New Britain herald., 1915-11-27
ST. CYR CADETS
 AID IN FIGHTING
Graduates Of French "WeSt
 Point" Win H0nOrS

Correspondence of The Associated Press.'
 Saint Cyr, France, Nov. 5.-Saint Cyr, the West Point of France, made heavy sacrifices to the country in the first year of the war. Nearly 2,OOO if it's graduates were killed, includ- ine. 2S7 of the 2.000 cadets of the classes, of 1914 and 1915. >hirty- one of these young officers were deco rated with the cross of the Legion of Honor. nearly 700 of them were cited Tn orders of the day and more than 300 were wounded. Altogether more Saint Cvr men perished on the battle fields of Morhange, Charlero1, the Marne. the Aisne and in the Vosges than were killed in the battles Of Austerlitz, Eylau, Jena, Wagra1n' Moslxva. Montmirail and Waterloo Nearly as many died on the field or honor from August 1, 1914 to August 1. 1915 as had previously fallen from the date of the birth of the academy in 1902.
 On July 20, 19-< the class of l9lo was drawn up iii the spacious court of Louis XIV, and with impressive ceremonies entered upon it's military career under the name of Crolx Du Drapeau (Cross of the Flag) each class at Saint Cvr always receiving at the time of kle promotion dls- tinctive name.
 Patriotic Poem.
 Jean Allard Meeus, the poet of the class, recited a patriotic poem, his on- lv contribution to literature but one that will make his lynne enduring. When he had finished reaoSng his in spring lines a voice cried out from among the exalted thousand young patriots:
 Swear, all of us, that when we go into action it will be In full uniform with white gloves and plume flying in our shakos."'
 thousand voices blended in one reply.
 We swear it."
 Some war correspondents have thought to have discovered some d'Artagnan's among the French sol- diers at the front. With the cadets of Saint Cyr the spirit of Cyrano de Bergerac and the cadets of Gascogne may surely be said to live again.
 Kept His Oath.
 The soldier poet, Jean Allard Meeus, kept the oath that he had ta- ken. He went into action in full uniform the most conspicuous target of all, leading his section to the sault, skld was one of the first to fall. On August 22, at Charleroi, second Lieut.. de Fayolle, of the class of the "Croix du Drapeau," received his bap- tism of fire. Under a furious she'll ing by the German artillery his men hesitated. Lieut.. 'de Fayolle turned to encourage them but perceived that though he had kept his VOW to go into the fight with his white gloves, he had forgotten his red and white plume. Immediately drawing it out of his knapsack, he stuck it into his shako and the section, electrified by his example, rushed forward.
 You are going to get yourself killed, Lieutenant" cried a corporal.
 "Forward! Forward! was the young soldiers reply as he bounded forward at the head of his men. A few minutes he law inanimate on the Charleroi battlefield with a bullet-hole in his forehead directly underneath the red and white plume.
 Lieut.. de Castelnau was member of the "Montmirail" class. He, with his section, held the enemy in check half day and at the very moment when he had succeeded in throwing them back received his death wound.
 Comment By Father.
 "He had a noble end" was the comment made by his father, General Carieres de Castelnau, on being informed of his death.
 Second Lieut.. Lanquetot, aged 19, cited in the orders of the army for lis presence of mind in taking com mand had been wounded, and for the courage, coolness and energy he showed, was a "Croix do Drapeau" man.
 Second Lieut.. Wacher another
 Crolx du Drapeau' man with his sectlon held a bridge head an entire cay in order to facilitate a difficult retreat. He got every man awav safely at night and in good order most creditable achievement when if Is COnSl6aro1