The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-12-20
DIR. FOSTER HAS
!. GREAT MESSAGE
THRILLS q. OF |. STUDENT BODY
WITH HIS ADDRESS ON
THE WAR
SPEAKS AGAIN TONIGHT
HAS BEEN AMONG THE MEN IN
THE TRENCHES AND KNOWS
CONDITIONS

CONUIIlONS
IF we had conception of the dan
ger confronting the American armies
if we had a conception of the heroi
suffering of the French people, w
would not Tolerate for moment al
able-bodied American who refused tt
work and we would not tolerate thu
man who presses enormous war prof
its from any industry, for the question
with which we are confronted today
is whether or not we are going to be
able to preserve the blessings of dem,
ocracy for our children"
This was one of the ringing state
ments made this morning by President
William T.~Foster of Reed college in
an address on the American troops
now in France delivered before uni
versity assembly audience
Deep Impression Made
Speaking forcefully and directly,
through Informally, DR.. Foster, who
has only recently returned from the
western front, talked from the store
of experience that fell to him as a
representative of the American Red
Cross war council, relating the incl
dents that studded his address with
that vividness said to result only from
first-hand observation.
When Americans Arrived
Beginning with an expression of
appreciation for the welcome accord
ed him, he launched at once into
description of the arrival at small
French seaport town of the first Amer
lean troops to cross the Atlantic,
narrating number of unusual hap
penings of the frenzied greetings given
them by the French and of the long
journey to the American cantonment.
He spoke of the difficulties the
Americans had encountered III their
attempts to make their village billets
sanitary and told several human in
terest" stories of the life in the first
few weeks of training
"Lead Kindly Light"
Speaking of the inconsistencies felt
by the men he related the story of a
group of American boys who gathered
one Sunday night for an informal song
service. They sarg number ct
hymns quite acceptably, he said hut
when they came to the line in Lead
Kindly Light" "the night is dark AMI
| am far from home," their voices
uuavered and broke and the gatH' r.
ing dispersed.
DR.. Foster spoke warmly of the
physical condition of the American
troops, saying that they were better
fed and better equipped than any 9TH
er soldiers he saw in Europe and that |
they had achieved an unparalleled
health record.
That French Spirit
Pausing to praise the work being
done by the army Y. M. G.. A., the
speaker passed on to a consideration
Of general conditions in France and
A eulogy O fthat "indomitab1e French
spirit which has survived three years
If Prussian domination and destruc-
ion"
He 4 dressed his admiration for
he heroism of the women of France,
stating that if conditions were known
Ill Americans would feel proud to
,e able to share the sacrifices of these
sisters of theirs in the common cause
f democracy"
Those Who Block the Wheels
He urged the continuation of the
var knitting custom for the sake OF
he French people as much as for the
american soldiers and closed his ad-
ress with sharp arraignment OF all
hose who are in any way obstruct1ng
he nations war program.
ssThe time has come" was his final
tatement when we must pull out VI /;
lie way everyone who is impeding the
omplete mobilization of the nations
uman and material resources, in or
er that we may go safely through
q the road to democracy"
DR.. Holland Speaks
President Foster was preceded by
resident E. 0. Holland of Washing
IN State college, who, in a brief talk, n
Congratulated the university on it's 7
pportunity to hear DR.. Foster and
aid warm personal tribute to Pres c
lent Lindley. Il
DR.. Foster is to deliver an address
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