Weekly journal-miner., 1916-04-12
FRANCE WILL WIN SAYS CATHOLIC
 PRIEST
FATHER RAMPONT AT JER-
 ONE AFTER IS MONTHS SERVICE IN RED CROSS WORK ON FIRING LINE.
(From Tuesdays Daily.)

Der of the Red Cross corps, Rev
 Rene Rampont, priest of the Catholic
 church of Jerome, was rendered
 warm welcome by many friends,
 which kindly feeling also was mani
 tested toward him on Saturday, as he
 was passing through Prescott for the
 southern part of the State to recuper-
 ate his shattered health. He said:
 Constant duty on the firing line,
 from Is to 20 hours each day for the
 past year and half has left its mark. and my health has been seriously af-
 fected. Unable to longer submit to a
 duty of succoring the many who have
 fallen by the bullet or have been
 stricken down by disease, 1 was com-
 pelled 10 ask for a leave of absence
 for two months, and this was given
 me. That my position in this fright
 ful avalanche of human life-taking
 that is raging today among the mil
 lions may be properly understood and appreciated, l desire to say that while
 l am an American citizen, and mem
 Der of the Red Cross Society, my duty abroad on the firing line was confined sacredly to allevating the sufferings of the wounded. although my sym pathies arc with France, the country where l was born, and where also are those of my blood who are so near and dear. I have studied the situa- ton at the front where thousands of
 humans are viciously attacking each
 other and with a courage that is amazing in the valor of the two foes.
 Aside from a sympathetic viewpoint.
 I cannot believe. however, but what the outcome will be triumphant for
 France. Her soldiers are thoroughly trained, and in action are a unit re- gardless ef being under the direct control of their officers. On the other hand, while the German is d splendid fighter, without a leader he is lost. They are mechanically hand led, in short, while the reverse pre- vails with their foe. It seems to be the universal belief of those who should be conversant with inside workings of this vast military ma chinery, that the war will not ter minate before another IS months have passed away and with the cause then won by the Allies
 No, Paris will not be taken, even ii Verdun should fall Imagine, if you please, that with the State capitol at Phoen.x as the objective of an invad- ing army, and if the Pioneers Home in Prescott should fall, the relative situation is identical. SO far as com parisons arc to be made in the terrific ! conflict now going on at the above l point in France. The Germans have | a long way to go to conquer France or even to take Paris. and must sec rifce thousands of their bravest sons |
 From a personal standpoint, this war mas sadly affected my people. My | brother has been shot through both | legs and is now cripple for the rest 1, of his life. My dear sister, also, is | victim of the bullet. Other relatives by the score arc among those who have fallen. and all our property inter csts, the accumulation of many years. have been destroyed. And yet we are patriotic enough to keep fighting or and on, hoping and believing that France will win.
 Let me say this further. Many of us Americans have seen huge celc- brations taking place to commemor- ate the glorious Fourth of July. The air has been aglow for hours with bursting bombs, the shooting sky rocket. the varicolored lights illumin- lting .hc heavens. and other beauties of a peaceful scene. Shift your imae nation to the awful dcath-dealing pan orama that is lighting up every min ltc of the night over Verdun, and in lay is relentless enough to keep mp ts pca'S of destruction without mo- nent's cessation, some faint concep ion will then be had of what foe and .oe arc doing this very minute on the greatest battle front civilization has .ver faced.
 There are many i1 this city who will be interested to learn of Father priest of Prescott parish, yho volunteered and entered the French army last year. He. also, Is ,n tnc firing line. faithfully and patri- { ,tically serving his country with the , Red Cross corps. l saw and talked with him a few days before leaving. nd his noble work requires from 16 O IS hours a day. He desires to omc pack, but says his duty compels iim to remain and this he will do to he end" |