow up the German trenches with melinite. At last the French soldiers persuaded the Germans to end the situation by de. serting in body. So one day the Ger mans left their trenches, and, holding white flag in advance, came toward the French lines, expecting to be wei comed by the French territorials But in a house back of the French trenches the French officers saw the movement, and pressed the button which exploded | the melinite in front of the German trenches. There was flash, deafen- ing report. The Germans flew into the air! Few escaped death or serious in jury.
 The French territorials were en. ragged because of the action of their of. ficers, and wept because of this seem ing treachery to their German oppo- nents. I am perfectly satisfied that this is true account. but it must also be kept in mind that it is common belief among French officers that the Germans frequently show the white flag as a ruse. in order to get closer to the French lines.