Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-11-13
PERSHING'S ARMY
AWAITS ORDERS
[Continued from First Page. ]

at eight o'clock. The onslaught was
{ receded by a tremendous barrage,
which was returned in kind by the
enemy. For three hours the Ameri-
cans swept forward, hurling them
selves against the wire entangle-
ments.
The German gunfire was devastat-
ing. Then, at exactly one minute of
eleven, like a final thunder crash at
the clearing of storm. the guns on
both sides abruptly ceased. Y
Cheers From Trenches
The silence was more startling than
the deafening roar of the barrage.
For a brief minute intermittent rifle
fire followed: then came a pause.
punctuated by ripping cheers from
the trenches on both sides of the line.
What followed on one sector was
perhaps one of the most singular
events of the war. Against the sky
line figures were suddenly silhouet-
ted. They appeared cautiously at
first, but soon, growing bolder all
40 g the line, they stood upright.
These were Germans.
The Americans were not so eau
tious. As the barrage died, ending
in a final husky rumble in the dis
tance from the big guns. runners
went springing along the firing line.
Instantly comprehending, the whole
line of dough boys leaped from
trenches, fox holes and she'll craft
ers, splitting the unaccustomed ST.
lence with a shrill cheer. The roar
of voices was like an outburst at
some great college contest in Amer
lea when a contestant scores a clas-
sic play.
Enemy Joins in Shouting
Strange to relate, the defeated en-
emy joined vociferously in the cheer
ing. The world war was finished.
At one minute before eleven 1t
would have meant death to show
ones self above shelter. Not more
than a minute after the hour the
rolling plain was alive with cheer
ing, shouting men, friend and enemy
alike. Not many minutes later Ger
mans and Americans were coming
along the narrow stretch of ground
so fercely fought over, some shkly
and awkwardly. like embarrassed
schoolboys.
The first advances were followed
by offers from the Americans of Gig
arets, chocolate and chewing gum,
The Germans in some places recipro-
Gated with offers of hot coffee, bread
and sausage.
Yankees Speak German
The orders forbidding fraternizine
were strict, but the novelty of the
situation at times overcame pru-
dence, and dough boys surreptitious-
" visited nearby enemy dugouts
Along the barbed wire at road
crossing. some doughboys and Ger
mans began a brisk barter for souv-
enirs. The Germans were bewildered
by the numbers of Americans speak
ing German.
"Sure. my old man was born in
Germany" laughingly remarked one
stalwart private.
"That's nothing" said another, ''ny
mother and father both were borr
there"
A middle-aged Lnadsturmer ex'
claimed:
"Yes the war is finished. thank the
good God. My only wish is to gel
back to Germany"
A slender pink checked machine
Kaiser has abdicated."
Instantly a young aristocrat raised
his voice: There will be no revo.
luton in Germany; a new emperor
will succeed"
An uproar Immediately arose. The
sneaker was drowned out by protest.
ing voices. Then the Germans begar
offering the Americans such news
and gossip as they knew. The ap'
proach Of an officer broke up the con.
versations.
The Germans celebrated peace
along the lines by firing far e.'
rockets and signal lights. The nigh
was uproarious with their cheering
The victorious Americans took 4
more calmly. Along the front tn,
majority of them got a good nights
restful sleep.
Parade Arm in Arm
Behind the lines in towns, brilliant
lv lighted for the first time in fou