Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-02-18
e&'ptR't' e'esh'@'teta'N4s
Curious to See
The Big War
| He Saw More Than lie }
/ Cared to.
BY f. A. mitchell

great European war. l resolved to go
abroad and visit the armies Of both
opposing forces. Fortifying myself
with passport from the state depart
ment at Washington, | sailed for Eng
land on an American steamer. The
change In the conditions from peace to
war were evlden, from the time l
went aboard the ship. Baggage was
searched for explosives, passports were
examined - indeed. every precaution
was used common among peoples who
have thrown Off that confidence in each
other that results from peace.
As soon as our ship reached the zone
that the Germans had proclaimed to
be In state of war the boats were
swung out over the water, Into POSI-
ton to be stepped into from the deck,
an evidence Of the fact that though
we were on an American liner we were
In danger. Then the passengers began
to strap on their life belts, and some
OF them did not again turn In while
we were on the water. Every night an
enormous American flag was hung SO
that Its full length and width would
be displayed, lllumined by rows OF
electric lights. This was to show COM
manders OF submarines our nationality.
Since | had come from home to see
something of war | confess all this IN
terested me, Time came before my
return when | had had quite enough
OF war and was glad to return to a
country where condition OF peace ex-
listed.
Having crossed the channel, l ap-
preached the rear of the English army.
The deadlock In the trenches had by
this time settled down upon all the
armies in France and Belgium. The
great drives of the Germans for Calais
were over, and during good deal Of
the time the men In the trenches were
idle. While visiting the British trenches
a truce occurred between the men Of
both sides. The Germans put up a
sign: Lets have rest today. No
nringr The British assented, and the
men were swapping articles in common
use. This gave me more quiescent
view Of war than when / was In dan |
ger Of being blown up on the ocean. |
As proceeded my own Individual ex |
perience became more and more peace |
full, though was unknowingly In the
greatest danger OF my life.
From visiting the English lines
went TO the French. or course I Wis
tied headquarters showed my pass
ports and asked permission to inspect
the trenches. On my way there I met
a fellow countryman, who told me that
1t would be impossible for me to get q
permit, for he had just been refused
Either an attack was expected or one
was to be made. At any rate, there
was some reason why all permits were
refused However, resolved to try,
and, assuming look Of confidence ]
did not feel, | approached the officer
charged with the granting Of passes
and asked to be permitted to visit the
trenches.
He looked ut me inquiringly, then,
asking me to walt a moment, went
into another ro0m-for the officers were
In house-and upon his return sat
down ut table and wrote me the de
sired permit was very much aston.
lshed However, | gave no sign OF
surprise and after thanking him was
walking out when he said to me:
You will need guide. IL you will
walt moment will provide you with
one"
Calling an orderly. he sent him out,
and the man returned In a few min.
utes with young lieutenant, whom he
introduced TO me. but before sending
me forth under the lieutenant's guild.
ance he tool; him into another room.
visited the trenches nearest head
quarters AMI found u different state Of
affairs from what | had hit upon on
the British line. We were obliged to
descend before reaching those at the
front In order TO avoid being shot.
Every man was on the qui vive, ready
TO put ball into any enemy who
showed even the tip OF finger. When
| had seen all wished TO see l left
the trench and, thanking my conductor,
was about to set or In an opposite
said politely that Colonel Armour, the
officer who had given me my permit,
would like TO see me again. OF course
! returned with him, and when en-
tered the colonel looked up from the
table at which he was writing and
babe me sit In n chair beside him.
"Havo yon visited the other side" he
asked
"What other sidep
'"rhe Germans"
"Not yet, but | expect 10 do so."
LET me see your passport"
He had examined the document
which had shown him when I first
met him. took 1t from my pocket
Ind handed It 10 him. He glanced at
Il and tossed II on the table.
How do you expect 10 get 10 the
)ther slider he asked
by hook or crook" replied, unless
you will have the goodness 10 pass me
through your lines"
lie thought q moment. then said that
ic would have 10 refer the matter TO
me Of higher rank than himself, but
ie thought II possible that I might bo
accommodated But. Of course, the au-
hOrlties must hive confidence that I