Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-03
AMERICANS IN CHARGE
OF REMARKABLE TUNNEL
IN FRONT OF VERDUN

Correspondence OF Associated Press.1
verdun. Sept. 12.-Just west Of here,
in the forest of Argonne. there is
remarkable military tunnel, forty-five
feet underground, running right up to
within 800 yards of the German
trenches. 1t is one of the most hard
pressed points around Verdun. but
thru this tunnel reinforcements move
forward without danger relieving
every two hours the men on the firing
line
There was very American at
mosphere about this tunnel when the
Associated Press correspondent Wis
tied il for the curious fact developed
that the two officers in command were
American residents, one stock-raiser
in Alberta, Canada and the other
bank official of the Franco-American
Bank, at Los Angeles, Cal. Both were
born in France and when the war
broke out left their American business
to come home and fight. And now they
are in full charge Of this underground
highway, leading up to one OF the most
desperate positions along the front.
They are so American that they speak
English instead Of French, and the
commandments headquarters-a little
nest in the clay-has = big picture OF
Uncle Sam hanging on the wall.
Creeping thru this tunnel toward
the front line, the members Of the
visiting party knocked their steel
casques on the roof, and plunged thru
water ankle deep. Paul Cravath. the
New York lawyer, man OF large
build, six feet six inches tall, was bent
double in the struggle thru the tunnel.
Along the way they passed an cleo
trio plant, throbbing with energy, and
pumping the fresh air which keeps the
tunnel habitable Further on. in a
large clay hole, kitchen was in full
operation. with soldiers eating bowls
Of noodles.
Let me introduce You to our chez,
said the commandant. as young
soIdier-cook came forward. He is
now the cook for this tunnel-and he
ought to be a good cook, for before the
war he was chef to the French am
bassador at Rome
Emerging from the tunnel into the
front line French trenches, the Ger
| man trenches were plainly visible on
the crest only 300 yards away. The in
tervening space was swept clear as
though by a cyclone. Instead.aof the
! beautiful green Of the forest, that was
| left at the other end of the tunnel, here
the whole outlook was gray and desc
late: the ground jagged and torn as by
eccentric plows: not vestige of
grass or verdure. and the few gaunt
| trunks of trees stripped OF their last
leaf and looking like so many scare
| crows.
This has been rather quiet day
| only two mine explosions said the
| communicative men injured, one
! in the shoulder, the other in the leg.
J. That il lille, Tor often we i,a.r f"ri-
to sixty men killed or injured in these
mine explosions which go on con-
tinually as the Germans try to mine
under our trenches and we try to mine
\ under theirs"
Even beyond the front line French
| trenches, the French soldiers iiaa
pushed their observation posts into the
fire-swept dividing line. 900 yards
i wide. Some Of these daring men could
kbe seen almost ZIP to the crest where
the German line ran. They were
| crouched behind heaps Of boulders.
rifles ready.
| Those men are only ten yards from
| Inc Germans" said the Commandant.
| AS he spoke. Mr.. cravath, OF New
/ York said:
Il see a German there: he Is on the
] crest: You can sea his nniform with