The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1917-10-18
troops can5t accomplish the same re-

troops can0t accomplish the Same re-
suit?
Around Paris cafes, where non
fighting Americans idle away lot of
time, trying to determine just what
the Washington government should
and should not do, conversation after
this fashion is often heard:
"You must remember that we are
going, up against an entirely new
game. 1t remains to be seen whether
our men can stand the gaff that the
Germans will give them.
"The German soldier is a mere ma
chine; he never thinks for himself
he does what he's told to do; if he re-
fuses he's apt to be shot Ion the spot
by superior officer.
american troops can't be handled
after that fashion because the aver
age American soldier does lot of
thinking for himself. At the same
time he hasn't generations Of iron
military discipline in his makeup"
Our friends just across our north
ern boundary in America have upset
all calculations in this respect.
They haven't tried to follow either
the English or the French style Of
fighting.
Iron discipline is unknown in their
rank, and Canadian officer in re-
turning a salute, thinks nothing of
throwing in little conversation for
good measure, such as GLOW are you
today, lad?"
The Canadians are free and easy
lot, full of pep and craftsmanship,
and thoroly convinced that their Ger
man antagonists are blockheads.
A highly priced trophy held by one
regiment of Canadians now in Elan
ders, consists of large piece of
white pasteboard nailed on stick.
On the board, crudely painted by
some German who understands Eng
lish is this appeal:
Notice, Yanks! You were OPP
posite us on the Somme. We're
tired out. For Gods sake keep
quiet up here and give us a rest!
The Canadians answer was to raid
the German trench that very night
and bring the sign back with them to
their own trench.
A lot of boys from the United
States are fighting in the Canadian
ranks, having Joined long before our
country entered the war. At ran
dom pick out couple and tell what
kind of fighters they are.
There's Billy - from Rochester
N. Y, for example.
Billy was too modest to explain
how he got his medals for bravery
but one of his pals from Toronto tolc
me about it.
"Billy has been blown up three
times, but the Germans can't xii
him." said the Toronto boy. "Th'
last time he was wounded they shot {
machine gun out of his hands anC
Billy's only remark was: "well, I'll b.
damned! / didn't think they coul'
shot that straight!
On another occasion, after Ger
man trench had been captured. Bill.
located an enemy machine gun tina
was firing on his crowd from tn
rear. Jumping from one shell hole t,
another, he got to cover within thirt.
yards of the gun, and from his hidinl
place he threw bombs, killing ant
wounding some Of the Germans. H,
then rushed forward, overcoming ant
bayoneting five surviving gunners.
Then there's johnnie -, whit
halls from Baltimore. He's another
fine example Of what boys from thu
United States do when they get int
action.
He wears medal because he wen
forword one day under hot fire
from German guns and carried bacl
to his own trench his lieutenant, wht
had been desperately wounded in "Nt
Mans Land" leading charge on al
enemy trench.
"I'm mighty keen for the American
boys in our outfit" Canadian Of
/ ficer told me. "They're regular
, devils when they get into action
. They use their brains every minute
too"
Will the American troops make
: good here?
After seeing the Canadians, m!
private bunch is we'll given the Ger
man the surprise party of their lives
~lpIcrIAN cCICNCE cERVICEc