The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-10-23
French General Causes Play
Ing of His National Air to
Be Regular Routine of
American Camp Life,
BY RAYMOND G. CARROLL,
Special Correspondent Of the Times sps.
elaiiy Accredited TO the American GR-
pedltlonary Forces Abroad.

Copyright, 1917, by Public Ledger Coz
CONTINUED from Monday,)
AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN
FRANCE, Oct. 23.--Perhaps it is real
news and should have been cabled. But
inasmuch as | agreed with those in con-
troll OF the dissemination OF army intor-
nation at headquarters to reduce every
thing to mail copy" from this canton
ment base and in lieu of same enjoy
special considerations, ! will risk the
event being an old story when II reaches
home.
Heard General Petain was coming
from a private Fact In some miraeu-
lous manner enlisted men have advance
knowledge OF whatever takes place.
How they get il is beyond fathoming
it is really occult and defies suppress
sion They call it "the grape vine" ]
At satisfied II a council OF commanders
decided to 60 into action tomorrow
every Johnny in the ranks would know
the point Of attack and the hour. French
and English officers tell me It is the
same in their armies.
oomethlng Like Dewey.
General Petain remained with US for
about two hours, spending the most oi
that time in the company OF Major Gen
eral Peyton c. Marsh, chief Of Ameri-
can artillery in France. The French
general is medium sized, compactly
built, gray-haired man with white
mustache. For some reason he brought
up recolections OF Admiral Dewey. His
sixty-two years were discoverable
neither in his springy step nor his clear
cold eye.
There was no review of troops in his
honor. General Petain is man OF sim
pie tastes who eschews unnecessary
parade ! was quite near when ne
sprang out Of his covered automobile
and advancing TO General March, ex-
tended his right hand with a hearty
Comment ca va" which is the French
equivalent for "How goes it7" An ex-
cecdingly tall man is General March
whose appearance suggests the Grand
Duke Nicholas of Russia Together the
two generals, followed by officers oI
both armies, made All inspection OF the
cantonment buildings
A Master OF Detail.
France knows General Petain as {
master of detail. His rise from the OBJ
Scure colonelcy OF an infantry regimen
to the supreme active direction of thu
French military is associated with hi
marvellous grasp of particulars Moth
ing small nothing insignificant eve
escapes his attention. For instance, OF
his arrival several OF our bands masse,
played "The Marscillaise" in his honor
General Petain thought they played
too slowly. He said so with grea
delicacy.
Later, at the conclusion of the inspec
ton. the national hymn of France wa
again played this time with decided pc
and speed. General Plain listened at
tentively. He was not quite satisfied
In that impulsiye way the French d,
things, he left the side Of General Marc
on the terrace of the officers mes
building and strobe rapidly in the direc
ton of the musicians. He motioned tn
bandmaster to come close The as
tonished leader did so. Thereupo
General Pctan, in a low, well-moduIat
ed baritone voice sang "The Marseil
laise" TO him, emphasizing the correc