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ON THE WAY TO THE FIFTH ARMY 63
" Is not the calm here wonderful ! We seem to be living to-
night in the most absolute peace, and yet it is but a couple of
hours’ drive to the firing line," observes my Imperial host
after listening to a short, concise and satisfactory report
made in a ringing voice by an officer who has just entered.
" Yes, your Imperial Highness, I had imagined the Staff
Headquarters of an army to resemble a buzzing beehive, but
now that I have the reality before me, I find no trace of anxiety
or nervousness, nothing but calm and assurance everywhere.
But what I should like to see most of all would be a battle,
for I suspect that in common with most other civilians I have
formed an erroneous opinion on this subject."
The Crown Prince smiles and answers :
" Yes, battle painters
like Neuville and Détaille would have little use for their art
in these days. Of the fighting men one sees practically nothing,
for they are concealed by the ground and in the trenches, and it
is rather dangerous to get too close to a bayonet charge—unless
one’s duty takes one there. Generally speaking, the distance
between the fighting forces increases with the improvement in
fire-arms. Those who have the best artillery have the best
prospects of winning. To us the field-grey uniform is a great
advantage, as we merge into the colouring of the ground, whilst
the brilliant uniforms of the French are visible from afar.
To see a battle is practically impossible—not even the Com-
mander directing it sees much of it, his direction is effected by
telephone and is dependent on information and reports
received, which in turn are carefully sifted and weighed. For
a spectator to post himself on a height in the neighbourhood
is not advisable, for then he may be sure of being taken for
an observer directing the artillery fire, and becomes at once
the target of the enemy’s shells. You shall, however, during
your visit here be allowed to witness all that it is possible to see."
What life and spirit at the Crown Prince’s Headquarters !
Everything was gay with the freshness of youth, and devoid of
restraint. No trace of the stiffness of court ceremonial. Even
General Schmidt, who usually maintained the strictest dis-
cipline, was infected by the prevailing spirit of camaraderie.
But owing to the terrible burden of work which rested on the
shoulders of the Chief of Staff, it was not unusual for him to
come in for his meals after the others. The supper, or rather
the talk after it, went on till about eleven—these were the
only hours when one could meet in quiet, for during the day
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