Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-12-07
Nerve centers OF British and Ca
madam Armies Peaceful
Even in Battle.
IS LIKE BUSINESS HOUSE
Function Calmly and Efficiently With
out Turmoil or Slightest Disorder
Young staff Officers Com
plain Because They Must
Stay Out Of the Show.


London. During the past three
years of warfare there have been daily
communications emnnating from "A
mysterious place called general head
quarters whose location or surround
lngs have never been mentioned. In
ract ARE not known 10 the average soi-
der lighting IN france, writes Hal
O'flaherty Ia the New York sun.
To the citizen unacquainted with the
Affairs Of giant armies the mention Of
the term general headquarters brings
up picture Of a building IN the heart
Of the great army activities. with mud
spiattrred couyfcrs dashing up on horse
or cycle aud with sentries pacing 20
and fro armed 10 the teeth while wor-
ricd genere's slt about great tables
within traot1g upon their maps the
various positions Ia the front line.
The fact Of the matter is that Brit.
lsh general headquarters Is perhaps
the most peaceful and orderly place
that one could imagine. The roads APP
preaching the main buildings are not
lined with troops and paraphernalla of
war nor II there any OF the much
taiked.of dramatics OF fighting.
Guards Are unarmed.
IL Is business house, conducted on /
the most advanced systems Of efiicien- |
cy. The traffic coming up to the heart |
OF the gigantic chain OF lighting units
Is regulated by military policemen who
know their business and keep motors
and pedestrians going la the right d.
rcciion.
The soldiers on duty In front OF the
building visited by the correspondent
were unarmed and directed the arriv-
Ing officers Ia a manner as courteous
as that displayed By the commission
alrc at the war Office Ia London. With
Ia there was nothing to Indicate the
presence OF the greatest army chief.
tains. The furnishings were modest,
almost homely, and the atmosphere Of
the whole place was that OF peaceful
and well conducted business establish
ment.
To secure an Interview with one or
The men who conduct the affairs OF the
British armies was simplicity Itself. A
telephone call sufliced 10 tell him OF
bur coming and wc were ushered into
lis office Immediately upon our arrival.
An officer Of the United States army.
sn0wn as "liaison officer had quar-
.ers nearby. he has been working as
hard as ans man OF STAIRS at home
could work and his surroundings
showed ne wasn't In the habit ~ en-
visitors.
take that rocking chair over in the
,orncr." he said as we entered. and one
4 the party went over as directed and
az on the wooden boz that had held
rs typewriter, A wooden table. two
hairs npd rack Tor hooks made up
he furnishings of his Office.
On his table was IA stack OF CORE
ipondence foot high. which II Il could
~ read by the German high command
souid probably give them heart fall.
nv. There was something significant
n that stuck of letters Il was prob
lbiy The first nucleus 81 correspond
nee between the directing officials OF
he American army and the British
lpon whom they are depending for nd /,
doe and Information Some das that 4
title Pile VIII have grown into an en-.
ire library 81 documents that viii Oh
0ng ranks OF nling cases. II Is pio-
leer correspondence under the new
rider OF things between Britain sud i.
hs United States.
The following afternoon brought Us |
y lucky chance 10 Canadian head I
Iunrters where We had the privilege !
Z spending several hours With other
men who are conducting operations n
I was more than lucky chance that 4
'rought us 10 Canadian headquarters r
lmost at the same hour that the Ger