The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-14

through their use II is now known 10
be possible to defend the front line po-
StionS with smaller bodies of men than
were considered necessary during the
earlier years Of the war thus consider
ably reducing the strain of the indiyid-
ual soldier.
The chief new instrument OF warfare
developed during the present war is the
alrplane. As previously explained, it is
used tor scouting, directing gunfire. and
dropping bombs The scouting machine
is usually equipped with large camera
which takes series OF pictures When
these pictures are developed and com
pared day by day they give invaluable
information as to the exact location OF
troops, guns and supplies The scouting
and bombing machines are usually pro-
tccted by swift fighting machines. Air
planes have also been used at times 10
| descend close to the ground and fire
from a machine gun upon bodies of
! troops.
| Another very interesting and promis-
ing device is the "tank"--a heavily ar
mored machine so constructed tina, it
can advance under its own power over
almost any obstacles, and thus lead an
attack on enemy trenches. II is armed
with machine guns Armorcd motor
cars have also been used effectively I'M.
der some conditions.
In the front line trenches men are of
ten armed not only with rifle and bayo-
net, but also with bombs which can be
thrown by hand or by machine. Some
OF them are no larger than an ordinary
lemon. Many men become extraordina
rlly expert in throwing these small
bombs into enemy trenches. They even
become expert in picking up enemy
bombs before they explode and throw
ing them back
Another weapon Of the trenches intro
! duced by the Germans, IN spite of in
tefnatlonal agreements to the contrary
IS poisonous gas. This was at first
very effective, since no defense against
II had been prepared. Al the present
time, however. each man in or near the
front carries a gas mask. which enables
Inn TO meet an attack OF this kind with
out serious injury.
Back oi the lines the organization OF
the staff branches OF the service has
been enormously extended. Railroads
are constructed up to within shor,
distance ot the front Transport OF sup
plies 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 4
very large percentage recover Even il
the carly months Of the war il was an.
nomccd that oi the wounded actually
treated IN French hospitals S4S pcrccn,
were returned 10 duty within Shor,
time AS percent were sent home &c
complete their recovery and later re
turned to duty, II percent at the time OF
making the report were still in hoSpi,
tails, with the probability OF complct,
b recovery, is percent were unfit ior fur
ther service; IS percent had died from
the effects oi their wounds.
? There is probably little basis FOR tn,
idea that tile number ot casualties If
: this war is any greater, in proportion I,
, the number OF men engaged, than "
previous wars In the French arm,
; during the last SIX months oi l9l,
/ (Which included three big oitenSives
the total losses IN killed, wounded anC
/ prisoners, are officially reported to hav,
2 been only l2S percent OF the frencl
forces under arms
One oi the striking features Of N,
war i, the proof that has been given o
7 courage and devotion to duty OH IN,
part ot men ui all nations. As soldier
, We must honor and strive To rmulat,
Nh, hrru,, bravery oi those who AT,
~ fighting the battle Tor democracy an,
q freedom As soldiers We must rc,ognil,
r also the skill and courage oi the enemy
Z even though they are shown m bat
1 cause Nothing is gained by bcllttlnl
S the enemy II is our place rather I,
A see to It that We develop among our
, selves still higher degree ot the in
tclhgencc spirit tcnacly and self
: reliance which alone can win victories
The war m Europe VA, brought ior,l
changes and improvements. such a
those Just described, tu which the sol
dlcts ot the national arm, must pm,kl
adjust themselves, hut n ha, no
changed m the least the quaitc, %
body mind and heart, which m the Ion,
lrun are always the greatest ui all Tao
tors m warfare.