Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-05-14

have followed out unapprOachable
Quagmires and so entangled the
branches that even in high wind it
would be impossible to pass through
without making noise loud enough
to attract attention.
II was sent for To place several
sentinels there would be all right but,
on the other hand, for these three
deaths we were determined to exact
payment from the slayer, who prob.
ably would not dare attack two or
three men at time.
Refuse to Let Captain Go.
Il listened, then said ! would 60 as
sentinel. Not one Of the men vol
unteered. They looked at one an
other searchingly. 1t was evident
they did not wish me to risk my life.
Finally they must have cast lots.
Chance selected a sergeant He
departed at night had a search.
tight set up; ready to operate, SO that
he should have light and assistance
at tie slightest attack. He surround.
ed himself with wire netting, mount.
ed on small stakes to which bells
we're attached. Our lines were a lit
tie way back of it. This was how he
discovered the 'boche,' who had prob
ably arrived by a fox track, prepar-
ing his way during the day, and,
when all was ready, cutting the
throats of our sentinels.
Next day his cap Eas raff1ed of,
which is never permissible, but there
are times when a rule may be in
fringed. I had the sergeant proposed
for the rank Of adjutant."
The captain was thus conversing
with me in "a cafe when his orderly
entered and asked to speak to him.
Excuse me-" the captain said, after
getting the message, IL have to CO."
AS he departed, his subordinate. q
robust, blue-eyed Breton, whose child
ish figure contrasted with his strong.
almost fierce appearance, exclaimed:
For him we would willingly die. All,
monsieur, the 'boches' may do their
best; they have no chiefs like ours"
AS a matter Of fact, think one
could not have gained better idea
of the best type of French officers
than from this captain, SO full OF en-
ergy and courage, intolerant OF any
serious, breach Of discipline; unforgiv-
ing toward towards certainly, but at
the same time thoroughly understand
ing and ready to excuse certain weak
nesses, and constantly endeavoring
to lessen them by being the friend Of
his men as r'ell as their leader. And
is it not a slight but sure proof Of
his influence that he is dressed as
they are, neglecting the prestige of
his uniform, just as he eats, sleeps
and dirties himself as they do?
: POP Days Without Undressing.
An artillery lieutenant, with whom
l talked, mingled most interesting
speculative reflections with amusing
recollections of his life at the front.
After having explained to me the
difference between percussion shells,
which explode on striking an obstacle,
and. fuse shells, !whiehs burst in the
air at regulated distances, he con.
fessed to me while consulting small
calendar that he. was much pleased
when shower baths were finally in.
stalled near his trench. They were
wonderful " subterranean establish.
ments, he said.
And ] assure you," be added, they
seemed very comfortable, as had
been exactlyai 1opz Gays without un-
dressing once, sleeping always in. the
same barn, In $myf same; hole IN the
hay" ~.s'..''=s y ~ - ;.>i
Dsres TO Criticize the Famous rs.
Suddenly he changed the subject.
And as a variation from the usual
French attitude. he actually criticized
the famous 75-millimeter guns. vs. T..
Much trouble has been taken for
nothing. he. said, The Is. is a good
cannon, but It was created too exclu-
sively for direct firing. In fact, in
this war, where one has to hit men
hidden behind obstacles, 1t is OF little
use. What s needed is a means of
throwing projectiles which, after de.
scribing a widely curved trajectory,
will fall on the heads Of the occupants
Of the trenches, without first striking
the trench walls. s>3@ ia = y" 4
That is why we have bomb slim.
gers, which do not carry farther than
200 or 900 yards at most, and the how
tiers and mortar pieces, which must
not be confused with the cannon. The