Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-29
Today It Is OUR War.

For many days rumors have been
current that a large force Of U. S.
regulars and marines were on the way
to France, but none could furnish the
answer to the question that many were
asking. Some had their suspicious"
and others limited broadly that they
knew certain things which they could
not reveal-and there the matter hung,
until Wednesday evening.
The rumors were true. Yankee fight
ers have landed Somewhere in
France" and the courage and hope of
our French sister has risen with a
bound. If the German people were
permitted to know, the effect would be
as depressing there as it is inspiring
throughout France.
wholly unprepared," the United States
has landed on foreign soil, after pass
ing through a lane of murderous en-
envy sea pirates, a strong force of
seasoned troops and abundant supplies.
No added burden has to be met by'our
Allies because Of this increase in men
and animals for service. The Amer
leans brought their kits, lunch boxes
and blankets They are self support
ing-and ready.
That such an armed force of men
ard equipment could be sent such a
distance in a hostile field without mis-
hap, speaks we'll for the naval convoy
We must expect losses, grievous ones,
In transporting our forces in great
numbers to a foreign field of war, but
the success of the first movement aug
yrs we'll for the future.
Associated Press dispatches say that
the French people are frantic with JOY,
as they behold the Stars and Stripes
floating over marching columns of
athletic American boys on French soil.
Enthusiasm is unbounded, for now they
KNOW that this is Americas war and
millions of men are coming to take
up the cause of France against the
constituencies oppressor.
Can we wonder that France rejoices
in this hour of her extremity in the
lift Of a strong and friendly hand ?
Let US read just a glimpse of today's
everyday life in all France-a life that
is SO filled with heart-rending scenes
and incidents as to almost deaden the
faculty Of the human mind to pity:
Blind and with both arms ampu-
tated he lay on his back utterly
helpless in the white hospital cot,
his face drawn with suffering,
CHASTITY, expressionless. He was not
sleeping, for now and then a leg
would jerk spasmodically and he
would turn his head to one side
with a sudden movement that in
Dictated as plainly as any gesture
could that he was wrestling with
thoughts that scared and wrung
his soul.
NJ. Brieux approached and spoke
to him in his kind, CHEEKY voice.
Corporal. l have some good news
for YOU" he said.
Yes" came the comment wear
lily in the tone of one whom moth
ing that remained in life could in
terest
Here are some friends from
America who have come to help,
on behalf of their compatriots men,
who like you have sacr feed all for
the Cause. They have furnished
the means to double as long as you
live the pension of 1900 francs the
Government allows you"
The ghastl face turned up from
the pillow and seemed to be strain
ing to see through the huge blue
spectacles that hid the dressings
over the sockets emptied by a let
of liquid fire. 1t went crimson, then
the color faded out as quickly as it
had suffused it and between blue
lips that trembled came the eiaCu-
lation:
oh! my mother"
This man is one of Widows four
sons. One of his brothers has been
killed in battle. The other two are
fighting at the front.
That bit was written by Mrs. r. VAL
entine Webster. honorary secretary of
the A. B. F. B. with headquarters at
New York in a fresh appeal for Amer
lean assistance for the blind victims
of the war.
1t is one side of war-only a small
bit Of the hell that was dumped on
France in August, 1914. It is enough
meaning Of war in our own land-blood
and brutality and horror on every hand.
Can we permit it come nearer to us,