The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-16
Stage Brilliant Re-
view for Commander.
Z. S. Forces RemOdeled After
European Standards.
ENDLESS" LINE ON PARADE
Gather From Dozen villages
Where They're CHARTERED.
Indicates Uncle Sam Has Good
Sized Army There.

American Field Headquarters in
France, Aug. 16.-The review yester-
day by Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert
of all the troops of his command IN
training for the trenches afforded
military spectacle of international
significance and historic import. 1t
was the first time that the troops of
this particular unit of the American
army in France had been assembled
in its entirety and the display they
made was deeply impressive.
There have been other reviews OF
American troops in foreign lands-in
the Philippines, Cuba, Guam and
Panama-but there seemed to be an
entirely new meaning to the sturdy
France today. One saw in them the
symbol of their countrys new adven-
ture.
They made me feel very proud,
declared Major General Sibert last
night, echoing the sentiment OF
small but enthusiastic little handful
of Americans who were permitted to
see the martial display The setting
for the review was one of rare beauty
1t was held upon a broad and some
what rocky plateau with the rolling
fields of France ripping away in every
direction, all green and brown with
growing crops and ripening grains.
Here and there picturesque little
French villages, white walled and red
rooted, snuggled amid the trees of
matchless valleys.
Hear Bombing Nearby.
Occasionally these valleys were
bathed in sunshine and again they
were hidden in the gray mist of rain.
At one time during the review a rain
storm broke over the marching troops
but it was only of brief duration and
there was not a falter in any part of
the line. There is an officers bomb
ing school near the point where the
the troops were assembling and
marching by. loud explosion of hand
grenades in the near distance gave to
the picture a touch of war reality.
Very early in the morning the
troops were on the move. They were
scattered in a dozen or more French
villages and each regiment was as
sembled in a village where its head
quarters had been established.
The new army regiments are mod
elled on the European standard quite
different from the old American regi-
ment and when on the march yester
day in column of tours the line seemed
to stretch an interminable distance
along beautifully paved French roads
lined with giant trees AS the Amer
leans passed thru the French villages
enroute to the reviewing field the
French peasant folk gazed open eyed
in amazement and admiration.
They have seen much of the Ameri-
can soldiers individually and in COM
panies since their arrival, but this was
the first gathering in force of the new
ally and the impression it made on the
village farmers and French soldiers
on leave, could easily be seen and ap-
preciated.
| 1t was the first time an American
| army had passed in review under its
new organization and the display was
a most imposing one.
| In telling of his pride in his COM
mand, Major General Sibert said:
IT am particularly proud of the
showing the men made today for they
were not parading before admir;ng
/ crowds either of homefolks or of for
eign friends.
! "It was merely a military ma-eu-
yer for them and they did it splendid
ly.
Put Thru Field Maneuvers.
81 was surprised at their facility at
field maneuvers, considering The fact
| that since they have been here their
| training consisted almost wholly of
| the technical side of trench warfare
with all the new paraphernalia of Of
| fensiVe and defensive tactics. Outing
! their spare time away from trench
practice they have been drilled in
close order tactics but today had The
opportunity to show what they could
do in the field. The result was most
| gratifying and encouraging
The place and hour of the review
were not disclosed until the day be-
| fore. WAS this to avoid possible