Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-22
OFFICERS DIARY
TELLS HARDSH|P'S
One of Won Kluck's Staff Kept
Record of Days Before Bat
tie of the Marine.
MUCH DRINKING IN ARMY
Soldiers Expected to March Into
Paris Singing and
Carousing.

the beginning, attached to the staff of
General Won Kluck. and is now Il
prisoner of war in France. has shown
to Georges lie Hir. the French writer,
his diary. in which he has recorded his
impressions OF the critical days which
preceded the great battle OF the Marine,
when tho fortunes of war turned
against Germany.
Some of these notes throw interest
ing light on the feelings of the officers
In the Kaisers armies at time when
the cup of victory was snatched from
tries:
September .. 1914-Since, the fights
on the frontier our army has not done
much fighting. The French troops arc
soldiers have reached the end of their
strength. For four days in succession
they have marched forty kilometers a.
day. They totter along, barely ablo
to keep OH their feet; their faces arc
grimy with dust, their uniforms are
In tatters. They march with closed
eyes, singing IN chorus so as not to
fall asleep while marching. The GER
tainty of speedy victory and a glorious
entry into Paris keeps up their nerve
and whip their, enthusiasm. Without
this absolute faith in victory they
would drop exhausted, to fall asleep,
no matter where or how long.
''lt Is the dclirium OF victory which
upholds our soldiers, and to intoxicate
their bodies to keep step with their
mental intoNication they drink heavily,
but their intoNication only helps to
keep them OH their feet.
FEAR 10 ISSUE
TOO STRICT ORDERS
1.-THE general was furious at the in
spection to-day. He wanted to put an
ness. We had some trouble in prevents
ing him from issuing too strict orders
We dare not be too strict. or the army
will refuse to march. During this
state of abnormal exhaustion stiulu-
lants are necessary. Once in Paris we
can remedy this. We can forbid them
to drink intoXicants there. When our
troops are resting OH their laurels dis
cipline will return.
September 3.-Thc main body of the
army is at present encamped in the
forest of IGrmenonvillc. We are going
towards Betz. We are leaving Paris
OIL our right to concentrate in the
southeast. opposite the remnants Of tho
Franco British armies, vainly trying. to-
join forces on the fields of the Marine.
Our soldiers have no iden we are
temporarily abandoning the road to-
wards Paris. They are so sure of being
ut the gates OF Paris tomorrow that.
1t would be cruel to tell them the truth.
They would lose all courage. They
think that the time OF lighting is over.
that the decimated French army Is hid-
ing, and that we are going to march
into Paris singing and drinking.
II have taken n ride in n motor round
the forest. 1t Is a gloomy sight; the
French guns have torn bloody gaps in
our ranks. The roads are heaped with
dead bodies.
September THE hattie of the
Marine has actually begun and the
French troops seem eager. The fight
Ing is very bitter OH both sides. All
day l have received news OF what is .
happening hour by hour. Near Etre- !,
pilly the lighting is awful Our troops
are holding the heights. but the French
are like demons; they charge regard
less OF machine guns and seem eager
TO be killed. l am afraid that their
caserness bodies 10 good for u.s.
AUTO DASHES OVER
MANY DEAD BODIES
To-night I rode over part of tho
battle field in IL motor, as ] had to
carry most important order to Etrc-
pilly. The French artillery had shelled,
the road. which now was paved with
bodies. Heaps of them were lying In
the bitches on either side. One motor
ran as though it were crossing II heavy
Oriental carpet. We were In n hurry
and could not help riding over the dead
bodies. The feeling of the wheels
burying themselves in human flesh and
the horrible stencil OF burning bodies
for there are so many dead that we
have to burn them in the open--what
an atrocious nightmare!
September S-The courage Of the
French is superhuman and, as il by
magic. new bodies of troops appear
from every side. General Won Kluck
has inspected the posts. 1 met him.
His eyes. usually so brilliant, were now
dull, and he whose voice was always
full of energy spoke in subdued tones.
He is absolutely crushed.
Our scouts have discovered the pres
ence of strong fresh French forces.
The fighting to-day has been dreadful
for us, and all our armies. from tho
Marine 10 Alsace, are under almost UNI
hearable pressure. AS for ourselves,
we are in danger of being outhanked.
We must ward OF this danger. no mat
ter ut what cost, even IL we have to
retreat.
"U.ater)-A retreat has been or
dered for tonight. What calamity!
All our soldiers have dreamed the same
dream OF victory. 1t is of no use to 4
tell them that this retreat is only toni
porary; their. disappointment la too
great. The retreat is being organizes.
at Lily. IL you may call this hurried
flight a retreat"