Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-18

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fore infantry can advance directly
against them. There has been also
great increase during the present
war in the use of barbed wire in
front of the trenches as a means OF
defense. Similar devices have been
used in entrenched positions for
many years, but never on so large a
scale. Through their use it is now
known to be possible to defend the
front line positions with smaller
bodies of men than were considered
necessary during the earlier years
of the war, thus considerably reduc-
ing the strain on the Individual SOL
dier.
Development of Airplanes
The chief new instrument of war
fare developed during the present
war is the airplane. AS previously
explained, 1t is used in scouting, di-
resting gunfire, and dropping bombs
The scouting machine Is usually
equipped with a large camera which
takes a series of pictures. When
these pictures are developed and
compared day by day they give in
valuable information as to the exact
location of troops, guns and supplies.
The scouting and bombing machines
are usually protected by swift fight
ing machines. Airp1anes have also
been used at times to descend close
to the ground and fire from a ma
chine gun upon bodies of troops.
Another very interesting and
promising device is the 'tank"-a
heavily armed machine so construct
ed that it can advance under it's own
power over almost any obstacles, and
thus lead an attack on enemy trench
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Armored motorcars have also been
used effectively under some condi-
tions.
In the front line trenches men are
often armed not only with rifle and
bayonet, but also with bombs which
can be thrown by hand or by ma
chine. Some of them are no larger
than an ordinary lemon. Many men
become extraordinarily expert in
throwing these small bombs into
enemy trenches. They even become
expert in picking up enemy bombs
before they explode and throwing
them back.
Another keapon of the trenches
introduced by the Germans. in spite
of international agreements to the
contrary, is poisonous gas. This was
at first very effective since no de-
fense against it had been prepared.
At the present time, however, each
man in or near the front carries a
gas mask, which enables him to
meet an attack of this kind without
serious injury.
Wonderful Staff Organizations
Back of the lines the organization
of the staff branches of the service
has been enormously extended. Rail-
roads are constructed up to within Il
short distance of the front. Trans
port of supplies and ammunition by
motor trucks has been organized on
a big scale. The medical departments
have also made notable gains in
methods of treating wounded men,
with the result that a very large
percentage recover. Even in the
early months of the war it was an
nounced that of the wounded ac-
tually treated in French hospitals,
54.5 per cent. were returned to duty
within short time; 245 per cent.
We're sent home to complete their
recovery and later returned to duty J..
II per cent. at the time of making
the report were still in hospitals,
with the probability of complete re-
covery; Is per cent were unfit for
further service; 2.5 per cent. mad
died from the effects of their
wounds.
There is probably little basis for
the idea that the number of casuali-
ties in this war is any greater, in
proportion to the number of men
engaged, than in previous wars. In
the French army during the last six
months of 1916 (Which included
three big offensives) the total losses
in killed, wounded and prisoners,
are officially reported to have been
only 1928 per cent. of the French
forces under arms.
One of the striking features of the
war is the proof that has been given
of courage and devotion to duty on
the part of men of all nations. AS
soldiers we must honor and strive to
emulate the heroic bravery of those
who are fighting the battle for demo-
cracy and freedom. AS soldiers we
must recognize also the skill and
courage of the enemy, even though
they are shown in bad cause. Moth
ing is gained by belittling the enemy.
1t is our place rather to see to it that
we develop among ourselves a still
higher degree of the intelligence,
spirit, tenacity and selfreliauce
which alone can win victories.
The war in Europe has brought
forth changes and Improvements,
such as those just described, to which
the soldiers of the National Army
must quickly adjust themselves; but
IL has not changed in the least the
qualities of body, mind and heart,
which in the long run are always
the greatest of all factors in war
farn