Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-12-29

ldfclS at Ill nOuTS. OF. the day or
night, and their sudden bursts of
singing and dancing were CALLING or
tedious to the J Frenchman. It was
therefore decided to separate African
and European troops, and this has
been done without Womdfng the bus-
capabilities Of the former, or convey
ing any idea Of privilege to the lat
ter. On the contrary,'it has tended
to increase the good feeling on both
sides, as the respect and admiration
engendered by the emulation of the
battlefield; iB no longer clouded by
petty chickering's over mutual incom.
patibilities in barracks.
MORAL SAFEGUARDS.
Ono great advantage to tho African
Of this separation is that he can be
always under the care of the medical
men who know him at home; who
understand his constitution, alis
/ wants and his diseases. He remains
under the sole control and care of
the officers and non.commissioned
officers who superintendent his re-
cruitment and training, under who,
perhaps. he has fought an African
campaigns, and, who are proud of
the splendid soldiers whom Aihey com.
mand. Under such men the "Tirail-
leur" Is at his beet and has rendered
brilliant service to that France which
KNOWS and appreciates his worth,
abotht as soldier and man.
~ This separation likewise facilitat 8
the protection Of the African from
the dangers arising from the vast
and sudden change In his moral en-
vironment to the temptations or civ.
ilization, and undue exaltation from
the fiattery, attentions and almost
Alteration showered on him, and the
subsequent disillusion. TO this end
he Is surrounded in his quarters by
an accumulation OF those, triflles
which give u 'thone atmosphere. y
There he finds the camp laid out az
ter the manner and, as much as is
\ possible, In the style Efof 4, mis- own
country. with native foods, native
music, dances and songs. He can ait
on "a mat woven in his home, under
a covering Of his own country thatch,
and, surrounded by his compatriots,
indulge in his beloved "palayers,''
and discuss with his intimates the
news Of home, tho latest letter, the
health Of the old folk, and the pican-
eninnies waiting for his return.
In this way his African spirit and
mentality are preserved, and he IL
protected from the contamination
j and degeneration Of contact with the
Spurlfous OF an advanced civilization,
&C ;:s"'hich he would probably. see only
the worst side IL left to wander at
large. Thus the first OF the two cues
lions has been answered in the affirm.
alive and It has been proved that
with proper attention to his hygiene,
and given sufficient supplies of warm
clothing, and good food and shelter,
/ the tropical African supports the
European winter and loses none of his
high soldderly qualities. t53@
UNDER SHELL FIRE.
The second question has received
an equally affirmative answer from
all the officers who have commanded
the "Tirailleurs" in tho ,flerciest can.
nonades of the war. The only occar
sion for raising the question at all
was the fact that in his own country
the African is accustomed to open
warfare, to the charge upon the
enemy, and the clash Of hand to hand
combat with crossed weapons. This
style Of fighting calls for quite diff
ferent type; OF courage from the grim
endurance required to submit to a
prolonged bombardment by heavy ar
{ tlllery under which, no reply being
posi- bic, the soldier must contain him
self calmly by an effort OF the Will
3 until the order to act comes from his
officer. But to this trial also the
( u u
4 Here Is the official record OF Fako.
/ Doumbia, Of the 51st Senegalose bat
talon: Serving at the observation
post OF the trench he was three times
buried by proisaLiles, three times re-.
leased himaoii and resumed his most
With phe gfeatC9t calmness. Contin.
ued on duty 3sNtil relieved by the
commandant ofanis company. ss$ \ d
Fort Douamont, which had gained
renown for It's obstinate and nro.
longeds defense by the French during
the German rush on Verdun in 1916,
was defended by the Huns with equal
obstinacy when the French began
their counter-attack this year, but
was recaptured at last. In the course
of the attack battalion OF the 'tTi-
raiEeurs," together with one Of the
Poslus. was held up by an artillery
barrage in front and machine gun fire
On the TANKS. A veteran lieutenant
OF the "Firailleurs" cautiously rails.
ing his head. shouted to his mon.
How now, Tirailleurs' "are we go.
ing to stick. here?" "Forward!" The
'Tirailleurs" bounded forth carrying
the "Poilus' with Them in their rush.
They passed he barrage, and captur,
Ing the fort, raised the tri-color once
more upon its walls. ,.a
THE HIGHEST TEST.
The "Tirsilleurs' have siven ample