East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-01-06
BY wILIIAM PHILIP sIMMs.

BY WILLIAM RhlLlf SlMMS-
UNITED Press staff Correspondent
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY AT
THE FRONT, Nov. 2s.-((By Mai
10 New York)--At places, here in the
Argonnes. the French and German
trenches are so close together that in
the weeks the two armies have been
thus face to face the soldiers are aft
er a fashion. acquainted with each
other.
Here. the fighting has become sys-
tematized and follows a routine. AT
certain sections Of the trenches the
French and Germans have reached
an agreement that before a certain
hour in the morning there is to be
no killing; in the opposing trenches
the men are to be allowed 10 wash
M and make their toilet for the day.
After the gong taps. figuratively
speaking. and any head showing above
the level OF the ground gets promptly
taken off.
Rock battles often take place be-
tween the opposing sides. The men
grow tired Of having nothing to shoot
AZ for hours at a time and in order
,o amuse themselves thev lombard
each other without the thrower ex-
posing his person to the bullets OF
the enemy.
The old fashioned hand grenades
have come back into style with TINS
close trench fighting. the Germans
using them frequently. They steai
nm TO the trenches in the night or
through the heavy fog now OF almost
daily occurrence in this region, ana
let 20 into the midst Of a crowd OF
men.
At times the enemies, however De-
come almost friendly.
"Say. over there." a German shout
ed from his trench. Have you guys
got anything 10 smoker"
"sure," the chorus came back from
the French. Have your
mot a crumb"
"Too bad. You ought to write the
kaiser"
Gimme the makin's.
"Come and get 'em."
A giant Of young fellow stuck his
head and shoulders above the ground,
placed his hands on the edge OF the
trench and vaulted out on the side
towards the French. A month old
flaxen beard stood out about a very
round face. Mud covered his former
~ grayish blush greenish uniform.
A little roun. visorless fatigue cap
made him look like a young Santa
Claus. STOPPING. he ran swiftly across
the highway which separated the
trenches at this point and, falling
flat on his stomach, peered down in
10 the enemy's trench.
where's them cigars?" he de-
manded
Here they are" a Frenchman re-
piled. you deserve them. Six, and
they're worth a louis apiece"
"Merci"' said the German as he
scurried back 10 his burrow.
"Say," this same German shouted
between puffs. "these cigars are great.
Real imported hemp"
A rock the size OF a mans fis,
was the reply to this sally.
hey you fItnCHtIss the tiAhoH
kept on, you're a pretty decent lot.
I'm going TO give you a present too.
VIII you shoot me II come over
again."
I'VE will that--after what you said
about the cigars.
Once more the numbering giant
oaptapulted out OF his trench and
ran low over 20 the French. dropping
on his stomach as before. In his
hand was an object, dark green,
one. With tin foil around the neck
md the words "Gout American" on
a slip Of paper across the sloping
shoulder. IT was a bottle OF cham
payne swiped while the Germans
were In Rheims.
Here's your health. fellows" the
German said. Drink hearty. And
hack he ran.
Hey" the Frenchmen shouted