Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-20
ANCIENT METHODS USED
IN THIS MODERN WAR
Soldiers Become Cave Dwellcrs, Re-
vcrting to Stonc-Age
Conditions.
BUT MEN DO NOT COMPLAIN
Accept Privations of Life in Trenches
and DugOuts With Smiling Faces
While Defending the Active Front
Against Enemy.

AT THE BRITISH FRONT. Septem-
Der 19.-If relatives could see the war
homes" OF their Toms and Dicks and
lIarrys they would be at once amused
and sad. Every time | see them they
remind mo of cave-mcn or Indians.
The fact that civilization has COM
PEELED such "a roversion to the ancient
methods OF settling disputes and that
Intelligent Christian men are forced
to burrow like animals into the ground
in order TO wage var, furnishes Il blunt
appraisal OF the fcrocity Of this con-
ilict.
Modern machinery reduces fighting
Ia the stonc-age status. Whatever
high principles may be involved. IL II
is Necessary TO win them by force OF
come barb0roua- 1t Is such trans
formation or conditions that resulted
ters." improved upon by modern science
and called dug outs. trenches and OBJ
servation pits.
Hence your sons and brothers and
husbands and s"cethearts are forced
to live like cave-men while defending
the active front against the enemy OF
democracy,
Since the allies got the whlphahd
trench warfare has been revolutioniZcd
but even In the so-cnlled open fight
ing. which is In vogue at present, old
mother earth provides the main pro-
lection against shells. bombs. gas and
bullets.
AS the British. French and Ameri-
cans ,aah are pressing on victoriously, the
advance. are more hastily scratched
than In the old days. and often patheti-
caliv shallow. Some OF them arc little
more than drains.
| have seen men OF great wealth and
titles. accustomed to luxurious man
sions and castles and liveried SER
wants. living forty. feet under the
earth. or protected from the elements
hN "a
rusty sheet OF corrugated iron COW
cred by sandbags.
grees grateful for shelter in som.
tumble down musty stable too exposed
and dangerous for domestic animals
that were long ago removed TO the
There is something about the resi-
dence OF allied troops in such tu~lbie-
down barns akin to Christ in the man
ger. He saved humanity. Our troops
save democracy.
MODERN DEVICES
IN PRIMITIVE CAVES.
have visited generals busy in
sun,erranean passages that resembicd
appearing as phnntoms in tho dim
candle light. And in such primitive
caves some Of the most modern devices
stale Typcwri;ers were clicking.
and telephone switch boards were
ht,ehcd 10 the moidy walls.
nave seen SOLDIERS TO thcir kneeK
In mud and water in the front line
trenches, outnosts or shallow holes
carpeted with illsmeilinS straw.
screened from the enemy sharp
shooters by Il margin of Inches
Far out in mo mans land" where q
cough or whisper meant death have
seen American. British and French
lighting men live in such war homes
with smiling faces. not complaint
on their lips or minds. animated by
only one wish, 10 get at" the enemy.
Rats swarm around the trenches ana
o!llets, hungry for scraps Of food
Thousands OF rodents driven from
ruined cities and villages. migrate IN
search OF fodder TO tho front lines
| have seen trails of rats killed BY gas
IN front OF tumbling buildings.
SWARM OF RATS
VICTIMS OF GAS
The other day we saw great swarm
OF dead rats in the front entrance OF
AN ancient prison wrecked by shells
They had almost reached the street
but were killed by mustard gas
To the soldiers the greatest menace
from the rats lies In the fact that
the rodents are such dangerous disease
carriers. The troops however. are in
different to them. Some claim the
rats can be trained like SQUIRRELS
They add uncanny touches 20 the war
homes" though.
Every bit of the natural Topography
Is utilized In making duEouts and