Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-12-29
THE RIuHa1oasp PI.ANIT, yIRazN1A


proofs that they possess the brilliant
dash which carries a position with
tho bayonet, and detles the heaviest
barrage, and stoicism which can re-.
main passive and undlsmayed through.
out a long bombardment.
They have also shown that they
possess that highest form OF courage
which calmly faces the slow approach
Of death. On the 18th Of February,
1917, the steamer "Athos," having on
board u battalion OF Senegalese, was
torpedoed by a submarine when about
two miles from Malta. The troops
were at once drawn up, and obeying
commands as calmly as If on parade,
they lowered tho boats and trans
ferred the women. and children there
to. Some of them plunged into the
sea four or Ave times to rescue pas
sengers who had been seized with
panic and jumped overheard Until
the last civilian had been placed In
safety, not a single Senegalese left
the two torpedo boats which were
escorting the ship There remained
on board only the guard on duty, con.
sisting Of a section and half, when
the "Athos" suddenly plunged at the
hour Of 1910 p. M. AS the ship
sank, the guard was seen to draw up
in line and present arms to the flag.
impressive and unmoyed, they stood
until the waters swallowed them up.
Honor to the Heroes! The High
Command has preserved their mem
DRY by General Order to the Army.
The battalion gave the most splendid
example of GOODNESS and discipline
The sentries died at their posts in
the discharge Of their duty. Although
they had not yet received the = bap-
tism Of fire" they had proven them.
selves soldiers Of tho highest order
maintaining Il their discipline and
calmly performing their duty In the
face of imminent death. ~.
APPRECIATION, MILITARY AND
CIVIL.
:, One of the most valuable QUALITIES
OF the Africans is the rapidity with
winch they become trained soldiers.
Already habituated, by hunting or by
native warfare, to take the utmost
advantage Of the formation OF the
ground In finding cover, 1t is only
necessary to teach them the manage
ment or their riffes, which is rapidly
acquired. Their natural quickness or
eye enables them to become expert
snots In very short time, and in a
rev months they are fit to take their
place In the field in line with the
Desl OF troops. General Achinard,
on experienced Colonial officer, who
mas often commanded Frances Ma.
1--WE Armies. after describing the diff.
ference between the various groups
comprised In the "Tirailleurs" Sene.
gaials, says "All Of them can be proud
TO be called shortly Tirailleurs' as is
the custom On France, for all OF them
nave formed brave troops who have
covered themselves with glory. There
are great Qualities which are com.
mon TO them ALL; courage, physical
stIength, endurance OF fatigue and
pIiVatlons, an appreciation OF Justice,
attacsh 1i to those who treat them
hmitn klndness and are Interested in
their welfare. 'They are little auh.
lect to being moved by danger. Like
lne trencn, they are susceptible to
emuiat1on, and inclined to rush at On
opstacle, ana to run to meet danger
rather than to wait for 1T, so much
80 that the crya la baionette' some
times rises from the troops as an
older TO those In command. They
submit readily TO discipline. In pri-
!, ase 8 ne ~. tnneey fipe strongly ettacned
lacks even more $50 than the Ara 10
anu tne siiT dream is always to return
stiyate their fields with thn helm of =
numerous FAMILY, quite happy IL they
enJoy 9 pension and especially if al.
it usst 70 mold some official position
IN the selection of such off,cena :.
VIII treat their, men with symno inv
and consideration. and tho great nd.
Vantages which such officers can oh.
tain from these admirable troona tIn
General continues: well led. their
:.Tiraillerus' will give them the amh.
lihe PRIDE OF having vanquished the
most formidable enemies apo,nst
WON we ever had to fight and OF
ny preserving ci, ilization and liberty
to France and the world. Let ma 1--we "
our Tirailleurs,; let sns treat than,
reward us by not sparine tbennsaiuaa
W.. -, .' hH'SpfCllS. f1AB tney are
Issue besi US IN danger, so let them be
beside us in honor RI ~ g
\. = FRANCES al appreciation Of, and graf
atude for, the services Of her Colon
.ials has been voiced by M; Ma,,in Of !
the late Minister OF the. Colonies on
the occasion Off the recent Colonial
conference In ii Paris :S "Forei gnera
are e somewhat tempted to consider
our possessions as sort of provi.
slonal domain, where on peace Set
m ll' each one can dip Accord IA
MS wants and particular as ~
! desire to shy here that. .
on our Colonies as for .....
raj part OF France. IA
moment when the
Colonies have ;,,aiu a. ... 500
upon the battlefield the ,,bt - NO
wa 90 ~ :, ~ ~ 81 slana fIehcH family that