Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-11
SHRAPNEL
Sidelights on the War
by
OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

J In the allied continental armies are
men. Frequently men of kindred call
lngs have little "get-togethers'' at
which they swap yarns. A group of
actors were "chinning'' in a little res
taurant behind the lines and exchang-
ing "reminiscences.
Il once sang The Canadian Boat
Song" said one, land when l came to
the line. Row. brothers. row. the
stream runs fast it gripped the audi
ence to such an extent that they start
Ted bending forward and forward in
| their seats. pulling for all they were
worth
winking at his companions. II once
sang Last Post and the whole house
began to lick imaginary postage
stamps and rushed out to the nearest
mail box sos not to miss the last COL
lection"
One of Gen. Foch's most famous
statements follows:
"a battle lost is a battle which we
believe we have lost, for battles are
not lost materially. Battles are lost
morally. and it is therefore morally
that battles are won"
Food rationing has been extended to
the ZOOS of England Meat of stray
dogs furnishes the chief diet for the
animals in the. majority of ZOOS. Gar
bage which is absolutely unfit for hui
man consumption in any form is
eagerly sought by the authorities. that
the animals may be sustained.
Though Gen. Plumer of the British
army has soft, drawing speech, almost
angelic temper, he is fighter from the
word go. He often is, compared to
Hindenburg for broad sweeping plans
of offensive. and to Ludendorff for his
painstaking care Of small details.
Veterans of the South African war say
he is the bravest general in the army
British children are being told
many things of America these days. A
governess one day said to one of her
charges:
Miracle I don't believe you know
what miracle is
"Yes. l do" replied the little girl;
its something that happens in Amer
lea"
Siemenstadt. near Berlin, boasts of
the largest electric kitchen in the
world. Between noon and O'Clock
1900 persons are fed every day.
The humble carrot is being made to
serve many purposes these days in
England. Sultanas. raisins. currents and
candied peel are scarce. The carrot is
SO treated that it is difficult to tell it
from glace cherries.
Amiens, for which the Germans are
fighting. is noted among officers and
81 II lta<l &c., Il
meals that can be obtained in it's ia
nous old restaurants In describing
Amiens British soldier said:
During. the baele Of the Somme
second capital of the world after Lon
don. At one time or another neatly
every unit that took part in Hat
mighty battle must have been within
reach Of this splendid old French DIV.
1t was the rendezvous of mess presi-
dents for miles around. the mecca for
everybody who wanted a good dinner.
! have Travelled a good deal in my life,
but l don't think ever witnessed
more picturesque scene than the main
thoroughfare of Amiens used to pre-
sent during the hour of the evening
aperitif.
EVERY uniform of the French and
British armies was to he seen there
Highlanders brushing past Moroccans
in their white burnouses. Indian sowars
side by side with poilus in their faded
blue, Australians. Canadians, Sene-
galese. Zouaves. The scene reminded
me of the bazaar of an oriental town in
its picturesque variety. All the officers
used to go and dine at one of two
places. either at that great hotel where
a stork and u seagull stalked in solemn
melancholy about the garden, or at a
quaint old restaurant where the ac-
commodation was more limited, but the
fare equally good"
The German woman who can boast Of
the longest list of relative casualties
holds her head the highest. Death Of
male relatives in the war has become a
social badge. 1t is not uncommon for
women to insert notices in newspapers
Of Berlin telling the number of men
folk 'hey nave lost Mourning is worn
on the slightest preteXt even for a
tenth-removed cousin
TIMGNA DILL dOn DiSnnnN11rn