Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-12
By the Associated Press.

BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND
BELGIUM. November 13-The American
congressional party and four prominent
men in private life. who have been visit
ing the western allied countries unofi-
cially during the congressional recess,
has completed four-day tour and left
the British front Senators Kenyon and
Kendrick, who have been making q spe-
cial study of war problems In England.
Joined the congressional party. Of which
c. c. Dill is chairman. for the trip to
the British war zone All, excepting tho
two senator's, had previously seen the
French front, and tho latter will visit
the French area before returning homo.
| The members Of the party were deeply
impressed by the war scenes in the Brit
ish theater. AS one Of them remarked
to the correspondent: att requires a
visit to the war zone to gain realiza-
ton of the magnitude Of the activities"
During their stay hero they covered
much territory by motor, ana saw not
only the workings Of the bases. but wit
messed actual fighting along tho line.
Two big British base hospitals. which
are being conducted by American units.
were inspected, and the party gained a
\
work in war time means. At great
base they saw vast ordnance workshops
and depots and a bakery that turns out
huge quantities Of bread for tho army
| every day.
| Visited American Front.
Later they visited a body of Ameri-
can soldiers close to the firing line at
"A certain point on the British front.
The terrible devastation wrought by
the war was forcibly brought home
to the party by a visit to Arras, the
region. In the Somme. Peronne and
Bapaume. which are nothing but a
mass of ruins. were inspected, and
some of the desolate battle front where
the Germans and allies fought such
sanguinary battles was gone over.
Near Lens they saw real action ana
experienced the sensation of hearing
great German shells scream overhead
and break not far away. Battle-scarred
Vinay ridge was seen and a good view
was obtained Of the entire zone about
Lens. where the Germans are cooped
up by the closely drawn British lines.
Senators Kenyon and Kendrick had
not seen a battle-ground before. having
remained in England. where the for
mer has been making careful study
of labor problems. and the latter in
vestigating the food question. The
correspondent talked with them Just
seemed deeply Impressed by the condi-
tons as they found them, especially
by the invincible spirit of the French.
British and Belgian peoples and their
confidence in ultimate victory.
Thinks German Defeat Certain.
Both senators declared they would
carry back to the United States the
conviction that the allies are firm in
their belief that they Will force Ger
many to her knees. not necessarily
through war exhaustion. but while the
be added that the senator's left the
British front also imbued with the be-
lief that everything points to the fact
that the allies can defeat Prussian
central powers are exhausted or not.
Representative Frederick g. Hicks of
New York said:
The visit to the front has made deep
and lasting impression on us. I was
amazed at the extent Of the destruction
and the desolation and the magnitude
Of the operations of the contending ar
mics. The splendid organization and
equipment and the grim determination
of the allied forces, both British and
French. is most impressing and sig
nifcant. With Americas help. the liber-
ties of the world are assured"
Former Representative r. L. Ham
mond of Nebraska said:
THE magnitude of the war Is as
founding. Motoring a thousand miles
over the battle front has shown that
the tremendous task of subduingf the
Hun is being accomplished. He Is be-
ing steadily pushed back by French
bravery colonial dash and British dog
gedness To these, America viii add
her illimitable resources. That will
make assurance of victory doubly sure.
The fine spirit of the armies on the
western front is amazing and a GER
tain augury of success"
British Effort Tremendous.
Former Representative stoute of Mon
tana said:
my visit. first to England and later
to the fighting front, has given me a
vivid impression of the tremendous eff
forts Great Britain is putting forth in
this war. I saw nowhere. either among
civilians or soldiers, the slightest sign
of weakening. The unquestionab BILE
spirit of England and France. which is
undiminished after theterrific sacrifices
they have made, should encourage and
sustain America as she proceeds with
her vast undertaking..