Oxford Democrat., 1916-01-11
Reporting
A Battle
An Experience Of a News
paper Correspondent

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"Kitson," said the editor In chief to
me when the pan-E European war broke
out, "you must go to Europe at once to
report the big fight that's on. Take
the first steamer that sails, and don't
fail. for 1t may be the last. The ships
by which you must cross the ocean
fy either the British or the German
flag, and the cruisers Of each will be
trying to capture the others vessels"
(Which army shall accompany
"Any army. Go where there Is the
severest fighting"
NV chiefs surynise that the ship on
which 1 sailed might be the last prov
ed correct. At any rate, it was the
last for awhile. I reached England
when the Germans were attacking
Liege and asked for permission to &c
over with the British troops that were
being sent across the channel. I was
refused. No newspaper correspond
ents were to be allowed with the army
I lost some time trying to convince the
war Office that the world was hungry
for news Of the fighting, but made nc
impression. l crossed the channel as
soon as could find boat to take me
and reached France ut time when
the Germans were sweeping south
ward toward Paris.
How I got to the scene Of the fight
ing 1 wouldn't like to say. l went by
motorcar till the Germans took II
away from me, then bought horse
cheap. The owner expected hourly
sorc cavalryman would take it with
out paying for 1t, and when the animal
was taken from me on the same terms
I walked.
The great scene Of my life was one
morning when l reached an elevated
point where I could look down on the
battle raging between two lines, each
so long. that, though was raised sew
eral hundred feet above them, could
not see either end Of either army
Near by the thunder Of heavy ord
nance, the b-r-r-r-r-r of machine guns
the rattle of rifle firing, sounded like
a storm. while on either side the
sounds grew fainter and fainter In the
distance, like rolling thunder dying
away. Directly beneath me was bat
terry Of large cannon screened from the
enemy by q thicket. On knoll slight
ly In advance Of 1t stood an officer with
a telephone receiver to his ear and
a transmitter at his lips, giving the
gunner the range. They were firing
beyond the point they intended tc
hit, and he was doubtless giving them
orders to reduce the distance, for
noticed that with every shot theil
shells exploded nearer to the French
lines till at last they burst In q field
where infantry were standing under
arms and the shrapnel scattered among
them caused frightful gaps in their
ranks.
Above aeroplanes were moving hith
er and thither. some darting away tc
the east, some to the west and some
coming from both east and west
Doubtless those moving on long dis
tances were carrying news Of the bat
tie on the wings to the commander In
chief in the center.
At that time the Germans were en-
tering French territory and soon began
their rapid movement toward Paris
Before nightfall the roar Of battle
had been moved 50 far southwark that
it now sounded like the mutterings OF
storm that had passed. My work
consisted of seeing the fighting, report
Ing it and sending my communica'
tions to my paper. So ! remained be-
hind to attend to the last two parts OF
my duties. About sunset, seeing be.
meath and In advance Of me hamlet
or, rather. the ruins Of hamlet, one
house of which seemed to have been
h,,t ,ktlo dop,o1od daccopdod from