New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-08

consumption | became so familiar with
last winter in the English papers. But
when you really got TO the front you
would never have thought this was a
conscript army. These were men nght-
ing for a principle. and they were
there not because they had TO be- Dut
because they wanted TO be there 10
fight for their country.
They took all the hardships OF camp
life in the most cheerful manner. and
through all the toll and drudgery the
effervescent gayetY of the French spirit
came out against strong background
of determined purpose.
French Morale Never Better.
There was a colonel. who said to
me:
"Tell your people the morale OF the
French army was never better. French
soldiers are determined TO tight to a
final and decisive victory. | say THIS
not only for the officers but for every
man in the army"
| believe this to be literally true. |
have seen hundreds of thousands OF
French soldiers, officers and men, and
/ have never seen one who was not
cheerfully ready for any task he was
called upon to perform; nor have /
ever seen one who was not supremacy
confident IN the ultimate result.
1t may be asked why does not the
army 90 forward faster. have asked
that question myself at the front ana
was smilingly answered.:
I'VE are not pressed for time.
believe that to be literally true as
expressing the spirit of the army.
I'll lheN
have given the reins to their country;
they have a specific duty to perform
for their country, and they are doing
il in a most thorough and consclen-
tous manner.
Nothing could be imagined more thor
oughly and solidly done than the wor-
on the French front. Their trenches
are not built for to-day only. Ihey
are monument for the future.
Believed To Be Impregnable.
do not believe it possible for the
Germans to break through that line.
I believe. with the French army, that
when the Germans turn back from us
sia TO the French front again they VIII
wear themselves out against that I'M
pregnable line, and then will come the
turn of the French, and their bursting
shells will write victory across the no"
desolate fields.
| hope / shall be there TO see IT.
have been with the "Poilu" behind mis-
lines and have seen him in his camp;
I have seen him turn from camp ana
set his face in grim determination toE
a weary march 10 the front and long
unceasing, silent vigil in he hrst iihe
trenches have seen him IN Re
trenches standing with ready rlne pc
side his loophole. | have seen MIN
snatching an hours sleep IN the cug-
out beneath the trenches while snells
hurst overhead. ! have seen MN re-
turning from the trenches TO camp
tired. dirty and always cheerful nave
seen him carrying pals OF soup shG
coffee and sacks OF bread from PENN"
tho lines 10 comrades in the hrst me
trenches. and | want 10 see MN ano
he with him in that hour OF ultimate
yic.orv for which he works and waits
so patiently now.
The French soldier in this war is
revelation. As Paris is a changed CITY,
60 does the French soldier at the 'front.'
reveal the deeJ heart OF the nation.
On our last night at Nancy we arahS
q toast 10 the officer OF the GENERA
Staff who had with so mucn thoueh'
fuI courtesy been our guide along one one
hundred miles OF the battle line. nc
thanked US in few sppreeistive WORDS
and then we drank 10 France; ana TINS
time there was the real depth OF emo
ton in his voice end his WORDS as ne
told us how much more he ielt IL thaI
we should drink TO his country IMAM 10
him. -. -. French
army.