El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-19
THREE AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN
DODGE SHELLS AT BATTLEFIELD
Have Narrow Escape as Germans, Spotting Them, Be
gin Sending Over Heavy Stuff and Nearly Get Them;
Then Sniper and Machine Gun Take Pot Shots at
Them But Miss; They See the Effects of War.

I a PANNE, Belgium, Oct. 1s.-Thret
l. members Of the United States con-
gress who arrived here after a thrill
ing ride on a tour OF inspection OK
the entire battle front are declaring
positively their conviction that there
is only one possible outcome TO the
war-rictory for the allies.
In a composite interview, they said:
Everywhere we went there was
evidence Of the weakening OF the
Germans Or. TO put 1t another way.
the strength Of the allies is recuper-
ating so speedily that they now have
the advantage Americas might be-
ing thrown into the breach today has
been the element that has turned the
Tide for success and victory. BY this
we 90 not mean that America Is win
ming the war. but that Great Britain
and France and Italy. quite naturally,
had become Wearied to a certain ex-
tent by the terrific struggle they have
been through in four years
All the wonder is that Great Brit
ain and France persisted despite the
tremendous odds they faced in the
beginning Of the conflict. Germany
was fully prepared, the others were
not and how the two nations fought
so stolidly against the seemingly ir-
resistible horde will always be one
of Che marYels Of Christianity's ad-
vance. America comes in fresh. The
americans have infused fresh YigOr
into the allied spirit-and that spirit
cannot be defeated
The congressman are Frederick c.
Hicks. Of New York; ". B. Oliver. OF
Alabama. and J. c. Wilson. Of Fort
Worth Tex They reached this point
and = fast motor trip all along the
front into Belgium
Leaving Dunkirk IN the morning,
the congressman had q radiant day.
The scouting alrplanes al around
flashed IN the sun like fish tum5ting
in the water. Just little way out.
at the town Of Bergues, they obtained
their first Impressions Of devastated
Belgium and the French border ad-
jacent- Tie little village was per-
forated in scores OF places where the
Hun raiders had attacked women and
children Stores and homes were
RACED. leaving only few skeletons
Of walls 10 mark the place. The old
cathedral stood intact and the sexton
was going about his duties IN mid
day as in time Of peace. Belgian wo-
men and children were sprinkled
about in the population-driven from
their humble and lowly homes by the
Hun hand
Everywhere there were evidences
Of the thrift that has stood so won
derfully behind the Belgian nation in
their days Of peril. Even little chill
dren were STOPPING here and there
in the narrow cobbled streets busily
sailing hides Just outside the vii
lage the fields OF Tax, chickory, cab
bage and sugar beets were in high
state OF cultivation, the beets giving
OF their peculiarly pungent odor. Old
men. old women ard a few children
were tte tillers of the soil The lit
tie matched houses. presenting such
tranquil pictures in the war zone,
were as clean and tidy as a decade
ago Sheep Erazed peacefully nearby
looking fat and well fed
Didn't Look the Part.
For the congressman everything
moved smoothly until COST Capped. on
the Belgian border, was reached Here
customs officers stepped out and
waved a flag for the automobile TO
stop The little American officer who
had an official blanket piss for the
party could not prevail upon the Gus
toms men TO allow the party to cross
Les trois hOmmes a sont sen-nat-
oOrs de Estats Unis-"
-Oui. oui. Sen-nat-oors"
He shrugged his shoulders. It was
hard to ten whether he doubted the
looks Of the representative They
certainly were enough TO excite dis
trust. The three had their gas masks
strapped on their chests. But they
wore them like luncheon boxes and
not at ali as If they were used TO IL.
1Ir Wilson had his cap pulled away
down over his ears. Mr.. Hicks had
not had a chance 10 shave that morn
ing and Nr. Oliver also had his hat
well down. They all carried helmets.
-Sen-nat-oorsZH' queried the Bel
Eian again. He left the car and went
into the customs office. There was a
noisy jabbering inside for ten min
utes or so. Finally the private re-
turned and said:
sorry Je me- something or
other
-Oh hell 7 know where we can
cross" spoke UP one Of the Officers.
ran around 10 Poperinghe. The little
British officer WHOM they met took
the situation in like a flash when
the car drew up and the officer spoke.
Right you are" he said, cheerfully,
and with an amiable smile. Good
luck TO you and don't stop at any Of
the cross roads"
They Travel Fast.
out OF PoperinEhe the car was
swing directly into camouflaged
road II led TO Ypres-the greatest
monument OF all the world to Ger
man wickedness and fiendishness. Ev-
cry single tree along the route had
been struck dozens Of times by shells
from the German batteries now only
q few miles away. Tops had been
blown off. trunks torn to pieces
Great shell holes appeared on both
roads there were warnings to keep
moving swiftly. These. however. were
not needed at all for the congressional
arrTon7onf7e The distance over the