Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-06-19

! tnal Inc German Is just as brave as
any other fighting man. The reason
for his dislike of the bayonet is that
he has been trained to fight, not as an
| individual but as part of a machine.
He is taught the bayonet exercise, but
the machine-like movement is evident
in his use of parry, thrust, lunge and
| butt to the front. ~
Why Germans Dislike 1t.
! The man who il the American
army had instructed recruits in the
bayonet exercise gave his reasons
for saying that the German would be
found to be "shy' when bayonet met
bayonet. He said that in the day that
| he taught recruits in the American
army there were no restrictions on en-
| listmenrs except physical restrictions,
and that among men entering the sery-
| ice were many recently landed Ger
mans who had served their time in the
army of the empire.
1t was found that it was difficult
| to teach the German recruits the use
Of the bayOnet so that they could
handle the weapon with the lightning
like speed that the man of virtually
every other nation could handle it.
The German was always a traction Of
. a second late. He came to "a guard"
without any of the litheness of the
men of other nationalities, and while
he tented and thrust and lunged per-
fectly so far as movement was con-
cerned, there was an appreciate slow
ness about the thing which would be
deadly in conflict
Frances Call for Men.
From the instant that war was
declared between the United States
and Germany, American officers of
the younger and more active ranks
have urged the necessity Of send
ing troops quickly to France. 1t
is believed that if the original plan of
high army officers had been adhered
TO, American troops except for some
few engineer detachments would not
have been sent to Europe for many
months.
The view of the younger officers of
the American service, Endorsed as 1t
was by General Joffre and unquestion
ably also by the president, brought a
change in plan, although of course it
is not known definitely, nor will it be
published when it is known, just how
quickly large forces of American SOL
diers will be sent to the fighting line.
Here is a copyrighted and author
lied cable in the New York Times
from Wythe Williams:
France always has kept the num-
Der Of her losses to herself. She now
says quite openly that she needs men,
The Germans are still terribly strong
and it is therefore to America that she
is looking to help her strike harder
than ever at the Teuton's battle line
and smash it."
Relies on Anne RIGA.
This indirect appeal for men which
has just come from France seemingly
is indOrsed by General Petain. The
disclosure of the French army's need
for men to drive home victory probably
would not be made unless 1t was
thought that the appeal would be an
swered by the American army author1-
ties. France never has allowed it to
be known prior to this time that her
armies stand in need of reinforce
ments TO enable the republic to carry
home the blows which it has been de-
livering for months.
The situation in France, it is held in
4 INN iuo fhof
there be speeding up in the training of
our oversee forces. 1t seems certain
that the early predictions made that
regulars and National Guardsmen
would be sent to the front much more
quickly than anyone had supposed will
be borne out, but the main proposition
concerns itself with the great national
army which early in September in de-
tachments will go into the training
camps.
1t is only necessary to go to Fort
Myer to learn that the speeding-up
process is in operation. 1t is not
known definitely here how things are
going on at the other officers reserve
training camps, but at Fort Myer what
would be called in any college in the
country 1.-The examining system" is in
daily service. The young men across
the Potomac who are trying to learn
how to become officers of the American
army will be given In three months in
structions and drill which ordinarily
would be spread over half year.
Young officers are in charge at Fort
Myer.
So long ago as the time that your
correspondent was in France, when
the war was only about eight months
old, the possibilities that the French
republic would need e-enforcements
of men in order to carry the war tc a
conclusion within the territory of the
Germans already was being dis
cussed. 1t was discussed in whispers.
it is true, but it was known that the
man power of France had limit lire
well within that of the other countries
engaged. Even then the French were
looking to the United States.
Method in His Madness.
Mrs. Hubb-Oh. John, you say that
IL you lost me you would take to