Evening journal., 1917-12-01
BY I'D. L. KEEN.

III VI L. MIN
General European Manager, United
Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Oct. 26.-tBy Mall Sammy
is stiu straining at the leash. But he is
beginning TO understand why he
hasn't yet been turned loose against
the Hun. SO are our good friends, the
French.
At first there was much disappoint-
ment. on the part Of both the Amer
lean soldier and the French people, that
our first contingents were not hurried
along 10 the firing line ss soon as they
had comfortably shed their sea-legs.
said Jacques. Monsieur. you are
mos welcome: but you were much
time coming. We have been lighting
very hard three years. Perhaps, Is II
not so, now you-what you call
hustle some, to make the lost timer
Answered Sammy: "Surest thing YOU
know, Frenchy You can't make II too
soon for us only let US at 'em, and
well show em quick enough what
they're up against
Both have been disillusioned The
Sammies sensed It frst. 10 didn't take
them very long 10 learn that they
were densely ignorant Of this new
style European fighting game. When
the French Chasseurs and the British
non-coms from Aldershot started 10
instruct them in the up-to-date tricks
Of war trade, even the veteran dough
boy began TO suspect that he was only
raw material after ali
a
hard work. Although hc still grouses
he appreciates now tho reason for 1t
all.
And the French people. too. are to-
day viewing the situation In its larger
aspects. As they have watched the
comparatively small first contingents
Of the American army evolve with re-
markable rapidily into modern fighting
form, they have become impressed
with the idea that perhaps after all
II would be better for these men 20
be used as the loaven Of the great force
now steadily assembling on French
soil than 10 employ them on the front
at once Also. that America can per
form greater service for France by
sending to the front. when an Is ready,
big. complete. fully-traiued. ade-
Uately equipped, self-coniained. self
reliant lighting unit, than 10 dissipaie
her strength and imperil her efforts by
utilizing here and there smaller and
less effective organizations.
The French know that the Germans
VIII know the minute American troops
reach the front, and that the meeting
will be anything but a frolic for our
boys. A single division. or even an
army corps. might conceivably be cut
TO pieces If the Germans should deter
minedly concentrate against It, and
then-we would have TO start all over
again.
Hence. both Sammy and Jacques have
been curbing their impaiience. So FAR
as the higher commands" are con-
cerned- American, British. French and
| Iialian-a thorough understanding eX-
lists. One may not say when, where, or
how Americas nrst real blow will
fall; but 70 IS permissible TO predict
/ that II will not happen until we arl
so thoroughly prepared as TO insur'
/ the most effective work possible fol
the Allies and Americas cause
Meantime the pioneer American sol
der in France is becoming a better sol
dier every day. Potentially he was
mighty fine soldier when he FIRST land
ed-even the rookie. You folks wh
knew him at home would scarcel
recognize him now. such has been In
miracle wrought by the combination
of British and French methods Of IN
tensive training-with pershing i'm
| prOvemenis.
saw him in London, marching pas
/ Buckingham Palace, letting Kins
George and his faithful subjects giy'
Lhim the once-ovcr. OF sturdy frame
work but ssllow skin and flabby mus
cles; much heftier than Tommy. but
with slouching shoulders; sloping his
/ rifle according to his individual fancy
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