New-York tribune., 1917-07-01
Germans Just Looked


r.. American regulars had come.
The two Frenchmen looked at the
men On the transport and cheered. The
Germans just looked.
In few moments gangplanks were
sown and the first American eXpedl-
ticnary force began TO click heels on
French soil. Since little things are
;npor.ant at moments when history is
being made, it may be recorded that
the first remark Of the first soldier
10 land was: DO they allow enlisted
sr.n in the saloons IN this town"
This was followed by. as there any
Mae. in town where a fellow can get
piece Of pie or something TO eat?"
A qery which was repeated again and
gan during the course OF the day
WIS, Don't any Of these people talk
American
The men hustled of the ships quick
ly. As they marched away from the
pier toward their camp they passed
within few feet OF German prisoners.
They we're close enough 20 shake hands
or to bsyonet them, but they did
neither. The Americans made little of
their first chance 70 meet the Kaiser's
men face to face. while the German at
titud. toward the Americans was
simply one OF interest
@How do they look" captive Ger
man sergeant was asked.
"Oh. they look all right" he said.
But whs. difference does that make &?
You can't tell anything about them
yet"
"They don't l;ft their knees high
enough ne added. but he smiled at
his own little joke. The men looked
very vell indeed. The trip had not
served 10 put them out Of fettle. In
deed, il had been calm journey, with
the exception OF one day Of turbu-
lsnce
All types Of soldiers are to be seen
in the ranks. There is plentiful,
sprinsling OF recruits. but they are
vell fsnked By men who have seen all
tne service possible in Americas prac-
tee wars.
Most Of the men are tanned, and all
msren with a swing and precision that
esugh, the eye % the few townfolk al
ready Up and stirring.
Their bands b.arcd tunes new TO
france. Dixie vas the one most
played. School was abandoned for the
DAY, and big crowd o. women, chill
cren and old men stood on the quay 10
ehesr their new ally.
The camp site had been prepared b.
me frencn authorities several weeks
izo, but y lies within a short distance
OF French post, and no one knew the
mo - wooden frelters we're intended
ior Americans. There was almost no
confusion m settling INTO camp, and
t.ppAes were Kept a. the heels OF the
men. within three hours after the
hftt contingent had landed the Ameri-
can soloieTs we're !n their camp and
maze meal of stesk, beans, baked po--
i@toes, salad and apple pie. A general
" ~ command o. the expedition, when
"a accompanied By a rear admiral.
I.hofr o. MARINES are in camp. SOL
osfs ana fsi!Ors were granted leave 20
rti ne town late IN the afternoon
sh' therc vas Immediately terr1hc
asasult On picture postcard shops and
t.,hlse,ipnery stores, cafes and TO-
Talked in Signs
The veterans of the Mexican border
s.smsa . feel that their small stocks
ei ngl1 spanish lho1ld be eligible
We french, but they soon fell BACK
sy'h ne slgn language, with the rest
l FER fellows. There seemed " be
ss'eJ man in The army who knew
ngis phrase ~ French, or any word,
hs.s1, szcept "Oui.'
40. french made an effort 70 meet
~ nsinrs halfway J saw boy eH-
who ~. reader - a soldier and e1plai
I a i.2nully nOmeiy picture, when
.Dy,Ss1 ior al the world like cater
k1sr' ySg IN fact Chenille" The
~ sfest that a chenille was 70 ugly
ma y sss without doubt German and
ne few French soldiers in town
rrsNfnizsd freely with tte newcomers.
- szSmlned their sccoUtrement
rn interest and showed their own
sssh helmets and medals. The Amer
~iclsr >tiil calls his French com
i "fr,2gy," but there ~ no sting
~ a. Hf Tors. There wcre a number or
i.'hsh Drisoners and with these the
,..srtshs had little dlMculty in con
,,.'ihg, for not a fen ~ Uncle Ssm's
s- came from Wisconsin. and one or
n. - 'itse English with decided Ger
'r.sn and German was banded
nc fortn, and even the tapnt Of
A.. 49,. PER Drsonef. "You're not going up
.,l grszssrg This time" failed 70
| any rsssntmsnt.
tS'1s'f1 smeng The American sOldies
ny D1esrth much familiarity Or
E.'Hsneinz - the phrase, "To rnAkr
y "'fh tafe for temDeracy." ~ vii