IN THE BRITISH TRENCHES.

Evening Star, Issue 15777, 14 April 1915, Page 3

IN THE BRITISH TRENCHES.

MOST CHEERFUL .SPO T OX EARTH. - WHEX’S KIT C HEX FIT S ARMY COM 1X0?” London ‘Times’ and Sydney ‘Sun’ Services. LOXDOX', April 12. A correspondent who spent a- night in the new British trenches defending tho shell-torn earth which the British won at Xeuvs Ghapeiie says: "There is no nuire cheerful spot under tho British flag. It was worth a sleepless night to mix with the soldiers who suffered sia-h hard knocks. Tho rumors from London complaining of the heavy cost of this victory are not shared in the trenches. The soldiers understand tho situation and are prepared to pay tins prior ~L success. ! They point out that the ground was gained with no heavier fosses than the Hermans sustained. * A lot of our fellows wore killed, but this time it was pushing the Germans instead of trying to hold them. You can't realise,’ said a Tommy, ’unless you have been fighting since .Moms, how this bucks up our chaps.’ “ Round braziers made by holes punched in buckets and tins gather the soldiers off duty, warming themselves, frying bacon, Ixtiling tea, and passing careful'!;.- along the trench, keeping their heads below the parapet to avoil bullets. Dark patches are visible in the moonlight between thy opposing trenches. These are masses of prostrate bodies in the attitudes in which they fell. The Germans did not ask for an armistice to bury their dead. iVb.cn the British previously asked it was refused ; therefore the corpses remain, a grim testimony to tho actuality of war. Despite occasional sallies of wit exchanged. the jesters are careful not to show their heads lost the joke should prove their last. At dawn, where the trendies are 60 yards apart, ‘Good mornings' are exchanged. One English-speaking German celled out; * When’s Kitchener’s army coming? We •want this blankr-ty blank war over, so as to get home.’ Tommy replied ; 'Don't got 1 down-hearted, my dear; you’ll know when Kitchener’s men arrive, hecaneu you’ll be travelling faster than you want.’ “The Tommies are full of admiration for tho skill of the Germans, but th-me is universal confidence that the Germans have shot their I T. One Irishman declared ; ‘The Gera : - need licking-, and when Anybody tv-■■■'.- licking that’s the place for fighting 1 tom’ X'otm of tho soldiers In Convey.-ir on gloried in tho war, but all were d--' •-nr ned to stick to it till a decisive , t had been gained." The n-rvspnndent concludes; “ Xcuvc Chapel;e : 1 s given us confidence m our sfrengtlu We have tested our organisation for the offensive, and demonstrated the power and precision of our arGHerv.”