The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-19
BY ARCH RODGERS
United Press stan Correspondent

Copyright. 1884. by United Press
BUENOS AIRES. Argentina, Dec
1e.-Men are suffering and dying by
thousands in the Chaco as Bolivians
and Paraguayans hammer at each
other In a conflict as terrible, in
miniature. as the World War.
The lessons Of modern means of
slaughter learned in Europe are be-
ing followed; and even the tactics
OF the French and German armies
are copied. Bolivia using the Ger
man method. Paraguay the French.
At the start of the war, it was not
organized On such a scale and the
fighting was comparatively simple
bullets and knives. Now, with the
Paraguayans pressing hard towards
Bolivian soil, artillery and machine
guns and airplane bombs work ter
rtble havoc in the major engage
ments.
Paraguay yesterday declined to
accept League of Nations recon-
mendations for peace, terming them
impracticable, and Bolivia prepared
for the greatest battle Of the war
before its army base at Villa Monies.
Fighting Fierce Throughout
The fighting has been fierce
through the war. Although suffer-
ing reverses lately, the Bolivians
achieved many brilliant victories IN
past engagements as the tide Of
battle flowed back and forth among
the forts dotting the forests, plains
and swamps of the OOO0-square-
mile area. Their defense of TT.
BaIivian recalled France at Verdun.
The hardy Bolivian soldiers Of
Indian type who comprise a large
part Of the Bolivian army have had
to overcome a decided disadvantage
in the climate. They are from the
high Bolivian mountain country,
unused to the low altitude and
steaming, enervating heat Of the
lowlands in the summer.
The ParaguayanS are from the
lowlands and used to the climate.
They are mostly of Indian, Spanish
and other European blood, and are
lighter in color than the Bolivians.
The fertile Paraguayan lands were
more attractive to European immi-
grants than the Bolivian mountain
towns.
Although not the Green He'll
-, IS ],
ern Chaco jungle-that it has been
painted, the Chaco undoubtedly
presents the most terrible fighting
conditions known in modern war
fare.
Both Sides Exhausted
The drill-clad Parag6ayans and
the khaki-uniformed Bolivians have
faced each other from opposite
trenches at times as near as six
PAGES together. Both sides became
exhausted. Sleep was impossible
because of the terrible heat, the
droves of mosquitoes. poisonous
reptiles and creeping things.
In addition, because of the close
ness, neither side dared to rest for
fear of being slaughtered The full
story of savage fighting and almost
inhuman sufferings may never be
appreciated.
Water is at a premium in the
Chaco and the torture of thirst was
frequently added. especially in the
early DAYS of the war. Many died
of disease.
In early battles, some Paraguayan
regiments fought armed only with
machetes, a sort of overgrown
butcher knife. In the hands of eX-
perienced Yerba workers it proved
a formidable weapon and many a
Bolivian head rolled in the dust.
Women Play Big Role
The women of both countries
have taken a great part in the war
both as nurses at the front, in hos
pitals at the rear, and other aux
Hilary services. In the Paraguayan
war against Brazil, Argentina and
Uruguay 70 years ago. the women
fought side by side with the men
at the front. Some adventurous
Amazons even offered themselves
for service early in this war but of
course were rejected One girl
actually spent some months fight
ing at her brothers side until she
was discovered.
If the Bolivians are expelled from
the Chaco, the girls of Conception,
Paraguay, who vowed to use no
rouge or lipStick until the land is
freed Of the enemy. once again can
begin to beautify themselves as they
did before the war.
Their attitude meanwhile is typ
zeal of the entire population of both
Landslide war must be won at any
cost.