Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-10-18
AUGUSTA LOCALS
GLOWING TRIBUTE
BY ENGlISHMAN
TO U. S.1TRo0pS
Recruiting Meeting for
Third Maine Regi-
ment at City Hall
Mayor Swift Presides
and Great Enthusiasm
S h O w n - Prospects
Good for Local Com
pany


susta and vicinity last evening at City
hail called for the purpose OF stimu-
iating enthusiasm in the now form
ing company of the prospective Third
Maine Regiment there was read by
william r Lawry. one of the speakers
al the meeting, q tribute TO the quail
ties Of the American soldiery now pre-
rarius for participation in the world
war. when. owing 10 the source from
which Il came. is La.ticularly impress
i've The tribute was written by a
rruminent British subject and was
obtained IN letter to Lieut. Col. J.
Y keating, Canadian Army Service
Corps. British VICE consul at Portland.
Nj Iawry had invited the vice consul
10 send a speaker to th2 meeting. but
- there was not sufficient time to ge:
The speaker here, the official instead
mt the tribute by special delivery. IT
D. as follows
1t il clear from the present posi-
tion Of American troops in France that
! mfrica rs whole expected what
subquently came TO pass The Germa Il
shihbaleth Of Deutschland uber Al
lies was no empty boast, but word in
dicatinG resolution on the part of
the kniser and his people to fight and
WIN and dominate the world. The
Americans deciphered the device ac-
curateiy. Without much demonstration.
even without much drilling or organ
izing. their mind kept pace with the
inevitab ble. And now they are in
France near the battle front ready to
Physically they are good men-young
athletic. resolute men. and it is no
boast or hazard TO say that man for
man they 1re incompar.by better
than their German enemies. Those
y no Visited them in Paris, and in their
trimming camps. all agree as TO the
value ~ their handiwork-their tidy
trenches and camps-and their resolu =
tion To be. as we'll organized as the
best French and British troops They
are excellent ma rksmen. Perhaps il is
rot too much 10 say that as a people
tho Americans are the hest marksmen
TO he found anywhere. Their quarters
are admirably erected and arranged.
The men take pride in their tempo
rary homes. in their uniforms andS in
their personal appearance. In drill and
In maneuvering nothing is thrown
away upon them. They learn every
lessor that II is possible for them to
pick up from their French and British
90 MIRA des. and their hearts are in their
work
They have come from the slopes Of the
California Nevadas, and the Alleghenvs,
from the banks of far off rivers in the
interior. from the Pacific coast and At
lantic borders. and they are determined
10 be rs good as their colleagues Of other
nations as soldiers as gentlemen and as
fighters. They will he as good as the
hest and an honor to the Stars and
stripes"
Mayor Swift Presides
The meeting was presided over by May
or Swift, who is member of the COM
mittee appointed by the Rotary Club to
assist In the recruiting work At the
close Of the speaking several young men
signed their names appicants-to-b for
enlistment in the company.
Mr Lawry stated that the physical ex-
aminations will not be given until there
are 80 men enrolled. Dr. OConnor. he
said. has been appointed the examining
physician. The organization will be on
the old plan OF 100 men TO company
II there is suficent interest two COM
ranies will he organized here In such a
case kennebec county can undoubtedly
furnish a battalion OF its own
Judge Benedict r. Maher gave a spir-
tied address which worked to the en-
thusiasm OF the gathering TO a high
pitch. He reviewed the events leading
NJ to and justifying the United States
participation in the war In addition to
the appeal Of patriotism he put forward
the suggestion that after the war the
leaders in all public life will he chosen
from among those who fought the coun-
trys battles.
Capt James F Bagley, formerly COM
mander of CO. NJ. spoke briefly. laving
stress on the desirability Of the prelimi-
nary training which membership in the
militia involves. Former Captain J.
Frank Bilodeau. who was a member Of
the company at the time of tT organiza-
ton told ~ the early days Of Its exist
erce and how for the first two months
the mon were forced TO use broomsticks
instead ~ rifles in their drilling. For
r,e- Lieutenant Frederick Fl Owen and
Robert Faulkner. two Of the moving
t., he rarrtiIftro activity appea1ed