The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-08

said and there must be plenty Of wine small crate OF
especially wine, quite evidently garnered from
some famous wine cellar in Brussels had been carried
into the kitchens BY an orderly and this was told to
serve exclusively for the Field Marshal and the Ober
general.
While moved about the salon floor making prepare
lions for the meal heard the officers talking OF the
tor the latest developments that immediate 'front.' the
general situation between the opposing armies and
tasks of the immediate future. This early in 1916
and already had learned from other officers there
indications of strong British action in the Arras sector;
of which our neighborhood the hinterand.
For time it seemed to me that every one must be
talking telling the results of observations referring to
suggested plans for the meeting of the expected British
offensive except Hndenburg and Ludendorf. Then
there was sudden ul The Field Marshal was speaking
at last knew it must be he from the utter, indescrlb
able fnality of his tone:
''The principal opposing effort will be attempt at
conveyance from Peronne and Arras; with this vicinity
as the proposed theatre of heaviest operation Cambria
will remain the main objective of the enemy left In the
present position this attempt must be expected
More than year later this prophecy came true Per-
haps Hndenburg expected earierI know he prepared
for it-but when this principal opposing effort hap
pened it was Just as the Field Marshal said it would be
conveyance from Peronne and Arras, with Cambria
as the objective 1t this offensive, made by the Brit
ish which released
At dinner Hndenburg ate enormously and almost ex-
cusvey of meats The servant whose station permitted
her to watch Ludendorff told he ate little more than
nothing Under the influence of the wine Ludendorf
talked freey-but only of technical things in connection
with the administration of the army. Hndenburg did
not even deign to listen while his officers discussed plans
for the forthcoming offensive plans which could not
understand although knew they meant the expenditure
of million lives As he had finished eating the
Field Marshal making it necessary for his officers
also push back their plates and rise He went at once
to the automobiles the others following and was driven
to the headquarters building for a night session.
Throughout the meal Major Elmann lecred at the
younger servant girls avoided his insulting gaze with
difficulty With the other younger officers he Syy dis
cussed the appearance of these girls who were the daug
tiers of good families forced by the fate OF war to take
refuge with me as menias Before the meal was over
feared for them
This major remained behind when the others followed
their chiefs the headquarters to inspect arrangements
for the repose of the lords during the night led
him through the rooms | had arranged for Indenburg
and those had chosen for LudendOrtf. showed him
then such quarters could mprovse for General Stem
ger and the other high ocerst had been quite prob
lem to equal the demands made upon in such short
time Major Emann took pains to express his satisfac
ton. but he added
"And now will you not show where you put the
servans-especially the very pretty one with the blue
eyesf Blue eyes You know Madame console me for my
absence from the fatherland."
There was no installing his meaning. There could be
me to desperation.
'If ordered to do that shall appeal direct to
his ExeelIency Marshal Won Hindenburg" declared.
Major Elmann turned on his heel without word and
strobe into the salon.
1t shortly after this visit from Hndenburg and
Ludendorf that what think OF the greatest