Evening star., 1917-10-30
ny JuNIUs b. WOOD.
leSram to Tho Evening star ,o,- -

EableSram to Tho Evening St
chicago Daily News. Copyrisn'' io
MEXICAN FIELD HEADoUAR-
rrRs IN FRANCE, October 27 (de-
layed).-Entry Of American troops ihto
the hrst-line battle trenches was oe-
void Of pomp and ceremony ana con-
ducted with machinelike precision
but the days events, from the tinle
xed-haired gunner sent the first shell
whistling toward the Germans until
The last infantryman marched away IN
tho darkness, formed a thrilling pano-
rama OF unforgettable impressions.
Eight newspaper correspondents were
the only witnesses from America
millions Of the nations entry INTO t the
lighting lines with the allies. AL the
other Americans there were part OF 1ne
valiant force helping to make "orlo
history.
edge of the big event to n few oihclais
and correspondents and enforced
secrecy until today. It must De as
tinctly understood that the American
shoulder with the allies to drive back
German autocracy and prevent 1t from
overcoming the world. have not taken
over sector Of the long battle front.
They are merely in the trenches to re-
ceive the finishing touches of their in
tensive training.
Pershing Demands Simplicity.
Gen. Pershing insisted that the active
entry of the expedition into the war
should be undemonstrative and with
out formality. Even nature was over
cast with chilly wind and cloudy skies.
as II determined to strip the scene OF
anything spectacular or savorins OF
pageantry.
LET her go" the terse command of
kha ho 70 a hrnCTht
down his fist and the first gun broke
loose. was the only introduction to the
nations opening shot.
The infantry was sent in battalion
units and the artillery batteries were
all selected from different regiments.
No onicer of higher rank than major,
except a staff colonel acting in con-
junction with the French, accompanied
the troops. Everything possible was
done to guard against possible false
impression that the Americans had per-
manently taken over part of the front
or were doing anything more than op-
Grating in conjunction with the French.
Though quiet sector was chosen,
the front trenches and communication
trenches here are within easy range of
the German guns. The front occupied
has continued normal since the Ameri-
can entry. The chief complaint of the
men was of the mud. cold and almost
continuous rains that counterbalanced
the Joy of getting into the trenches.
service Others will be brought forward
to receive the same share of training
fire.
Easy as Firing at Trees.
1T is Just as easy aiming at real Ger
mans as firing at trees in our artillery
school," said a husky artilleryman I
saw after being there the first night.
The battery was silent at the time
His comrades were busy digging in the
muddy soil, bringing up big pieces of
corrugated steel for bombproofs and
those occupied by the French batteries
for months. The infantry was more
fortunate as regards settling in their
new trench homes. The dugouts vacat-
were substantial and well sheltered.
1t started to rain as the command
60 fall in was given in the different
villages where the infantrymen had
tory to stepping into the trenches.
No bugles were blown and all un-
necessary noise was dispensed with. It
was not hard shower, but a chilly.
steady drizzle. assuring a wet night
IN the cold and mud. Nature seemed to
have opened her entire bag of discom-
forts for the Americans on their first
night in the trenches.
Those who have seen regiments
march down the boulevards, divide
@@AeO 0AAdAASA uAAtS d1lcE the parade,
separate into side streets, disband and
be absorbed by the crowd may imagine
that moving the same number of men
or even a battalion into trenches is
easily accomplished in the same simple
manner. Even half a dozen soldiers
cannot appear from the protection of
the trenches on the active front with
out hostile shells soaring in their di-
rection. On this occasion the relieving
French troops held the trenches while
hAtn~ fny Z,
man who comes to the front to hold
the line against an enemy assault an
other leaves to trudge back to the
rear for few days of we'll earned rest
The movement to and from must be
simultaneous, as the trenches cannot
be left empty and unguarded for
single moment.