The Crown Prince

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 October 1915, Page 3

The Crown Prince

FRENCH SOLDIERS INTERVIEW. "a lmvo inul an opportunity of speaking with a Flench non-commissioned officer," says the Central Ntnvs special fcolrrespondent in Northern France." who has had tho distinction of being in terrogated by the German Crown Prince during the few hours' captivity he recently underwent in the Argonne. "The man, Rene Destouches, is a corporal in the regiment ol infantry, who has been through tlie whole campaign, he having left for the trout ou the third day of mobilisation. He is now enjoying a I'oav days' leave with his parentis at .Uerguos, in Northern 1" ranee a few miles Iroin the Belgain border. "Destouches wars recently captured and taken before the Crown Prince, with whom was an elderly officer wearing the Iron Cross; and when Destouches was introduced to their presence tho Kaiser's heir was laughing heartily at some remark made by his companion, to whom his Imperial Highness had offered a cigar. The audience kyle place in one of several square tents on low-lying ground just bifinnd the German second line trenches, the tent being lighted by two oil lamps. "The Crown Prince," said Destouches, "looked thin and tired, wit (seemed nervously elated. With in.-; hands in his pockets, lie continued to pace up and down the tent. " 'Well, Destouches,'' lie .said, derisively, "What do yon want here? What were you up to when yon were captured? He spoke m Frencli, which was perfect except for a slight accent whicn was more nasal than guttural." "1 was doing my duty," replied Destiuches. "Are you such a good patriot that

you always do your duty?" asked tho Prince. "Most ol your compatriots whom we captured are glad to be out of it and well looked after. ' "Since you ask me, ' said Destouches, "1 can only say j. nnd life in a Gorman prisoners' camp is not so terrible alter a II." After receiving several vague, • equivocal answers to otlier inquiries, the Crown Prince yawned wearily, threw away his hall-smoked cigar, and, with a sad smile, remarked. "I'm afraid you arc rather stupid, jJestouches, and don t keep your ovens upon. Si ill, we can lind out these tilings lor ourselves. He signed to Destouches's escort to remove him, then turned 011 his Jieel suddenly and said. ' f suppose your chiefs never tell you lion badly things are going with you." "-No." replied Dcstouches, signiliautly "but they frequently express their gratitude to us. There is 110 nood to tell lib how things are progressing, for every mau of us sees for .himself that the situation is excellent." Less than ten minutes afterwards, 1 powerful countiM-attaek uy the Pleach retook the lost ground, and in the confusion of the iiaud-to hand 'codnbat "which followed, De.stouches was left practically unguarded. Proliting by this fact and the darkness, lie made good YiTs escape, and, before regaining the Prench lines with the attacking party, actually took part in the lighting, though armed only with a knife which lie borrowed irom a comrade.