The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-12-01
LET US LOOSE
CRY AMERICANS
SOLDIERS IN FRANCE HARD TO
HOLD BACK TILL PROPER
TIME COMES
BY ED. J.. KEEN

FRANCE-Sammy is still straining at
the leash. But he is beginning to un-
derstand why he hasn't yet been turn
ed loose against Hun. So are our
good friends the French.
At first there was much disappoint-
ment, on the part of both the American
soldiers and the French people. that
our first contingents were not hur-
ried along to the firing line as soon as
they had comfortably shed their sea-
legs.
Said Jasques: Monsieur, you are
mos welcome; but you were much
time coming. We have been fighting
YER hard three years. Perhaps, is it
not so, now you-what you call-hus-
tie some, to make the lost time
Says Sammy to Frenchy
Answered Sammy: "SEurest thing
you know, Frenchy. You can't make
It too soon for us. Only let us at 'em.
and We'll show em quick enough what
they're up against"
Both have been disillusioned The
Sammies sensed it first. 1t didn't take
them very long to learn that they were
densely ignorant of this new style
European fighting game. When the
French Chasseugs and the British !
from Aldershot started to |
instruct them in the up-to-date tricks
of the war trade, even the veteran
began to suspect that he
was only raw material after all.
And So Sammy buckled down to
hard work. Although he still grouches
le appreciates now the reason for it
LII.
French on the Watch
And the French people, too, are to-
lay viewing the situation in its larger
aspects. AS they have watched the
comparatively small first contingents
# the American army evolve with re-
rapidity into modern fight
ng form, they have become impressed
With the idea that perhaps after all it
Tould be better for these men to be
sed as the leaven of the great force
ow steadily assembling on French
oil than to employ them on the front
t once. Also, that America can per- L
orm greater service fox Frence by
ending to the front. when all is ready.
big, complete, fully-trained ade-
uately equipped, self-contained self
eliant fighting unit, than to dissipate ;,
er strength and imperil her efforts
Y utilizing here and there smaller
I'D less effective organizations. :,
The French know that the Germans
i'll know the minute American troops :.
Zach the front, and that the meeting
i'll be anything but a frolic for our :,
,ys. A single division, or even an :,
my corps, might conceivably be cut
pieces if the Germans should de-
concentrate against it, and
would have to start all over ;,
ain HI
Get Together Now y
Hence, both Sammy and Jacques
We been curbing their impatience
far as the higher commands" are
cerned-American, British, French
d Italian-a thorough understand III
3 exists One may not say when,
lere, or how Americas first real
wv will fall but it is permissible
predict that it will not happen un-
we are so thoroughly prepared as
insure the most effective work possi- nd
for the Allies and Americas
lse. u"
Meantime the pioneer American sol -
+ in France is becoming a better iie
dier every day. Potentially he was SO
mighty fine soldier when he first no
ded-even the rookie You folks Su
o knew him at home would scarce
recognize him now, such has been sue
miracle wrought by the combna- "A'
/ of British and French methods of ah'
,ns;vo +rainioo with po,.sbir -, flee
vementS. Doi
When He Marched in London Lu-
saw him in London, marching past ant
,kingham palace, letting King t
rge and his faithful subject give P.
the once-over. Of sturdy frame tha
k but sallow skin and flabby mus gra
/; much heftier than Tommy, but one
l slouching sholders; sloping his the
according to his Individual fancy; can
dnt keep step even when the king
looking-especially to the bag
nucic which narhanc chou1dn't