The Alaska daily empire., 1916-12-27
THE NAME OF FRANCE


 Three great outstanding facts have been demon strated by two years and five months of European war. Two of them have long been generally accept ed or suspected conditions but the third not by any means the least important of them. not even dreamed by very large class of the people
 People were prepared for the great demonstration they have had Of the marvellous German efficiency military. economic and industrial efficiency It had been touted in every language and tongue and events have shown that it was not oyerestmated German efficiency has been the backbone of the on the side of the Central Powers Without it. Austria long ago would have been crushed; Turkey would have been banished from Europe year and half ago had been for its sustaining support and deprived Of it's aid Bulgaria would have proved broken reed. German efficiency crushed Belgium. forced it's way 10 within a few miles of Paris. hurled the Russian millions backward again and asoin prevented the fall of Constantlnople. crushed Serbia and Montenegro thwarted the invasion from Salonki. and destroyed Rumania It bids fair to make the great war a deadlock.
 England had been mistress of the lons that people have not been surprised the wonderful performances of the British navy. It has not only driven Teutonic commerce from the seven seas and permitted the Entente Allies to take ali the German colonies. but it has allowed cooperation among the nations opposing the Germans such an extent as ;o make successful warfare possible.
 But the tenacious capacity Of France-the third great central fact Of the long war-has been reve- lation People did not suspect the French capable of the relentless determination the stubborn bravery the do or die spirit that has been displayed. The French defense has only surprised but it has charmed an unsuspecting world. Even the Germans admire the French now. and among neutrais France. always the most popular of the great nations IS loved and respected as never before.
 Dr. Henry Van Dyke. the great divine and author. President Wilson's ambassador 10 The Netherlands has given expression to sentiments almost universally felt in his recently issued poem entitled The Name of France" He writes:
 Give Us name to ru the mind.
 With the shining thoughts that lead mankind.
 The glory of learning the joy of art,
 A name that tells of a spendid part
 In the long. long toll and the strenuous fight
 or the human to win it's way
 From the ancient darkness into the day
 Of freedom. brotherhood equal right
 A name like a star. a of light,
 gave you France!
 Give us a name to stir the blood
 With a warmer glow and swifter flood
 At the touch Of a courage that conquers fear
 A name like the call of a trumpet, clear,
 And silversweet and rOr-strong.
 That brings three million men to their feet
 Ready to march and steady to meet
 The foe who threatens that name with wrong
 name that rings like a battle song.
 I gave you France!
 Give us a name to move the heart.
 With the strength that noble griers impart-
 A name that speaks oe the blood outpoured
 To save mankind from the sway of the sword
 A name that calls the world to share
 The burden of sacrificial strife
 Where the cause stake is the worlds free lie And the rule of the people everywhere
 A name. like a yow name like prayer
 I gave you France.