The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-01-01
FRENCH TRENCHES
READY FOR WINTER
Horror Of Gold Weather at
Front Is LeSSGnGd.
TROOPS ARE WELL PREPARED
Dugouts Have Brick Bottoms and Arc
Well Drained--No More Knee Deep
Icy Water-Paris Has Good Coal
Supply - German Generals Suggest
Christmas Gifts For Soldiers.

Christmas Gifts For Soldiers.
Signs are plentiful that winter IL
close upon the troops In the north OF
France. The nights are cold, and the
characteristic winter night mist from
the marshes is In the air.
1t is evident that there is TO be an
other winter campaign, robbed. how
years ordeal in DOGGY trenches and
along impossible roads. In northern
France, at least winter will find the
rival armies well prepared to receive
1t. The wet mud, the ice cold water,
knee deep in the communication
trenches, the ooze and discomfort OF
the dngouts, will be the exception rath-
er than the rule this year The shell
tiers, even In the advance trenches.
viii generally be fairly liyable, thanks
TO the plentiful use OF concrete and
tar and the sklllful employment OF
drainage.
Moreover, the armies will be prop
erly clad and amply fed. The British
soldiers will again don their sheep
skins, supplemented by ample supplies
OF warm caps, socks and heavy boots
Of rather better type than last years.
Brick Floors In Trenches.
Many of the trenches now have brick
floors, and practically all are drained
and protected against landslide by
timbers.
The great problem OF the winter will
be the billeting OF all the new divisions
which have come out since last year.
In the villages well behind the firing
lines every outbuilding aud old barn
has been requisitioned cleaned. repair
ed and made into shelter against the
wind and cold But nearer the firing
lines most OF the buildings have been
smashed into ruins, ana. although they
were disable for housing purposes dur
ing the summer, they are plainly i'm
possible now. The problem Is being
dealt with 10 some extent BY the build
Ing OF portable houses and huts, but
the armies grow too fast for the car
penters.
The work OF the aeroplane observers
gets more difficult as winter approach
es. The fogs OF the late autumn cling
TO the ground in little patches well
into the day, while the evening mists
make observations Difficult; soon after
midafternoon.
Coal Prices High In Paris.
Paris is I'm no danger OF shiverlng this
winter though II will have TO pay
rather dearly for it's warmth. NJ. Mar
I eel Sembat, minister OF public works.
assures the public that there viii be
plenty OF coal available and supports
his Views with n few conclusive statis-
ties
France consumed G0,O00O00 tons OF
/ coal year before the war; 100000
/ tons OF it came from Great Britain and
I 100000 from Belgium and Germany.
I The latter markets are closed TO her
I now, but her consumption has decreas
/ ed from G0.OO0.O00 10 iOOO0000 tons by
reason OF the German occupation OF
J the industrial regions Of the north ana
/ east Her coal production has dimin
! ished in the same ratio. being 90
( 100000 as against I0,O0OO00 tons so
she has TO depend on Great Britain and
! the United States for the 20,00O0O0 tons
! that she LACKS. The receipts at French
I ports. which we're less han a million
tons 4 month year ago, rose 10 800
600 tons In August. Statistics OF sub
sequent receipts are incomplete but Il
Is thought that they exceed 100000
J tons per month, sufficient 20 meet cur
rent needs and accumulate surplus.
Coal prices have shown no response
| TO the increased receipts. The best
4 qualities are firm at $40 ton delivered
at domicile. while inferior grades and
Industrial coal bring $50 ton. The
city gas company, proflting from these
high prices, has supplanted coal with
gas IN great many families. furnish
Ing the heaters free OF rental
German Christmas Demands.
Fur muffs for soldiers are the latest
recommendation OF the versatile Gen
eral Won Buelow OF the German army.
The recommendation Is made In reply
TO an inquiry addressed TO all the Ger
man army commanders asking for sue-
gesti0ns as to the most appropriate
Christmas gifts for soldiers at the
front. Won Buelow replied that NUTS
would be very useful on the eastern
fronts. TO be used by men ON duty In
the trenches old anu WORKOUT NUTS.
he adds. would he Just aS useful as
brand new ones There must he "A
cord attached he explains $50 that
we can hang the NUTS round orr
\ necks
Mackeusen. FROM Seryla. asks for CO.
Goa. chocolate fat aud butter Gall
witz replies only; ''we don't want any
wool We are richly provided with
that" Admiral Won Rooster urges
against the sending Of spirits or. In
fact. any alcoholic beverages. In fact.
no spirits are asked FOR by any troops
excem the guards regiments. which
want rura. The crown prince suggests
fftrf4f a. t.4s