Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-07
NO WONDER VOLUNTEERS
FLOCK TO FRENCH COLORS
Schooimatc OF Amherst County Pro-
lessor sings Prnise of People
for Whom He Fights
Especial to The Times Dispatch

Especial TO The Times -Dispatch.1
LYNCHBUHG. VA, June 6.-rrofes.
sor a. NJ. C. Manchester. Of the faculty
OF sweetbriar College. Amherst County.
recently had Il letter from a former
schoolmate, who went TO the front with
the French army last summer, but who
is now incapacitated for duty by reason
OF injuries After describing his suf-
ieFihss from rheumatism, the soldier
writes:
Living in mud holes two yards deem
ana one yard wide. walking at night
through the forests strewn with wood
en- crosses and big holes burrowed by
/ ncaFy German artillery shells, not TO
mention the ever-present noise OF
bursting shells and rife shots-alI that
old chap is not pleasant. But that life
gives YOU some excitement which has
Its charm. while life in a depot is hi
When they haven't one excuse for lock-
ing you up or Fostering you, they find
another Luckily. l am secretary to
the captain of my company. and enjoy
perfect freedom al present. Still, [ am
bored TO death, especially since | know
there is no hope OF my being sent back
10 the front To take an active part in
the war. That same feeling is found
among most Of the mon who by some
reason or other, are destined to dry
up in "A depot. Then we are told our
services are needed and that we are
serving France.
Here at Orleans everything seems
normal except for the presence OF SOL
dters In such large numbers You
strike very few civilians The restau-
! rants and cafes are filled with pcople
VINO do not seem to be anxious to weep
over war Tn" women are especially
! brave. II you ask them: Where is
your husband" In the trenches is the
a rule the women will smile sadly, but
they show a stoical resignation One
even said to me, when deploring the
! great number of wounded and dead
Well, YOU can't make an omelet with
! out the eggs
The poor women suffer They receive
20 cents a day from the government IL
their husbands are under the flag. and
! 10 cents extra for every child. Those
who can get work make tents and SOL
diers' clothes. an occupation which pays
! them about cents an hour. How these
| poor women manage TO live, let alone
] smile. on that little money. is be-
! yond me.
I Confidence? haven't met any one
yet who questions our chances of ulti-
mate success. They may kick about
this or that. but they all believe we
! will win. though every ono is aston
( !shcd that the war has lasted so long.
/ One remarkable fact. when you CON
slider the French temperament: no one
( balks at the extreme severity Of the
military regime which rules the entire
4 country. And still more remarkable
, no one discusses or even darcs to criti-
cizc the strategy OF the generals at the
head of the staff. Every one has con-
/ iidcnce in Joffrc. II is remarkable.
Well old boy, this is the only Cos
| sip that | can think of that would he
/ interesting to YOU. The trenches have
cured me- of all love for rustic dccora-
lions. don't know how long | shall
he able 10 resist the temptation Of set
Ting down In France That's God s
country. The people are so friendly
and know how 10 live. Even though
am only a soldier with a penny day, T
live most agrccahly among the wittiest
people on earth. II isn't wonder that
volunteers came from all parts Of the
world To fight for such a people"