Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-23
Press correspondence.)

Boulogne, Dec. 19-The great endur-
ance and fighting ability of the native
troops from India who have come to
take part for the first time in history
in war against white troops on Euro
pean soil have astonished those against
whom they have been pitted as well as
the allied commanders except the
British.
The only question which arose in the
British officers mind was whether the
Indian would be able to stand against
artillery fire, to which they never had
been subjected In the frontier wars.
This has been answered in the affirm
ative, and they have proved as steady
under shrapnel fire as the best of their
white comrades In arms. Not only this,
but the commanders Of the allied
armies aver that they show dash and
fearlessness to a remarkable degree
and have on many occasions displayed
great initiative under the most difficult
circumstances.
The civilian population makes much
of them when the opportunity arises,
but their discipline is strict and this.
added to the difficulties of language
prevents any possibility of their be-
coming spoiled. When they are wound
ed or sick, however, the civilians pour
showers of presents on them in the
way of warm clothing. Delicacies for
consumption are not appreciated, for
many of the men are forbidden by the
rules of their caste to touch food pre-
pared or offered by person of another
sect. Also they have no desire for
dainties, their simple "chupatty" or
bread. which they bake themselves in
the field being all they want in addition
to their ration of goats flesh or poultry
and rice.
In a suburb of Boulogne before the
entrance of great field covered with
many regular rows of tents stood a
bronze figure as still as a statue. 1t
was a Sikh in his uniform of khaki
guarding the sanatorium in which
some hundreds of his slightly wound
ed or ailing comrades from the battle
field of Flanders were recuperating
from the hardships of the campaign
These warriors from the Punjab and
Bengal are their fellow soldiers, the
little hardy Gurkhas and Porthans and
Jats from the mountains on the Az
CHAN frontier, generally bear the vari-
atoms of climate with the greatest for
titude. They declare they are fighting
for their RAJ or Emperor and 1t is
not for them to complain.
Just as well drilled and disciplined
as the soldiers of any European power.
they go into battle with the full assur-
ance that they will be victors When
they first went into action they dis
lot % II
trenches and darted across the open at
their opponents enemy with their bay
onets and knives much to their cost.
They have since learned, like all the
other troops engaged in this war of
rabbit warrens, to bore their way
through the earth to get at their foes
and they have proved even more adept
at this kind of fighting than their Eu-
ropean comrades.
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Paris, Dec 19.-The address present.
ed to Ambassador Herriek by
French officers and soldiers treated at
the American hospital at Neuilly. ex-
pressed their deep gratitude for the
care and attentions they have receiv-
ed at the hands of Americans. They
declare they can never forget the beau
tiful example of brotherhood shown by
the United States during the war and
by Mr.. Herrick. They respectfully beg
His excellency, Mr.. Myron T. Herrick,
to convey to the American people the
expression of all their gratitude, and
to tell those beyond the seas that the
entire French army understands, at
this crucial moment, the whole i'm
portance of the magnificent action of
it's American friends"
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Dixmude, Dec. 19.-The Allies Mu-
sic HALF is half a mile behind the
French firing line near Dixmude, in the
first barn on the right. 1t is devoted to
variety, exclusively, but the perform
ances are not guaranteed to be contin-
uous. The directors reserve the right
to interrupt or to change the program
and substitute artists without notice.
Reasons for this precaution1 are obvi-
GUS to anyone who has heard the Ger
man shells go screening through the
air over the barn.
A candle here and there, stuck on a
bayonet, does as well as it can in the
place of calcium lights, and ammuni-
ton boxes. when one knows how to ar
range them. make very good stage.
The performance begins soon after
the relief of the guard in the trenches,
The troupe, as well as the audience, is
composed of "allies" of all colors;
British, French. Canadians, Meors,
Sikhs, Hindoos. Algerians, Senegalese
generally covered with the mud of
the trenches of Flanders. The program
consists of songs, monologues, recita-
tions and dances.
One performance concluded with the
singing of popular choruses in French
and English.
The chorus of the last song was in
terrupted by different reginental bugle
calls, and the audience and performers
dispersed precipitately to join their de-
tachments for a dash to the trenches
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Havre, Dec. 19.--"No matter how
fierce the attack, the men in the
trenches are kept well nourished, -
writes a French soldier. Fresh meat,
beans, lentils, dried peas or rice. cheese
or sardines, preserves or a cake of