The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-01-05
NEWSPAPER MAN DESCRIBES
VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS

long ranks Of filing cases. 1t is pIo-
ueer correspondence under the new
order of things between Britain and
the United States.
The following afternoon brought Us
by a lucky chance to Canadian head
quarters. where we had the privilege
Of spending several hours with other
men who are conducting operations.
Ii was more thnn q lucky chance that
brought US to Canadian headquarters
almost ut the same hour that the Ger
mans began an uttack-it was an act
Of providence.
Lighted by Lamps and Candles.
II can be set down here without
further parley that two newspaper
men were never treated more royalty
than we We're by these men who at
the moment we entered their quarters
were directing barruge against q
strong German attack.
In the midst of tea the door opened
and for few minutes we were under
the impression that every general on
the western front had been delused in
to our presence. 1t was party of
officers who had dropped in for tea
and chat with the army command
ers. Instead they had q rather anus
ing talk with two American CORE
spOndents. who We're found interest
ing because they had been with the
American army on the Mexican border
and in France and had some idea of
what the United States troops could
do. Their intense Interest in prepara
tons Of the United States for war was
manifested in every question, and their
friendliness toward everything Alneri-
can was more than evident
In two minutes the formality Of In
half an hour the Canadian general
staff dropped their heavy responsible
ties and enjoyed the unique expert
ence of entertaining two Americans.
1t was the first time that such gath
ering had ever assembled In this par
ticular building and all made the most
Of it.
The staff captain who had intro
duced us suggested that we get little
exercise, explaining that the staff otti-
GERS usually spent an hour in the eve
ming playing badminton or some other
game just to keep in condition. We
went out to we'll constructed court
similar to tennis court and taped
off in the same manner. For an hour
we watched four officers bat the feath-
cred shuttlecock across the net with
a display Of skill and strategy that was
worthy of men who used strategy In
a greater and more deadly manner. We
took a hand in the game for time
and then watched four others play of
the staff championship.
Meet Famous Strateolst
When the game broke up and we re-
entered the headquarters building we
were presented to a man whose name
Is famous the length and breadth Of
the British front. His keen stratagems
and forceful work have won for him
the praise and admiration of every
Canadian fighting In France and his
record as q fighter would fill several
books. We were fortunate in having
an opportunity Of talking with him,
for he like the late General Funston,
Is keenly interested in newspaper work
and it gave US q good start on the
right plane. We explained to him our
reasons for coming to headquarters
and how the car that was to meet US
had broken down.
swell, I'm glad you're here, boys"
he said. iii Just arrange to have a
couple Of places set for you at dinner.
How are things over in the U. S. Al"
We had been talking with him only
few minutes when an officer brought
to him word that an S. o. S. signal had
been received from certain point in
dicatinS that the Germans were pre-
pairing to attack. There was no blus-
ter. The information was given in q
low, steady voice and the orders for
certain counter-measures were given in