Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-08-03

In fact. British soldiers have q curiOusly de-
tached and generous way of regarding their coun-
try's enemies. When the German soldier IS
taken prisoner or picked up wounded the British
soldier is disposed a hundred thousand in
stances show, to treat him as a pal" TO divide
his food and share his cigarettes with him as he
passes TO the base.
In the gladatorial fights for the entertainment
Of the people in ancient Rome the defeated COM
Blatant was expected TO expose his throat TO the
sword of the victor. and any shrinking on his
part caused the arena TO ring with the angry
shouts of the thousands of spectators. Receive
the steel =" By all accounts, the Germans have
dislike of the bayOnet. They might well be para
lyzed, indeed. at the affrighting spectacle Of that
thin line of cold steel welded by a furious Irish
man but if the bayOnet were in the hands Of
soldier of any of the other British nationalities
his cry to the German that recoiled from its
thrust would probably be Receive the STEEL ex-
pressed in the rudest and toughest native idiom-
The way of the Irish al Ginchy was different;
and perhaps the Pronunciation Of their revenge
was not the least magnificent act of q glorious
day.
IF we Drained them on the spot who could
blame US? 'Tis ourselves that would think IT no
sin if it was done by anyone else said private
of the Dublin FusilierS Let tell you" he
went on what happened TO myself. AS I raced
across the open with my comrades, jumping in
and out of shell holes and the bullets flying thick
around US laying many fine boy low. said to
myself: This is going TO be 4 fight to the last
gasp for those of US that get to the Germans
AS came near the trenches picked man
out for myself Straight in front OF me he was,
leaning out of the trench. and he with rife fir
ing away at US If were rabbits
Il made for him with my bayOnet ready, de-
termined to give him what he deserved when
what DO you think?-didn't he notice me and
what was up TO Dropping his rifle he raised
himself up in the trench and stretched out his
hands toward me. What could you do in that
case but what did? Sure. you wouldn't have the
heart 10 strike him down. even If he were to kill
you.
Il caught sight of his eyes and there was such
frightened and pleading look in them that
at once lowered my rifle and took him by the
hand, saying. You're my prisoner?
q don't suppose he understood word Of what
said; but he chung to me- crying, 'Kamerad!
Kameradr 1 was more glad than ever that
hadn't the blood of him on my soul. It's queer
thing TO say maybe. of 4 man who acted ike
that; but. all the same, he looked a decent boy.
every bit Of him.
Il suppose the truth OF it is this: We soldiers
on both sides have to 90 through such terrible
experiences that there is no accounting for how
we may behave. We might be devils all out in
the morning and saints no less in the evening
Trench Repartee and Trench Favorites.
The relations between the trenches include
even attempts at an exchange OF repartee. The
wit. as may be supposed. in such circumstances
IS invariably ironic and sarcastic. My examples
are Irish. for the reason that have had most 70
do with Irish soldiers. but they may be taken as
fairly representative OF the taunts and pleasan-
tries which are often banded across No Mans
Land.
The Germans. holding part Of their line in Bel
GUM got TO know that the British trenches oppo-
site them were being held by an Irish battalion
Hello Irish - they cried. How is King Carson
getting on, and nave you got home rule yetF'
The company sergeant major big Tipperary
man. was selected 10 make the proper reply, and
in order that it might be fully effective he sent Il
through a megaphone which the colonel was ac-
customed TO use in addressing the battalion on
parade. Hello Gerry" he called out I'm
thinking it isn't information We want, but divar-
shion: bur It's information I'll be after giving We
MI the same. Later on wen De sending We some
run that'u make ye laugh at the other side OF yer