Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1915 — Page 3

150 FRENCH SOLDIERS IN GERMAN LINES FOR MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS

Fugitive Fighters Cut Off From Retreat in Belgium in Early Stages of War Conduct Guerrilla Warfare Against Foe, Inflicting Heavy Losses and Damage and Successfully Elude Every Attempt to Capture Them.

Paris—ln all Its wealth of heroic actions the present war contains no more surprising episode than that which has just been brought to light The facts are as follows: For more than four months, ever since August 23, an organised company of 150 French soldiers have been living In the Belgian provinces of Luxemburg and Namur, and although surrounded entirely by the German forces occupying Belgium, they have constantly escaped capture. For almost four months they have conducted a guerrilla warfare against their foes, inflicting heavier losses and more damage than could be done by an entire regiment in >he open, and every attempt of the Germans to dislodge them from the mountain forests where, they have found refuge has failed. The story is vouched for by an unimpeachable authority who has personally seen and interviewed the commander of this fugitive force and several of his men. These 150 men are all that is left of the French troops who Vainly attempted in a two-day battle to resist the German advance between the Rivers Liesse and Semois on August 22-23. The order for general retreat sent out by the allied forces on Sunday, August 23, reached them too late. Their only way of retreat, through Mezieres, having been cut off, and realizing that they were surrounded, they decided to seek refuge in the thick forests with which this region is covered and to await there the return of the French forces, which in their minds then was a matter only of days. The informant who brings this story to Paris makes no secret of the hiding place of these soldiers, which, he says, is between the towns of Saint-Hubert and Givet, in the Belgian section of the Ardennes mountains. Their presence there is known to all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages and to the Germans as well. Villagers Help Frenchmen. Having decided to remain within the enemy’s lines, the men were organized by the few officers who had survived the battle and after a careful survey of the country a place of concealment was selected from which it would be possible to do the most harm to the enemy with the least danger of detection, Scouting parties were sent to the nearby villages, who enlisted the aid of the inhabitants, all of whom have long ago fled the country and are now beyond the reach, of German reprisals. A good supply of ammunition was the most urgent need of the soldiers and women and children volunteered to make a search of the LlesseSemols battlefield and to empty the cartridge belts of the dead French troops still unburled. A supply of 17,"000 Lebel cartridges was gathered in this manner and carefully concealed in the forest. In exchange for the food and clothing which were furnished by the vil- ■ lagers the commanding officer gave regular army requisition papers which will be redeemed when the war is over and the Belgian peasants were only too glad to save their property from the Germans in this manner, knowing that they will obtain payment for it from the French government at a later date. But this was not the soldiers’ only means of obtaining supplies. Believing the surrounding country cleared of hostile troops the Germans continued to send provision trains through with only a small guard to protect them and one by one these trains were held up and their escorts killed by the Frenchmen. These attacks occurred at points so far apart that- the Germans were unable to discover the exact location of the hostile force and although strong bodies of troops have been sent against, it every search has

failed. Cavalry and infantry troops - have ventured as far into the forests ■ as they have dared, but so thorough a - knowledge of the ground have the fugitives acquired that they have been able to conceal themselves successfully every time. ~ ‘ During the first few weeks of their forest life the soldiers might have succeeded in getting over the border had they accepted the offers of the inhabitants* to furnish clothing with which they could disguise themselves as peasants and pass through the German lines as refugees. - These offers, however, were refused. German Commander Killed. On one occasion in the village of Houyet, on the Llesse, 20 kilometers from Dinant, the fugitive soldiers had a narrow escape. A German force, ."which the French believed to be small, had occupied the royal chateau I’Ardenne and was making merry with the contents of a well-filled larder, and wine cellars of the place, while the few remafhing inhabitants in the village were starving. The commander of the French soldiers decided to put an end to this condition of affairs and undertook personally to trap and capture the German commander. The surprise of the latter 'Can weii be fmigineu when during a morning stroll he came suddenly face tpface with a French officer in full uniform who ordered him to hold up fcls hands. He

drew his revolver ’instead, but the Frenchman was quicker and shot him dead. The report was heard by the sentry at the chateau and brought a strong force of Germans on the run. The French soldiers were waiting near by to assist their chief, but one glance was enough to see that they were greatly outnumbered and all fled back to the woods, not one being even wounded. A similar incident had occurred only a few days before at Beauralng, ten miles away, when a German captain had been killed, and the military authorities thereupon decided to make a thorough search of the forest to round up the French troops. More than one thousand men took part in the search, but not a Frenchman was found. Meanwhile the attacks have continued and the Germans in the regions of Houyet, Geduine, Saint-Hubert, Beauralng and Givet are terrorized. No officer dares venture out alone, no stranger is allowed to pass. M. Speyer, the Belgian senator, who has taken charge of the feeding of the remaining Inhabitants of these regions, has been subjected to a close watch during all his visits, and he is practically the only one tolerated in these towns. The authority for this story saw the French commander only two weeks ago and succeeded in getting through the Germap lines and back to Paris. At that time the German military authorities had posted throughout the two Belgian provinces of Luxemburg and Namur the following announcement addressed to the fugitive soldiers: “French soldiem: “We know where you are and have full Information regarding your strength. In your own interest we advise you to surrender and promise that your lives will be safe. If you refuse every one of you will be shot.” On the following morning the Germans were amazed to find written fn a bold hand across several of the posters the following line: “If you know where we are why don't you come and get us?” And underneath appeared the signature of the French commanding officer, with his full name and rank and the number of his regiment.

LEARN TO DISCOUNT DANGER

British Medical Officer Studies the Psychology of Courage Among the Soldiers. London. —A medical officer who has been making a study of the “psychology of courage” at the British front, says that most men confess to a feeling of fear which only wears off after several days in the trenches. “But once this physical instinct of terror is conquered, there comes,” says the medical man, “a second courage, which, while not despising danger, is able to dlscount'it. Under Are these men find a self hitherto unsuspected, an elusive quality which for want of a better title is called manhood.” “The soldier learns first to. control, then to measure, his fear,” he says. “He learns to discount possibilities just as the ordinary railroad traveler does. And -the work in hand generally engages and holds more and more of his attention. Then comes a time when he wants to go back to the firing line, not because it Is pleasant there, but because staying away is just impossible. 'While the man who has not yet been under fire cannot safely count upon experiencing this or that particular feeling when his hour comes —this depending upon temperament and circumstances—he can, I believe, count upon soon achieving the second courage, which is the priceless possession of the veteran. 'Under Are he may lose every preconceived notion he ever cherished or shunned, but it is highly probable that he will find himself.”

TRAINER FOR WINTER FIGHTING

The French have several corps of troops, known as ‘Chasseurs Alpins,* trained to work and fight in the snow and cold of winter, and it seems flk» ly they will now be of much value to the allies.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

SAVED FOR PRINCE’S SAKE

Germans Spare Maubeuge, France, Because of Treatment Given the Kaiser's Dying Nephew. Boulogne, France.—Because a young French Red Cross nurse took interest in an eighteen-year-old German lieutenant. who was brought unconscious Into the hospital at Maubeuge, and died three days later, the city of Maubeuge has been favored by its German conquerors, and is enjoying a greater degree of freedom than any of the other French border towns in German territory. The wounded German was the prince of Saxe-Meiningen, nephew of the femperor. He had suffered a fractured skull and died without regaining consciousness. At the suggestion of the nurse, the local authorities gave the prince the funeral honors due his rank, photographed, the body and coffin, and sent the photographs, together with the personal belongings of the prince and a detailed account of his illness to his family at Meiningen. The young man’s father, the duke of Saxe-Meiningen, acknowledged the courtesies in a letter expressing deepest appreciation and later —when the Germans entered Maubeuge —he proved his gratitude by directing the troops occupying the fortress town to treat the inhabitants with the utmost consideration. The nurse was given a safe conduct through the German lines.

GUARDING BRITISH COAST

Pickets from the Somersetshire regi ment guarding the coast from a po» slble attack by German submarines.

TEA FOR MEN IN TRENCHES

Englishmen Believe French and German Soldiers May Form Habit. London. the French and German troops are being supplied with tea in the trenches. Tea is easier to make and is a better thirst quencher than coffee and it also keeps warm longer, which is an important consideration in the trenches. It is just possible that both the French and Germans will get to like tea, and both nations may become large tea users after the war. At present France and Germany, with a combined population of more than a hundred millions, are negligible as tea consumers. It is likely that Englishmen too many learn some new tastes and new habits when the British soldiers come home. They may bring back a taste for strong coffee, cheap wive and black cigarettes. French soldiers brought back from Algeria the taste of ah sinthe, and English ofilcers brought from Egypt in 1885 the cigarette habit.

Bar English Language.

Berlin. The Berliner Tageblatt asks all Americans to communicate with German firms, associations o- individuals in. German, explaining: “We all know English, but we’d rather have you approach us in our own language just now.”

A SERIOUS FAMILY

By HENRY KIRK.

(Copyright) “The marriage of my daughter, Mr. Wayne, is a matter of the greatest Importance. As you see, it concerns my" entire family. That is why we are all here to discuss- it” Mr. James Brownson made a sweeping gesture with his right arm. The circle included a small group of men and women arranged about the room, half a dozen people of varied ages and descriptions. “It is the greatest event in a woman’s life —her marriage— 4jo you must not wonder at our deliberation. You are thirty years of age, I believe?” *> Wayne shifted in his chair. “Yes,” he said quietly. He was rather weary of the proceedings, although, for the sake of the girl, he was Willing to make certain concessions to the claims and prejudices of her family. “Yes, lam thirty.” “Thirty! And what have you done •with yourself?” Mr. Brownson looked at the young man squarely and aggressively. “Done?” Wayne laughed a little. “Why, I think the principal thing—yes, the greatest thing—l have done la to love your daughter!” He looked at the girl as he said it. She was sitting very quietly next to her mother. Mr. Brownson went on without noting the reply he had made, quite as if It were of too trivial a nature. “You are possessed of a large Income. Fortunately, my daughter does not require it; nor, at the same time, can we say you have ulterior motives In seeking her hand.” Wayne bowed. Mr. Brownson raised a. protesting hand. “You love my daughter—good! But what have you done with your life? Thirty years of age, and what have you accomplished?" Wayne looked up frankly. "I don’t know of anything In parfltular,” he said, “but I suppose I shall do something—perhaps.” “You have occupied your time principally with frivolities and idleness!” Mr. Brownson came out at last with his long-suppressed sentiment. He looked about him. “I have asked my sisters and brothers, and also Mrs. Brownson’s only living relatives, to hear this matter discussed. We are a serious family, Mr. Wayne—simple, serious people—and the marriage of my daughter—” Wayne looked squarely into the eyes of his hoped-for father-in-law. “May I marry your daughter, Mr. Brownson?” Mr. Brownson fidgeted. “One moment, please,” he said mildly. “This is a serious question, and we are, as I said before, serious people. You, as I take it, are not a serious man. You spend your time upon your yacht, in travels of a useless nature, and in this country you race about In a somewhat criminal and reckless manner in your automobile. Do you think it would be wise for a parent to trust his child to you?” The relatives nodded their heads and looked at their folded hands. Mrs. Brownson raised her handkerchief to her eyes. Wayne looked them all over, from Brownson himself at the head, to the little fussing Individual, a nervous aunt, at the fend. He marveled that Cicely could have come of such people. Certainly, she could not follow the bent of her pompous old father, nor yet that of her hysterical mother, who was just now, he was certain, reveling in the thought of her child crushed under the wheel of his big white car, or drowned somewhere in the bottom of the sea. The others were quite Mrs. Brownson began to cry and audibly. “Jennie!” Mr. Brownson raised his hand. Mrs. Brownson did not see the hand; but she knew it was there, for she instantly ceased. “Cicely, what have you to say?” The girl had been looking quietly at the tips of her fingers. Now, she changed her line of vision until It reached the eyes of her father. . “I love him.” She said It simply and without tho slightest trace of emotion or hysteria. It was. something quite settled in her mind, and all the family councils could not possibly change her. Wayne looked at her gratefully. “Cicely!” Mrs. Brownson sobbod sharply. “You wish to leave me!” The relatives raised their eyebrows and thought Cicely showed a certain lack of niceness In her frank avowal. “Mother, you married father!” “What do you mean?" “Every one marries, and I don’t see why Jack’s motor and his yacht should be placed between us.” Mr. Brownson looked with gasping astonishment at his child. It was the first time she had ever asserted herself. “Cicely,” he got out, "do you realize what you are saying? "Do you realize that you are questioning me, your pafent? Are you forget ting your filial duty? My dear Mr. Wayne, I must apologize for my daughter. She cannot know he? own mind, and upon that score as well, I object to her union with you. No, no, it is quite impossible; but what, as I asked you before, what havs you dune with yoar thirty years? Bidden years; wonder years, and yet where are they?” Wayne said nothing. .He was beginning to be unbearably bored.

He was almost nervous. Cicely’s father was her tether, and, since he was. he was worthy *of some consideration; but, despite the fact, he found the bestowal of that consideration rather difficult He thought him an insufferable old codger, quite a fossilized specimen of the race. His thirty years ran before him In swift review. He rather fancied he had occupied them somewhat well. “One thing I have not done—” he began. “And that?". Mr. Brownson looked at him politely. The relatives shared his amiable doubt. “I have never bored any one, I don’t think I have.” He paused quickly and looked at his boots. “I’ll tell you, Mr. Brownson, I think I have occupied my thirty years rather well. I have made myself happy, and tried to make others. I’m sure everyone who has eypr been on my yacht has pleasant memories of it, and anyone who has ever ridden in my car. I’ve taken out all sorts of people, from newsboys to bishops. "I don’t know of any special damage I’ve ever done. Certainly, I’ve never run over any one —not that I know of. I've done my best generally. These are probably negative virtues, but they’re the best I have, all but the biggest and the greatest of them all, loving Cicely.” The relatives looked at each other gingerly. The maiden aunt felt some-what-shocked. Mr. Brownson felt the responsiveness of the circle. "That is very well,” he breathed heavily, “but we are a serious family, and negative virtue is too—well, too negative—quite too much in the abstract to satisfy.” "Then, what I need is seriousness of purpose?” "Exactly!” Mr. Brownson joined his finger-tips. Two of the relatives coughed. Mrs. Brownson gurgled. The girl looked at Wayne and smiled. The man instantly forgot the others and quickly started to his feet. Cicely alone was there, and- she was smiling at him. She was his love and his heart’s desire. She was the most that the world might give to him. He loved her, and that was enough for him to know. She loved him, and there was nothing else for him to know. He started to the center of the room. The girl rose and met him. Mr. Brownson shot up from his seat in amazement. Mrs. Brownson prepared for further tears. The relatives leaned back and waited. “What does this mean ?” Mr. Brownson’s voice hit the note of tragedy. “Do you intend to steal her from me?” Indignation mingled with the tragic. “This Is too much. We are a serious family. You are simply an idle man of the world. We have nothing In common. The conference is over.” Mrs. Brownson decided there were to be no tears. The relatives rose with her. “The conference is decidedly over!” Mr. Brownson loftily repeated. “Father!" The girl gave a little cry. "Fhther! ” Mr. Brownson paused at the agony In his child’s cry. Mrs. Brownson again raised her handkerchief. The others made way for a scene. "I don’t see why you are all this way!” The girl choked a little. "I love him, and he is worthy of more than I can give him. Yes, he is. He’s better than any of us. He’s always doing something for people—poor people. I know. Jack, you know I love you, and my father can never change me!” Mr. Brownson coughed. From the resultant sound it would seem that the cough was uncalled for. “That will do, Cicely; that'will do. A last word, perhaps, may be necessary, and I would suggest that it be made in private. Jennie, all of us. We shall go up to the library. We shall discuss Mr. Wayne’s—philanthropy alone. “Cicely, you will go to your room. Mr. Wayne, you . may remain here, or return in half an hour for our final decision.” With this, the head of the clan Brownson gathered his forces and left the room. Half an hour later he returned again, leading the line. Wayne was there awaiting them. Cicely was beside him. From all appearances, they had never left the room. Mr. Brownson looked at the girl in some astonishment. “Cicely, what does this mean? I thought I sent you to your room. Mr. Wayne, have you taken undue advantage?”

Wanye spoke very quickly. "It means, Mr. Brownson, that I am a serious man myself. I should say—perhaps I am. I rather thought my love for Cicely was serious enough. She agrees with me in the. matter. I won’t apologize for my thirty years, even if I haven’t done anything special for my country. I haven’t built bridges, nor 1 have I operated street railways. But I have done one big thing in loving your daughter. "It has taken up so much of my time that I couldn’t reasonably do anything else. But —” He paused and went nearer to the girl and took her hand. Mr, Brownson shook as if a spasm had suddenly seized him. Mrs. Brownson and the others took their cue and immediately entered upon a wild consternation. “Enough of this! Enough—enough!” Mr. Brownson was livid. "You have no purpose in life, no—” "Serious, Mr. Brownson? I am—frightfully* To show *you trow really in earnest I am—how much in earnest I have heen, about Cicely, why, when you were gone, I took het out and married her 1”

HOME TOWN HELPS

GARDEN PLOTS FOR THE POOR Suggestion Made at Washington That Anacostla Flats Be Leased at Nominal Rentals. Vegetable garden plots on the Anacostia river fiats for the use of poor families of Washington is the proposition which has recently been made to the commissioners by Charles Royle of Washington. The proposed use of the lands reclaimed by the Anacostla Improvement project has been received with much interest by the commissioners and other district officials, and may ben the subject of a request for appropriations when the next estimates are'prepared. The suggested plan calls for the acquirement by the district government! of the river front, the subdivision of the lands Into quarter-acre garden plots, and their lease at nominal rentals to such families as the board of charities may recommend. It ,1s suggested that the cultivation of the plots shall be under the supervision of the! weights, measures and markets department of the municipality. Superintendent Sherman of that department said that he considers that) the plan has great possibilities for good. "Under proper direction,” he added, “the gardens not only could be made attractive In appearance, but they could be developed to the point where they would support many poor families without furnishing extensive competition for Maryland and Virginia growers.” An act of congress would be necessary to place the title to the land in the district.

TRIBUTE PAID TO SOCIETIES

Co-Operative Work Acknowledged to Bo Best Method of Advancing City's Interests. In looking over an oljtl work of Peter Henderson, written about forty years ago, we find this beautiful "slam" on New York pity: “In New; York and its suburbs the taste la much lower than it is in either Boston or Philadelphia. In those places, no doubt their excellent horticultural' societies have done much to refine the tastes of the people, and it is to be regretted that neither New York nor its adjacent cities, with probably over two million people, have a single horticultural or florlcultural society.” At tne present day, this distinction is none the less deaf, and where these societies best flourish the highest appreciation of plant life is shown. There are better gardens, better gardeners, more varied plant life and more rare and costly plants in Pasadena than in any other city on the Pacific coast; also less crime and a higher standard of citizenship.—Los Angeles Times.

Lesson to Be Learned.

"According to the United States census, the population in California cities of Over one hundred thousand people has increased, in the decade from 1900 to 1910, from 30 to 37.3 per cent. The population in districts outside of cities of ten thousand and over has decreased from 56.9 per cent, in 1900, to 46.7 per cent, in 1910. Most of this decrease of the percentage of 1 population of agricultural districts has gone to the big cities of over one hundred thousand. • This clearly shows the prevailing tendency. It also shows the grave' necessity for building cities that are fit places for the permanent housing of the larger part of the population.

For Deaf and Dumb In India.

Fourteen years ago a school was opened in Palamcottah, South India, for deaf and dumb children, the only missionary effort among the 200,000 deaf of India. About 300 children of! every race and creed, from all parts of India, and sent by every missionary society, have passed through the school, and over a hundred are studying there now. The Hindus are' beginning to realize the good of educating the deaf, and last year asked government help to enable them to open a school in Madras. Last January a small school was opened in Madras; already It is full with Ifr children. —Missionary Review.

Unremitting Toil.

"Think you can learn a part if I! give it to you?” inquired the Broadway manager of the chorus girt "In 1 the second act you say, ‘Hurrah, boys! Here comes,the captain!* Now I want you to cut out the bright light* and late eats for a while and get right down to hard study.”—Puck.

Dark Rooms in Brooklyn.

The number of dark rooms in Brooklyn, N. Y., has been reduced fromi 192,573 in 1900 to 8,016 on March 1», 1914, The number of windowleaa! rooms has been reduced from 58,544 in 1909 to 501 on April 1, 1914.

Profit From Town Forest.

Forbach, Germany, is said to have, the most profitable town forest kagant It yields an annual net gain of t13.14| an acre.