Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-12-29
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proofs that they possess the brilliant
dash which carries a position with
tho bayonet, and defies the heaviest
Darrage, and stoicism which can re.
main passive and undismayed through
out long bombardment.
They have also shown that they
possess that highest form OF courage
which calmly faces the slow approach
OF death. On the 18th Of February,
1917, the steamer "Athos," having on
board a battalion of Senegalese, was
torpedoed by submarine when about
two miles from Ma'ta. The troops
were at once drawn up, and, obeying
commands as calmly as IL on parade,
they lowered the boats and trans
ferred the women and children there
to. Some Of them plunged into the
sea four or five times to rescue pas.
sengers who had been seized with.
panic and jumped overheard. Until
the last civilian had boon placed In
safety, not single Senegalese left
the two torpedo boats which were
escorting the ship There remained
on board only the guard on duty, con-
sisting Of a section and q half, when
the "Athos" suddenly plunged at the
hour of 1910 p. NJ. AS the ship
sank, the guard was seen to draw up
In line aud present arms to the flag.
impressive and unmoved, they stood
until the waters swallowed them up.
Honor to the Heroes The High
Command has preserved their mem
DRY by General Order to the Army.
The battalion gave tho most splendid
example OF GOODNESS and discipline.
The sentries died ut their posts in
the discharge Of their duty. Although
they had not yet received the bap-
tism of fire" they had proven them
selves soldiers Of the highest order
maintaining IL their discipline and
calmly performing their duty in tho
face Of imminent death. ., .,
APPRECIATION. MILITARY AND
:. CIVIL.
:. One OF the most valuable QUALITIES
of the Africans is tho rapidity with
which they become trained soldiers.
Already habituated, by hunting or by
native warfare, to take the utmost
advantage Of tho formation OF tho
ground in finding cover, It is only
necessary to teach them the manage.
ment OF their riffes, which is RAPIDLY
acquired. Their natural quickpess OF
eye enables them to become expert
shots in very short time, and in n
Few months they are fit to take their
place In the field in line with the
pest OF troops. General Achinard
an experienced Colonial officer, who
mas often commanded Frances Ma
1--WE Armies, after describing the dif.
ference between the various groups
comprised In the "Tirailleurs" Sene.
CALAIS, says "All Of them can be proud
to be called shortly "Tirailleurs' ms Is
the custom dn France, for all of them
nave formed brave troops who have
covered themselves with glory. There
are great qualities which are com.
mon to them ALL; courage physical
strength, endurance Of fatigue and
prlVations, an appreciation of iustice.
attachment to those who treat them
with kindness and are interested IN
thetr welfare. They are little aub.
1ect to being moved by danger. Like
the French, they are susceptible TO
emulation, and Inclined to rush MT an
obstacle. and 20, run to meet a danger
rather than to wait for it, so much
80 that the crys'a la baionette' some
times rises from the troops as nm
order to those in command. They
submit readily to discipline. In pri.
ssa!e !, ne they hTs strongly attached
~ their coahtsSs and y family. iytha
BACKS even more $50 than the Arabs.
ana their dream is always to return
nome with .somei little savings, to cul.
,tlvate their fields with ,tho help of n
humorous family, quite happy IL they
emJoy pension, and especially IL al
lowed TO hold some official position.
After referring to the care necessary
IN the selection of such officers as
VIII treat theirj mon with sympathy
ana consideration, and the great adj
Vantages which such officers can oh.
tam from these admirable troops the
General continues: ''Well led, their
ilralilerus will give them the sub.
lline pride of having vanquished the
most formidable enemies against
Wnom we ever had to fight and of
haVlng covered themselves with glory
by preserving civilization and liberty
10 France, and the world Let us love
our Iirailleurs'; let lis treat them
WIN kindness and respect; they will
reward us by not sparing themselves
III the field of battle. AS they are
pesiae us IN danger, so let them be
beside us in honor" /.
!. FRANCES appreciation Of, and graf.
itude for, the services. OF her Colon.
,als has been, voiced by NJ; Maginot.
Inc late Minister of the Colonies on
the occasion Off the recent Colonial
conference ,clnl'er'ealn In + Paris: "Foreigners
are somewhat tempted to consider
our possessions as sort OF provi.5
sionai domain, where on peace SCI
ment each one can dip Accord ~
ms wants and particular as ~.
! desire to say here that
on our Colonies as for
raj part of France. n
moment when the
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long IN th o.S..o'iei a. the .ght to be-