The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-31
CONGRESSMEN SEE
 WHAT WAR IS LIKE
Witness Struggle for Town of Sergy From Near by Hillside

With the American Forces on the Aisne -Marne Front, July 30.--By the Associated Press.- Six war-tired Ameri- can congressman are on their way back to Paris today after having witnessed from a hill side on Monday the tussle for possession of the town of Seroy, two and a half miles southeast of the former German base at Fere- -En- -Tardenois in the Sols- sons-Rheims pocket.
 The congressman saw American infan- trymen in action, witnessed the firing of entente allied big guns and heard the rattle of German machine guns and the crashing of the heavy cannon of the German crown prince. The congressman probably would have remained on the emnence longer had not the Germa n heavy shells begun exploding overhead. That ended the sightseeing trip in that vicinity, one congressman remarking that the Germans could quit that sort os business right then so far as he was concerned.
 LUNCH AMID RUINS
 The congressman who had visited the Austro-ltaIian front said their observa- tons Monday showed to them the first actual fighting worth talking about The party cnn6tlcted I.ia Light of South NorwaIk, Conn, and it COTS sisted of Representatives Thomas A. Chandler of Oklahoma, M. Clyde Kelly of Pennsylvania, Louis c. Cramton of Mich igan, Thaddeus H. caraway of Arkan- sas, John A. Elston of California and Joseph Thompson of Oklahoma
 The congressman had luncheon on the hillside of Chateau Thierry amidst the ruins of numerous fine homes, the lazy Marne creeping along through a great gap in what was Chateau Thierry's finest bridge, and now destroyed by the Ger mans.
 While the congressman were sitting down to basket luncheon a fashion ably attired woman from Paris came to the ruins of her old home. where she found group of American soldiers in possession. The woman explained her mission in broken English. She request ed the aid of the American n soldiers, and haG0R private dig hole in the basement at a point indicated by her. The soldier soon uncovered I basket full Of bonds, securities and ofher yaluables. Among them were lot of 5 per cent gold ylUu bonds of the defunct St. Louis, Oklahoma and Gulf railroad. The woman gave the soldier three bonds for his trouble
 The congressman visited the shattered houses in Chateau Thierry and also the hillside dugouts formerly occupied by the Germans, gathering numerous souvenirs They then proceeded toward the battle field, eventually reaching the hill south east of Ferc- En-Tardenois.
 When the Germans began replying to the allies tire in earnest, the congress- men decided that it was about time to adjourn and did so, leaving behind the souvenirs they had gathered at Chateau Thierry. On their way to the rear, how ever. they passed through the Forest of Fere, visiting additional former German dugouts and camps. and gathered up an other assortment of rifles, helmets and various articles, which they took back.
 The congressman also visited a field hospital, having seen stretcher- bearers bringing in wounded men from the field They were satisfied that everything pos sible vas being done for the men on the front lines and for those who fell in