South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-03

~'the blood Of his enemy, thinking that
thereby he drew into himself his slain
foes strength. In the blood is the life"
says the Bible.
And so blood enters intimately into
the life Of the primitive. Woman, closer
to the past than man, answers and thrills
10 its call. When the men of to-day go
TO war she promptly answers to all these
sub-conscious. these hereditary memories.
These are her men. her big, strong men,
going forth to fight for her. They are
her heroes going out to bring in the NAM
moth for her food. She does not think
Of them as human units going forth to
fight for patriotic ideals. They are going
forth for her. The memories Of the past
rise in force and dim the facts of the
present Emotion surcharges her. She
kisses them.
Let us consider now the factor OF
color. Woman, as have said, being saw
age loves color Unfortunately. The as
semblage of vast number Of uniforms,
which in the case of soldiers are of un-
usual colors, is intensely pleasing TO
her. Even khaki, which Is neutral, be-
comes positive 10 her because it is not
commonly worn by man in civil life.
But Of all the colors there is one, com
pelling both TO women and men and sin
gularly compelling TO women-it is red
In every flag it has the same significance
blood. And there are few flags in
which il is lacking. The flag had its
origin In war; and nothing is more print
tive than war. Not only do the flags
bear the impression OF their savage birth,
but similarly do the nations emblems
The eagles OF Russia, OF Germany, OF
Austria, the British lion-all are crea-
lures o. prey.
The primitive thrills TO the primitive.
War calls forth the savage in woman.
This red paper on my desk I will see
four times, perhaps, while ! am looking
fcf something else. / will even stop to
examine it, forgetting what it is seek,
so strong is its lure. Red is chosen for
a danger signal, not because it can be
seen farthest. AS a mater Of fact red
il one of the colors that fades quickest
from view at a distance. Bright scarlet
can be seen farther than khaki, il is
true. but there are other colors seem
ingly duller, that can be distinguished
at distances where scarlet does not show
Red is chosen for a danger signal be-
cause il attracts attention imperiOusly.
red tie. red bow flower on the
lapel. red flag among a group Of men,
all these will irresistibly attract women.
Ii moves them subconsCiOusly.
And the color OF war is red and wars
men TO women 90 bathed in that COM
polling color OF their master.
| would advise all lovers, all husbands.
always 10 have some touch OF red about
their clothes.
And so we see il is not the men them
selves who are kissed. What is kissed
is the symbol. tho ancient ideal The
soldiers are kissed because of the uni
form and the age old memories it con-
jures up in woman's breast. II there Is
any doubt Of ii put row OF ten uniforms
in one window and len men in civilian
dress in another and see which window
draws the most women.
/ found the strongest proof OF this at
the Massachusetts muster ground In
birmingham, only few miles from my
home. ] saw a company prepare 10 en-
train. The girls who lined the route
gaZed az the men lOngingly until one. q
little holder than the rest, rushed out
and kissed a soldier. Her example was
all that was necessary. AS IL at a signal
the other girls picked out the militiamen
and kissed them necessarily until they
were on the train. Even then a few
succeeded in getting themselves held up
To windows TO continue the kissing