St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-06-27
PROF. MICHAUD
TALKS AT ARMORY


Professor Regis Michaud, of Smith
College, member of the American Am
bulance Corps IN France for the past
three years, spoke TO one of the 1arg-
est audiences that has ever gathered
in the Armory on the occasion of the
Red Cross Rally last evening. Prof
Michaud gave graphic description
of the conditions on the. war front in
France, and told of the war from the
French point of view. Charles w.
Steele, chairman of the local Red
Cross Committe presided at the meet
ing. After few remarks by Mr.. Steele
and the statement of results of the
Red Cross War Fund Campaign, the
American Battle Hymn" new un-
published song, by Judge Wendell
P. Stafford. was sung by the North
Church Choir, composed of Ralph
Howes, Frank Fl Brooks, Miss Maude
FNlensby and Mrs. Ida Brooks. Pro-
fessor Michaud was introduced and
received with acclamation
The professor told of his first news of
the declaration of war by the Europe
an Countries, of a request for his ser
vices, his answer to the call, and the
resultant trip to France. The boat
on which Prof Michaud sailed form
this country had on board about 600
Frenchmen who were returning to
their native land to take up arms
against the invaders. He described
the stirring scenes as the boat pulled
away from the dock at New York. the
cheering and waving of handkerchiefs
the blaring music, and then the long
wait, during the transatlantic trip,
for news of the war. The first re-
ceived was when the oat landed in
France. The homecoming patriots
were then told that the Germans were
within ten miles Of Paris.
| Professor Michaud spoke of the
spirit of the French in this time of
| trial. He said the people had the ut
most faith in Joffre and his staff, and
the wounded soldiers coming in form
the battle lines were cheerful and
only eager. to get back once more to
| the fray. "But the Germans never
got to Paris, said the speaker, they
| are on their way back to their own
/ country. 1t may take a long while
but they'll go alright"
| Prof. Michaud upon arriving in
France was told that his services
would be most valuable with the am
mulance corps, and therefore he pick
ed that line of duty. The speaker
told that the ambulance corps mem
bers had much dangerous work to
do in that it was their duty to go to
| the lines and assist and rescue all in
| jured men whether French or German
The professor continued by describing
conditions before the war. He said
| that the French people as whole
were not enthusiastic about the war;
that they are not and never were pro-
fessional fighters like the Germans
They fight now because their coun-
try and lives and ideals are at stake
and according to the seaker, they
fight well with such a purpose behind
them. 81
Germany, said Prof. Michaud, pre-
vious to the outbreak of hostilities
had a complete spy system all over
France Men travelling in the guise
of statesmen were in reality German
officers ready to take up arms at 8
moments notice, The speaker, in re-
ferring to the resistance of Belgium
to the Germans, compared the case t.
our resistance at the time of the Rev
olution He said we at that time would
not stand for tyranny and that the
Belgians were made of the same met
tie.
Professor Michaud spoke agains
war Down with War! Kill it,, HI
exclaimed But he added to tht
| statement that those in this country
who talk pacifism and SANDER thu
president and the country to gain thei
ends, play into the hands of the Kstise'
/ and are traitors. The speaker sait
that war was to be stamped out nov
only by increased warfare. Th'
American people like big jobs, he said
They have one, now that they ar
lighting the Germans. The Speake
went on to tell of the German peopf
AS individuals in his opinion they ar
fine citizens. They are good fighter
and intelligent, but they are labor
ing in this war under a delusion tha
) they are fighting for some great ideal
The German nation is solidly behin'
the Kaiser says the professor.
He was given an ovation as he re
sumed his seat He returned to tn
platform later and spoke briefly i
French to the French people in tn
audience.
Mr. Steele took the floor and an
nounced that a collection for the Re
, Cross would be taken up. Severe
2 women dressed in regulation Red Gro
nurse uniforms passed baskets aroun
and a good sum was obtained.
: The meeting was closed by the sing
G ing of America, by the entire aud
: ience, led by the North Church Choi
: FIVE MEN GET DEGREES.
y