Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-08-25
DR.. v. c. SPEAKMAA
Tells OF Great WAR
Trouble Getting Whining
ton Ambulance in Service
After Reaching France
PARIS ASSUMING
FORMAL ASPECT

Two interesting letters have been
received by friends in this city from
DR.. and Mrs. William c. Speakman,
who are in France where they have
been doing active relief work with the
American Ambulance Corps. Mrs.
Speakman. who recently suffered a
nervous breakdown and was in hos
pital at Paris, is much improved. In
the course of her letter, Mrs. Speak
man says:
u am afraid l have undertaken too
much for my own good as far as my
health is concerned. In experience,
however, / feel that shall come home
rich and better for it. We, Mrs. War
rem and myself, we're not allowed to
go with Dr. Speakman. Mrs. War
rem is giving valuable services to the
American Ambulance at Nuilly in the
face and jaw wards. / am satisfied to
make myself useful in a more modest
way and can assure you that there is
plenty to do for willing hands. They
have nearly 600 beds occupied at the
American Ambulance and from what
hear. every hospital is full. The AL
lies are doing nobly; may they con-
tinue. II will take them a long while
70 get there but they will eventually
do so.
I'VE are having sunshine; some
thing new for Paris Il is so beauti-
full to see the aviators flying against
the blue of the sky. One hears them
all the time. Parts is assuming its
former aspect degree by degree. A
new line of BUSES is running from
BGstille to Place de la Republique, an
other line will be opened on August
and except for the blue soldiers, and
the besses. alas! so many, and the
darkness at night and the lack Of
color in the women's clothes and the
women where men used to be, Paris is
the same. There is plenty of food,
laboratories are busy making drugs
and dyes that used to be imported and
on the whole France has everything
in her favor for coming on top" as
they say in the States.
DR. Speakman's letter states that
owing 10 discord between the men,
bers of a couple of organizations the
Wilmington ambulance car was held
at Bordeau for over a month. Con.
corning the car Dr. Speakman in his
letter says:
During this time I fought like a
tiger to pry it loose and only sue
ceeded after a few recognitions had
taken place. While waiting l saw both
the French and English cars. The
Wilmington car did not measure up
TO what is required in this country, so
! busted myself in making it not only
the equal of the others, but surpasses
them This was no easy task in the
face Of the scarcity of workmen and
fittings: some days / would search
for hours for some little thing that in
Wilmington / could find In half an
hour | found a place eight kilome-
tres out of Paris where ambulance
work was done so there I went and
worked right with the workmen until
had it right and so that I was proud
of the car and Wilmington
The dental service is a story in
itself. After l started the Whining
ton car, the Minister of War, the late
General Gallena, in report to Presi-
dent Poincare, called attention to the
valuable services that dental men
who happened to be in the modified
service had rendered, and suggested
that such a service be organized and
regulated and equipped. President
Poincareacquiesced in the demand and
NJ. Justin GODDARD, chief of the service
de Saute. issued the orders Of service
and requirements, one OF which is
that the dental surgeons must be
holders of diplomas granted them by
a French faculty and recognized by
the State. These regulations were
made last March after / was under
way. |. of course. knew nothing OF
them. and this was another Of my
difficulties. The chief, or as we
would say the dean Of the Dental
School of Paris, came to my rescue
and one or two French officials.
"rhe French officials are splendid, 81
the Wilmington Ambulance will rende
the service for which it was made an'
eouipped. IL has taken time; you cOul'
build an Office building in the sam
number of days, but everything take
time in war France has gone at TIN
thing in cold, determined, slow an
sure business like manner; nothing !
done in a rush, every paper is made on
with care and only after being cocl
sure. The nation as a nation has cease
to live for business, for politics, but
in the business of crushing Germany
It's going to be done, sre's guns iron
nothing can stop it, Germany is doom
ed. France is prepared to fight for an
other ten years; she Is stronger ina
this time last year, she is stronger tina
she was at the beginning Of the wa
England has now announced that sh
is ready. A Russian told me that thel
soldiers at the beginning Of the wa
were not even armed, many of thel
only had 4 sword. others a revolver, an
when real guns were handed out I
them the men Rugged them with gle
and polished them and gloated over thel
like a champion would his favorite go
stick.
"a French officer told me a coupl
Of weeks ago that our lines wer
growing stronger, heavier and better
and from my station | see the Ger
man lines are thinner and thinner
but the same officer said TO me: Thu
Germans are fine soldiers: they ar
fighters
"A few correspondents had a con
ference with General Joffre a FEY
days ago, and one of the correspond
ents / know told me the story. II
said all the correspondents cam
away with the impression that Joffr,
Is giant"
DEFER SCHOOL OPENING.