The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-07-09
Pershiing's Men
Settle Down In
Torn France

Since hearing the glad news Of the
arrival of our first transport of men
to France, people have daily scanned
the newspapers for particulars. The
New York Tribune published q very
interesting article, by Haywood
Broun. The following items are Sc
Ilected
The dawn was gray and so was
the ship, but the eye picked her out
or the mist because of two broad
yellow stripes which ran the whole
length OF her upper decks. AS the
ship warped into her pier the stripes
OF yellow became so many layers Of
men in khaki, each motionless and
each gazing toward the land. "Well,"
said a voice from the ship, this
should be better than the Texas
border" Most of the men were tam
ned and all marched with a swing
and precision that caught the eye of
the few townfo1k already UP and
stirring. Their bands blared tunes
new to France. Dixie" was the one
most played. School was abandoned
for the day and big crowd of wo-
men and children and old men stood
on the quay to cheer their new ally.
Since little things are important
at moments when history is being
made it may be recorded that the
first remark Of the first soldier to
land was: DO their allow enlisted
men in the saloons in this town."
This was followed by, "Is there any
place in town where fellow can get
a piece of pie or something to eat?"
But within three hours after the first
contingent had landed the Ameri-
can soldiers were in their camp and
made a meal of beef steak, beans,
baked potatoes, salad and apple pie.
The veterans Of the Mexican border
seemed to feel that their small
stocks of rigid Spanish should be in
telligible to the French, but they
soon fell back upon the sign Ian
guage, with the rest of their fellows.
Upon arrival the men hustled off
the ships quickly. AS they marched
away from the pier toward their
camp they passed within few feet
OF German prisoners. They were
close enough to shake hands or to
bayonet them, but they did neither.
The Americans made little of their
first chance to meet the kaiser's men
face to face, while the Germans at
titude toward the Americans was
simply one of interest How do
they look?" captive German SERGE
ant was asked. "Oh, they look all
right" he said. "But what difference
does that make? You can't tell any
thing about them vet. They don't
lift their knees high enough" he add
ed but smiled at his own little joke.
General Pershing said, The physi-
cal appearance of our men is truly
inspiring. They are all fine husky
young fellows, with the glow of en-
ergy, good health and physical vigor,
which will make them credit along
side any troops. They are excep-
tionally we'll camped and cared for.
with substantial wooden barracks.
good beds, good food and the best of
sanitary arrangements. They are To-
Gated on high ground. For all this
we are deeply indebted to French
cooperation with members of my
staff"
The French authorities today
,urned over to the American military
police the necessary authority for
discipline in the town,
which is now overwhelmingly Ameri-
IAN in appearance and public life.
New and stringent regulations,
which forbid the sale of spurious
liquors to any man in uniform,
which regulates the hours the men
may be admitted to or served in
,afes and restaurants. The new
,rder permits those attached to the
military to visit cafes only between
he hours of o'clock in the evening
md o'clock in the evening on week
lays and from 10 o'clock in the
morning to 9 o'clock in the evening
N Sundays. Officers and men on
cave are permitted a little more
liberty. No one in uniform may
tilize the popular French terraces
Sidewalk seats-until after 5
clock in the evening.
The ban on spurious liquors
leans that the troops here will
enceforth be able to order only
eers and light wines.
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