The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-18

| by verdun, there are no reserves
left"
But what did find on the
Somme? What is the real truth !?
Exactlv the reverse. The dash OF
the infantry is as great as ever when
, the moment to charge arrives: but
apart from this quality the infantry
have acquired the still higher one OF
fixed determination and capacity
for remaining long hours under a
hellish shell fire which has seldom II
ever been equalled and never sur
passed by any troops in the worlds
history
An almost Oriental stoicism seems
suddenly to have become the domi-
mating factor in the French char
acter. 1t is not the sailen detection
of a people who see no hope for the
future, but who arc. nevertheless, re-
signed to drink the cup of bitterne less
to the dregs. 1t is the determination
which springs from the certainty Of
eventual victory and an apprecia-
be made decisively by fresh sacrifices
and fresh exertlons.
Army Moves BY Motor.
You see this same spirit in all
grades OF the army. Each individual
Has CoHslueTeu tIc ptiSC 0hu ~ piV
pared to pay 1t. Each has placed
his life at the disposal of France
confident that his chiefs will utilize
his services and IL necessary sacri-
fice his life to the best ends. re-
member seeing miles of huge motor
lorries ttransports) rolling past my
windows. For two days the rumbling
of these cars over the cobhles con-
tinued without cessation. Each one
of them contained from twenty to
thirty French soldiers.
A great movement was taking
place. These men were being has
tened from one part of the battle
field to another. In a few hours
they would be in the mud under a
hailstorm of proiectiles at grips
with the Huns. Yet all seemed gay;
snatches OF song reach me as the
every now and again there rose the
deep throated roar Of the Mar
seiilaise."
How calm. how strong, how
crushing this terrible machine 5offre
created has become These invinci-
BILE light blue waves are sweeping
slowly but surely toward the Rhine
and the Meuse. Each unit Is work
ing toward the common goal. You see
the same confident determination In
the sturdy old territorials (called ma
tional guard IN Arnerical at work be-
hind IN lines. These are men who
ia normal times would be contem-
plating a weli-earned repose from the
tolls OF active life. You see II In
the faces of the drivers of thoss
huge snakes OF transport which roll
by increasingly 70 and from this in
etai. -
see 1t. above all. in the ranks of the
indomitahie infantry in the fighting
line.
Yet In spite OF the strain the ma
tural eerfulness OF the French
character constantly asserts Itself
have been in the front trenches a
few hours before an assault There
is always the same perfect GOODNESS
and the same method and provision
no matter what the conditions. The
men who are preparing the trenches
depart" that is TO say. who are
digging steps UP the parapet which
arc to carry them a little further
along the path OF glory toward victory
or death. smoke their pipes, Just az IL
it were an everyday event There is
no excitement. no nervousness. no
furry.
The youngest recruit seems 70 be-
come a stolid veteran within few
hours Of his arrival in the fighting
line. Death II constantly happen
ing among them. and they face il
without hesitation and outwardly
without thought or regret These
are men who have already prepared
their minds for tho supreme sacrifice
to avenge the WRONGS of the past and
to bring to future generations
peace and security they may never
know them selves