The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1915-06-19
TELLS OF VISIT
TO UNDERSTAND
NORTHERN FRANCE, May 81. =

NORTHERN FRANCE, May II.
To the seeker after sensations is COM
mended a luncheon at the German
front, in an understand" or protect
ed underground cave house occupied
by some officer in the immediate
neighborhood of a battery of heavy
artillery.
Let him preferably come directly to
the cave from the fnont trenches at
a time when the firing has been
heavy, and where he has been able
to see rows upon rows of dead he
tween the German and French lines;
and where also he has been given a
glimpse of real warfare and some of
it's hardships, and if possible let him
choose the colonel's wedding ami
versary for the day of his visit, for
then there will be, out of the veritable
wilderness, champagne in honor of
the occasion and perhaps L lively pi-
ano to offset the shrieking IF the
shells as they tea overhead.
This opportunity to MAKE Il study
in contrasts was afforded an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent Oh Il re-
cent tour of northern France. The
morning had been devoted to inspec-
ing the remarkable trenches that
form a veritable underground city,
with houses that have all the COM
forts of home.' Overhead the Ger
man shells shrieked continuously,
and their devastating effect could be
seen in part by circumspect glimpses
over the top of the trenches.
The way led by the Bavarian col
onel was through the winding, twist
ing, seemingly interminable "Laut-
graben" or connecting trenches, and
led out suddenly into a little wooded
clump, less than a thousand yards
from the French trenches and not
twice that from their batteries. Just
behind the trees was a German bat
terry that one could hear but not see.
With a twinkle in his eye, the Ba-
varian colonel turned sharply to the
right, down a neat and well-built
pair of steps and along a path flank
ed by flowers. The path led into a
spacious room, the ceiling of which
was about on a level with the ground,
perhaps a little lower.
At the entrance stood a mahCgany
piano. Comfortable chairs stood
about. On one wall Was a book
case, and on another a big map with
the German lines indicated by little
flags. In the center was a long ia
BILE, with spotless linen and s'eam-
ing white china. A vase OF flowers
added the final touch.
Smiling, the colonel took his place
at the head of the festive board, in
vited the correspondent to a e a at
his side, and waved to his accompany
ing officers to take their seats. He
admitted, a little diffidently, that 1t
was his wedding anniversary and
His officers weer in the midst OF
congratulations when bling, went
one of the guns in the battery just tn
the rear, and the shell could be
plainly heard as it tore over the roof
of the little dwelling, so incongrous
in the midst of all the evidences OF
active warfare.
For reply one of the m%usically tai
ented officers jumped up and ran
to the piano and struck up the we'd
ding march. It's strains doomed out
in the little room and were drowned
for a second as another - boom -
sounded from the battery.
Az -, hSr n,try port1d
have been more ta%stefully arrang-
ed-nor could have tasted n half
so good. From some mysterius re-
cess a servant-summoned by an i'm
provised electric bell = drew forth
red and white wine and then cham
payne. The colonel apologized for
the shortage of glasses, only n
apiece, and that champagne was to
be drank from a claret glass rinsed
out with spring water after serving
it's first purpose.
To the tune of booming cannon and
shrieking shells the health of the
colonel and hat of his wife were
drank in ice-cold champagne that
tasted fully 100 per e better than
it would have tasted if served from
a silver cooler. The colonel respond
ed with graceful words regarding the
American press. TIL luncheon was
over, to the regret of everyone.
A boarded up entrance to what APP
peared to be a closet or chest caught
the eye of the correspondent.
Chat" explained the colonel, sis
the entrance to another room. a deep
er me-. We have to get down there
when the French begin using their
heavy guns against us. This room is