The Cordova daily times., 1916-08-19
NEW VIEWPOINT CASUALTIES
 IN WAR

LONDON, Aug. IS. -- To the civil. ian who notes the figures In the casu- alty lists issued every twenty-four hours, and sees fresh conveys of wounded arriving daily at the big Lon don railway stations, it seems that England is paying terrible and ghast. 1 iy price for whatever she is gaining by the "big push"
 On that point the opinions of the | fighting men themselves are of in. | terest, especially of leaders who are | habituated to a somtwhat larger pur- view than is possible in the ranks. | Chance afforded London reporter an opportunity to obtain the views of two such on the question af casu- ! alties. It was when a hospital ship laden with wounded reached the land ing stage at Southampton, and he was
 
 What do you think of the British | casualties?" he asked the wounded second in command of a battalion which played its part at Fricourt, Mon. | tauben and Bazentin. He was sitting with another officer, the adjutant of a | battalion which fought It's way through La Boiselle to Contamination. Both were walking cases;" one with der and arm, the other with bomb splinters in his left side. One had the experience of LOos for a stand ard of comparison; the other, the ad- jutant. has been at the front since the early days of 1915.
 Well. there's good many of them, of course. Seeing the whole lot in a narrow funnel as you do here. 1t must seem tremendous. There are a good many. of course You cant move hand or foot on the western front without casualties. But I'm bound to say it wasn't the number. but the fewness of them that i'm pressed me out there mean, of course, for the fire we've had to face What do you think?"
 He turned to the adjutant.
 T think the proportion of casual ties is pretty much the same as it's been in all offensive on this front: but the balance will prove totally diff ferent. This war is just buying and selling; fifty thousand pounds is a lump of money to spend; but in busi- laying out of fifty thousand, If they see a good and safe return for 1t. It's always good investment. if you can buy sixty or seventy or a hundred thousand for 1t, isn't it?"
 The major of the other battalion nodded. and said: Perhaps you've heard of those documents, or some of them. found on different prisoners. sent by German companies in the line to their different headquarters in the rear; begging for endorsements. Company reduced to nine men and one officer; battalion reduced to twen- ty men and three officers, and that sort of thing That's worth paying for, you know; and what's more. 1t can't possibly be got without paying. The whole thing is very different from infinitely better run for our money.
 We are gaining in ground; but that's small thing to the enormous gain in man power and morale You take 1t from me, our new armies can stand a lot of this; a deuced sight more of it than Germany could pos. sibly stand. Our chaps are in bet, ter heart today than they've even been since 1914.
 Tn the early days 1t was a case of pitting flesh and blood against metal, The Germans had the overwhelming advantage of us at every turn. and in every mortal way; except in the spirit l of his men. He never could beat us at that. But in numbers. In prepara' ton, and above all. in guns and mu nitions; 1t was heads you win and tails