South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-02-03
RIVAL WAR LEADERS
TELL EXPERIENCES
AT LUNCHEON PARTY
Gen. Won Below, German, and
Earl of Cavan Enact
Friendly Enemies.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 2 = Jndei

the guiding light of star shells on
that dark and bloody night I moved
nay men through the mountain pass
hoping 10 flank you unawares.
n II was Gen. Hans Won Below. one
2Of The most distinguished OF the
German leaders 90 the World War
who spoke.
We apprehonded your move that
night. I remember IL well. IL was the
night one OF my aides was killed"
10 was General the Earl Of Cavan
one OF the acknowledgements who
led the British 20 victory. who re-
Piled.
The two warriors who had faced
each other IN command OF titan
armies al critical periods during the
war met under Extraordinary cir
cUmstances at a luncheon party in
washington q few DAYS ago IL was
a meeting OF friendly enemies"
Seated az the table were the Earl
OF Cavan. Gen. Won Below. Gen. il.
K Bethel, military attache TO the
British Embassy here, and Col
Bartholomew. Lord Cavan and Col
Bartholomew are members Of the
British delegation 20 the arms con-
ference. Gen. Won Below IS in
America OF business. His wife is an
American. The former German COM
mander may stay here indefinitely
and - counting the idea Of establish
Ing himself IN business here.
Friendly Rivalry.
The luncheon had all the charac-
teristics OF Il group Of college foot
BAH players meeting after a bitterly
fought gridirou duel. discussing
/ goodnaturedly the technical features
J OF the battle. There was friendly
rivalry. but no bitterness.
Under the spell OF coffee and the
lure OF long cigars the conversation
between the generals drew out tales
OF daring and doing deeds That We're
done with a vengeance, and mishaps,
sometimes humorous, that had
blocked the mighty drive OF the
Prussians or mayhap weakened the
ranks Of the allies. The luncheon
table became as a council table and
IN their mind eve they must have
seen each other CARRIED in wartime
cloth The incense Of cigars took on
the appearance Of battle smoke and
the knives and forks were formed
into battle lines and regimental ar
rays IN the explanation OF maneuv-
ers.
we talked Of battles. Of successes
and defeats. and their cause and ef-
feet" Gen. Won Below said after
ward Being all good soldiers and
sportsrnen, we were able TO forget
our former feelings and discuss the
war in an unconstrained and dis
passionate way
\ SOIdierIy Figure
Gen. Won Below is tall straight,
well-built and soldierly figure.
Though Prussian IN physical appear
ance. the generals eyes belle MS
appearance. for they are large and
kind and e0ged with myriad crows
feet. He smiles with cavalier grace.
lie f. the brother OF Gen. otto Won
Below, who was in command Of the
Austrian troops on the Italian front
and whose name figured daily I'm
wartime dispatches from the Piave.
il was Lord Cavan who stopped the
Austrian smash on the Piave. Hans
Won Below was with his brother IN
the Piave struggle. In a friendly
manner Lord Cavan and Won Below
discussed the Piave combat and told
each other how # had been done.
Each explained 20 the other how
mistakes had been made, and each
had words OF praise for the other
for some particularly brilliant stroke
recalled. At the conclusion OF the
luncheon Gen. Won Below spoke Of
the excellent craftsmanship OF his
new British friends and said that the
o. che
joyable OF his career.
Admircs Americans.
Gen. Won Below arrived I'm New
York from Europe a month ago and
has been in Washington for a brief
stay. Commenting on his American
visit Gen. Won Below said:
My plans are a bit vague as yet.
am here because my wife is an
American Ny belng here has no Of
ficial significance. I am a soldier
and never have been connected with
politics. 7 have no connection with
the present German government
and. what is more, / do not wish TO
have"
The generals wife was formerly
Miss Brice. OF South Carolina
During the war Gen. Won Below
commanded troops in both the East
ern and Western theatres. After the
armistioe he was Northumberland
IN command OF the Fifty-first Army
Corps. and remained with his forces
on the Rhine until after the revolu-
ton. when his command was de-
modified He then discarded his
Uniform and. as ne SAYS. never TO
ut 10 on again"
Il was fearful lest Americans
might make my visit uncomfortable
for me-" the general said. "But I am
astounded with the degree OF sports
manship ohivalry. tact and courtesy
with which 7 have been received
everywhere. Ny admiration and re-
spect for Americans Is now bound
less."