The Mena weekly star., 1918-04-04
SEEK INFORMATION
 ABOUT AMERICANS
Captured German Document Reveals Deep Interest in the New Foe Reasons for Rigid Censorship
 Plan.

With the American Army in France, March 31.-(Delayed) )-German army leaders are exceedingly anxious to ob- tain information concerning the most minute detail of the American army. This is disclosed by captured German document issued to the Fifth Bavarian Landwehr infantry brigade, and which instructs every observer and patrol to do his or it's best to bring information about the new enemy" The results obtained are to be added to official re- ports.
 The captured document starts out by giving details that are known, such as those regarding the American uni form and says the infantry is equip ped partly with English rifles and that the artillery probably has French guns. It says that American troops will continue training in France and adding:
 Nothing is known as yet about the method of fighting or leadership"
 Want All Possible Information.
 From the preceding meagre de- tails," it continues, "it is evident that Sectors K and M have the honorable task of obtaining as much information as possible on particular features of American fighting and outpost tactics. This will then be used for extending the information bulletin. Any obser- vation or identification, however in- significant, may be of the greatest value in connection with information already in hand"
 Attention then is drawn to "self- evident questions" which observers, patrols and outposts are expected to find answers for Under the heading "The Enemy's Security" the docu- ment says:
 Are sentry posts sentry posts or stronger posts? Further advanced re- connnoitering patrols? Manner of challenging? Behavior on post dur ing day and night?. Vigilance? Am bush tacJlcS ana cunning
 Do they shoot and signal on every occasion? Do the posts hold their ground on the approach of a patrol or do they fall back? Do they give barrage fire signals? When are the reliefs and what is the behavior dur ing them? Have they any light sig nals other than the French ones ?"
 Are They Cautious or Noisy?"
 Under "enemy patrols" the docu- ment asks details on strength, method of advance, behavior on meet ing and initiative" These questions comes under information on general behavior:
 Are the Americans careful and cautious? Are they careful or noisy? What is their behavior during smoke screens? What is their behavior at meal times? When are these? Can concentrations be observed? Is there much reconnoitering How is the be- havior day and night? Is there much machine gun firing7 Is there more or less transport of materials than formerly?"
 The Germans also want to know whether during reliefs there are more troops in the rear than is customary with the French and what are the times and sounds of reliefs. It is said that such infantry and machine gun bullets, unexploded shells, and cLnn ox.ls-Aa,ro .f acTNnpiaI NQlllP The Germans want to know whether the copper rotating bands have sharp incisions, indicating new or wornout guns, the ealibre of which can be de- termined by the curvature of the splinters, according to the document.
 Germans Still Guessing.
 Information regarding the color and outside appearance of projectiles fired by the Americans is also desired. The German soldiers are ordered to keep fwuses, splinters of shells and shell bases having factory initials and num- bers. Under the heading Enemy Shelling," they are asked the Ameri- can peculitarities compared with tine French, what objectives are preferred and whether dugouts are shelled. The document also asks that it be determ- ined whether the Americans employ bursts of fire or single shots at fixed intervals and what is the normal fir ing rate when observation is good.
 Many of the above items, while ap- parently trivial, it is pointed out by intelligence officers, indicate why the censorship has been obliged to delete certain matter from press dispatches.
 Since the captured document was issued, the Germans naturally have found answers to many of the ques- tions but about the others the Ameri- can expeditionary forces believe 1t still has the enemy guessing.