The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-01-25
Most Conspicuous Is The
Red Trousered, French
Infantryman.
look UNIQUE
BROWN RosEo MONKS MlNeLE
WITH THE GAY CARRIED MIL.
lTARY MEN.

- NaE HaT.Hrl WITH H.F Na.aH .HnT EnfaFa.
FURNEs; West Flanders, Jan. 22!--
From the main headquarters Of tho
Belgian army in the Hotel de Vile
here, one gets perhaps the most color.
full glimpse Of the trappings of war
that may be had anywhere among the
Allies. 1t is picturesqueness lack,
ing in khaki.clad England.
In front Of the Hotel. de Vile is the
square where the rulers Of three Of
the allied powers met their generals
several weeks ago. Here the most.
modern war vehicles jostle the primi
tive when the armored car locks
wheels with a empowered mule.
cart Of the French African soldier.
the square is packed with every de.
scription Of conyeyances. Before the
door of headquarters is a line of war
stained automobiles still showing the
traces Of their aristocratic past. In
the middle Of the square motorbusses
converted into kitchen and commits.
sariat wagons are surrounded by d
hungry mob Of soldiers.
The uniforms are bewildering in
their variety. he most conspicuous
is the red.trouserea French infantry.
man. Some French cayalrymen are.
present with their helmets disporting
its long horse tail, but with the bright
metal covered by dull leather. Belgian
guides in their green with red trim:
mings add to the color, while the
quiet note is struck by the Belgian
artillery in American army blue.
But the most picturesque effect Is
provided by the French and Belgian
African troops, many thousands of.
whom have marched through Furnes
recently. Their officers, in high can.
tied saddles, are mounted on beauti.
full horses. They wear long blue, red.
lined capes which float behind them
as they gallop along, with everything
except the background for a desert
picture. Tho soldiers wear a mora
sober colored cape, with . turban like
hood. Their blue 'bolero jackets are
trimmed in gold and they wear baggy
corduroy trousers.
These Africans seem as d~istrustful.
Of their white allies, transport as Of
his food and for hours the little; hood.
ed carts.each drawn by three small
unkept mules threaded their way
through the square. Behind the carts
came trains of pack mules loaded
with ammunition and e%ntrenching
tools. and looking like a p%rospectors
outfit in the Rocky Mountains.
The square is a scene of constant
hustle and activity. Staff officers.
come and go. the Belgian wal minis;
ter rushes in for a few moments con:
ference with the king and his staff,
and away again in his military car.
Cavalry regiments with sleek horses,
resting now after their terrible re-
treat from Antwerp, line up for in.
spection, while a cyclist corps in,
from a scouting foray clean and re:
pair their trenches. Unattached units
play about waiting for orders or food.
Suddenly a pig strays into the square,
and after a race around and under.
meath some armored cars he Is cap
tured and disappears into a house
Just of the square, where some sol:
diers are quartered. He makes his
next appearance at a portable field
kitchen captured from the Germans
and now standing before a ninth cen.
fury church inSwhich a Thousand SOL
diers have slept the night before in
straw covering the stone tagging.
These are the actual fighting men!
on almost constant duty, yet the key;
note Is gaiety.
When a group OF their officers
gather about the dining table in the
quaint old hotel, with the date 1873
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