A Bourges correspondent says: “Among the spectators acclaiming the
French artillery passing through here were four lads, the eldest about
13. Several marches later the boys were found in a circle of the troops
partaking of the mess.
“They swore to follow until they came in contact with the enemy and to
lay down their lives for their country. A collection was immediately
raised among the soldiers. The boys were terribly depressed at being
compelled to return home afoot, charged with vagabondage under the
military law. The magistrate, with tears in his eyes, acquitted them.”
“PRISONERS NOT WANTED”
Telegraphing from Rotterdam a correspondent of the _New York Sun_ says:
“An American who arrived here from Berlin said to me:
“‘As the Berliners have been treated to a long, unbroken series of
bulletins announcing German victories and have an invincible belief in
the irresistibility of the German army, I asked why there were so few
English prisoners.
“‘The reply was: “We are not troubling ourselves to take many. The
hatred of our men for the British is uncontrollable.” This was
accompanied by a gesture which indicated that the wounded fare badly.’”