Semi-weekly herald., 1915-06-21

fires a tube it is eight feet below the
surface of the water. Scientific ar
enable the tube to be aim
ed with great accuracy. Officers and
men long time on the submarine be-
come demoralized in a nervous tense.
II is said that a man who serves on
such vessel finally loses poise and
balance as regards judgment The
submarine crews doubtless feel the
dangers that surround them and the
responsibility connected with the de-
struction Of life and property. 1t is a
surprise that they are not all luna
tics when their work is considered.
This applies to all the submarines of
whatever nationality.
The Periscope.
Much is heard about the periscope
in connection with the submarine. The
periscope is not new discovery or in
vention, but its application and use
has been increased within the past
year. By use Of the periscope the
commander or pilot of the submarine
can take look over the sea in the
direction of the supposed vessels with
out coming above the water. The
periscope is a simple thing. Take
board six inches wide and two feet
long. Put the glass which is used
! in making mirrors on the outside OF
the top, then run tube down to car
Try the reflection of another piece OF
the same kind Of glass on the inside,
or the side which the holder expects
to use. The upper glass transfers
picture or view to the lower glass.
This is the periscope. | should think
rude sample of the periscope could
| be made for one dollar. But the in
Istrument on submarine is large and
expensive. 1t is protected in some
way from the salt water.
| used the periscope while going
Through the trenches. By its use the
man in the trenches can see what Is
going on in the trenches of the other
army without exposing his head or
leven his hand above the trench.
| Starting an Assault.
| Speaking of trenches, | am remind
ed that the men are heard to say that
there is Fighting from the trenches" !"
! see pictures of the trenches with the
men taking aim over the upper edge.
do not believe there is much of
this. The men in the oposing trench
are all the time watching for heads.
They are familiar with their enemies
movement. The usual plan of begin
ming an engagement is for the artil-
lery on the hills to pour in rain OF
rrrrrvrrft- >rrv--s,-,iil--st --st>~--s.a<lls---th
those of them that survive. This is
| followed by the men of the other
/ trenches coming out, and if this is
continued long enough the general en-
gagement is brought on like the en-
gagement which has been in progress
in northern France near a place cal
Ter Arras. | was through these very
trenches some weeks ago when there
was no battle raging, but the cannon
aiding and the work of the sharpshoot-
ors was in active progress. The French
trenches at that point for several
miles are cut through limestone.
Their depth is sufficient to hid the
tallest man. That is, this is the rule.
Occasionally the trench is not so deep
on account of some natural obstacle.
In the vicinity of Arras the German
and French trenches are not more
than forty feet apart. There is
some barbed wire between them, and
an effort is made almost every night
on the part of one party or the 9TH
err to increase the space covered by
barbed wire. And every night men are
killed by sharpshooters while barbed
wire is being strung.
Tents Not Used.
1t is surprising that the use of tents
is so limited on the part of all the
armies. The armies are in old settled
countries and in every locality build
ings are available and are made use
.of for the temporary shelters of the
soldiers. OF course millions of men
are in the trenches. They live in
them, sleep in them, eat in them.
This is true of all the trenches. The
second line trenches are only reserves
for the first line. They are genrally
removed from the danger. They are
outdoors. They have plenty of room.
Sometimes they have little streams in
which TO wash their clothing. In many
cases they have built their own habi-
tations Of boards of other materials
available. In many cases they tunnel
into the hills and live inside. There
are many stories published about the
palatial style which is possible in some
Of the trenches occupied by officers.
The reader should not take too much