The sun., 1917-08-21
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
PRAISED BY PETAIN
Commander in Chief of French
Army Inspects General
Pershing's Army.
Special Gable Despdtch 10 THE suS,


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE,
Aug. 20.-The American army in France.
from "doughboy" to commanding ofiicer.
went to bed tonight knowing that the
Commander In Chief Of the French army
believed that soon they would be equal
to any first line troops in Europe.
Gen. Petain. who came to fame from
his heroic defence OF Verdun. spent the
whole day in the American some before
expressing that opinion. visiting each Of
the villages where the men are bilietted,
on an inspection tour with Gen. Per-
shing. At the end Of the day. Just as
he entered An automobile TO be driven
with Gen. Pershine TO the French front
for a visit OF some days, Gen. Petain
summed UP quietly. but In tho most con-
fident words. what his first good look at
the Americans had left in his mind
"DeliRhted" by His visit.
Il am exceedingly delighted with
what have seen during the inspec-
tion." he said. The training has
progressed so well that feel certain
that the American troops will form cn
excellent lighting force within very
short time
Gen. Pershing added an important
word to what was said by the French
commander.
Il am exceedingly satisfied" hc said.
with what / have seen The training
is progressing rapidly and satisfactorily.
The fine spirit OF the officers and ihen
struck me particularly"
But aside from such assurances as
these that the hard work of the last
fen weeks has not been In vain, the
day was a notable one in the American
zone. Gen. Petain's visit was the oc-
casion for the presentation OF decora :
tions to some dreen French officers and
men, II was stirring scene on the
little plateau viewing the green clad
valley when the chasseurs who have
acted as the teachers and comrades OF
the Americans passed In review.
French Heroes Get Medals.
They were in simple light blue uni,
forms. with a single decoration. and
were backed by q line OF French and
American army officers, Cen. Fetan
called name after name OF officer and
ooilu who had acquitted himself well or
! the field OF honor and presented the Lee
gion OF Honor or the Military Medal
which are Frances highest decorations
! with a flourish OF trumpets and kiss
| on both cheeks.
Meantime the chasseurs were forming
| and when Gen. Petain and Gen. PershinR
had taken their places. as far as the eye
could reach the blue lines swept for
| ward The most splendid troops In al
France swung past the officers in blue
and in khaki to the inspiring marches oi
bands
mo wonder Germany never took Yer
! dun" said the Americans as company
after company swept past.
Following the review the French and
American Generals started for l0C
| mile tour Of the picturesque villages
that tho Americans occupy,
Then from village to village went stan
cars flled with French and American
officers. Everywhere they founi th'
same general appearance. the same
straight lines OF olive drab, rifles Al
present and spc and r0an houses ant
barns where the men sleep. The streets
we're swept and garnishcd.
The American soldier In the field ID
| always at his best. The men were keeI
and sunburned and all full OF easernesl
to see the French commander beside thu
! erect igure OF Gen. Pershing. Bot'
officers. keen eyed, passed before thu
lines OF men. pausing here and there t.
compliment the soldierly appearance o
some man.
|
| General Petsin often asked questions
lie quickly remarked that tho American
army hat was a sooi ono to keep on tn
run, ami asked about the chevrons tha'
designated the on-comm'ssioned ON
GERS, which are quite different from th'
, French.
At one village they came upon a nev
Young Mems Christian Association hu
which was very interesting TO the Frencl
chief, especially with reference to tn
American games provided for the mel
and all stopped at the door Of billet I,
laugh at a picture In an American Sun
day paper OF the two Generals in Paris
AS the trip progressed Gen. Petaln ant
Gen. Pershing were more and NOR
pleased, and when they reached a villaG
where some marines were quartered the,
reached the climax.
There two little girls brought flower
to Gen. Petain and tumbled over one an
other In their eagerness TO make q lttl
speech. The French and American Gen
erals kissed them and took the bouquet
into their automobiles.