The daily Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1916-1917, 1917-09-04
FRANCE NEVER thinks
OF FINAL DEFEAT.
George R. Lamade Writes of
Heroic Efforts of the Poi
lu and People.
GOOD CHEER ALWAYS
Members of University of
Missouri Unit Are Near
the Flying Shells.

George R. Lamade. a graduate of
the School of Journalism of the Uni
versity, member of the University of
Missouri unit of the American Field
Service. in an interesting letter to his
father at Williamsport, Pa, says that
France never has a thought of final
defeat. With his brother, Ralph NJ.
Lamade, he is driving motor trans
port trucks, hauling munition supplies
from the railway spurs to the trench
es. His letter says in part:
1--WE have been in France a month
today and 1 am going to write you
my impressions of France and the
war as nearly as l have been able to
form them in this time.
What q difference it makes when
nation is fighting an offensive war
on its own soil. German shells wreck
town and hillside, unmindful of the
women and children, needless of all
wanton destruction. France pushes
ever on, regaining foot by foot, at
frightful cost in lives and money, the
land so easily won by the Huns in
that first wild drive across Belgium
and towards Paris But in all its Wig
or, France is ever aware that it is
French soil it is regaining; that same
soil will again be homesites and
farmlands of Frenchmen.
In the Thick of the Fight.
1--WE have stood in our shell-laden
trucks under the protection of hill,
awaiting nightfall to successfully
complete our task of hauling shells
to the French batteries. And we have
seen the top of the hill blown away
foot by foot by German shells in an
effort to uncover French battery. We
have been wakened out of sound sleep
by the hum of Boche planes and the
explosion of bombs they have dropped
on hospitals and homes housing only
defenseless men and women and chill
dren.
''The French batteries pound and
our French planes sail forth and re-
turn, their bomb racks empty. But
it is ever the invader, the destroyer
of homes and happiness, the cripples
of children, that they are after
What could deaden more the aim of
artilleryman or aviator than sight of
armless children, the defaced shrines
along the wayside, the complete and
partial destruction of Frances archi-
tectural delights-her churches and
cathedrals, centuries old, found in
nearly every village? Is it any
wonder that France fights on with
never failing courage even after three
years of war?
There is never a thought of final
defeat. Even more pronounced than
in the states is the belief here in
ultimate victory. From poilu to gov
ernment there is no doubt. From the
old men and recuperating fighters
working at the powder depots to the
dirty, smiling soldiers in the trenches,
the outcome is no secret. France
shall win. But just what time it
shall take to completely humble
Germany is an uncertainty about
which few care to wager Never
do they say less than six months
never more than three years. But
three years or six months, notwith-
standing, an allied victory is certain
French Always Cheerful.
DIRTY smiling faces! To me it is the
marvel of the war how the common
soldier of France retains his COM
placency, his good cheer, his happy
frame of mind. The first company
of troops 1 saw was returning from the
trenches for a period of repose. Their
great coats, so welcome during these
cold nights, so burdensome during
the hot days, were covered with sticky,
clayey mud. Their dirt-caked boots
must surely have deepened the
trenches. Their weary step and un-
kempt appearance. these all bespoke a
discouraged, disconsolate group. But
beneath each bearded face was a
smile. A smile Of joy at leaving the
trenches, I thought.
Then passed another group of men.
Their coats and boots were minus the
mud. Their cheeks were smooth
shaven, their accoutrements bright
and clean. They were headed to-
wards the battle line. Yet they, too,
were smiling and calling words of
cheer to the children by the roadside,
standing heels together, hand at
salute. Why this good cheer, thought
1. Are they not taking their turn in
the trenches not knowing when may
come the command, over the top and
ahead?
"Still others passed. Each group