Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-01
WITH THE French
ON FIRING LINE
DR.. Spahr VividIy Describes
Some Scenes OF the
European War
SAYS NATION PRAYS
FOR A VICTORY

DR.. Richard r. spahr, of this city,
who has seen service with the American
Ambulance on the French firing line. Wv
idly described some of his experiences to
the mems Bible class of First Presbyter-
ian Church on Tuesday night.
Discussing his subject DR.. Spahr said:
In company with three other physi-
clans and eight ambulance drivers, Dr..
Spahr left New York on APRIL ! last,
sailing on the French liner ROchambeau.
for Bordeaux, France, arriving there the
morning Of April 10 after an mevent-
ful but interesting voyage, since the
passenger list was quite large. including
the French consuls general at New York
and San Francisco, French and Italian
officers and reservists, and several doc
tors, nurses and others interested in re-
lief work. The usual boat drills and
assignments were soon attended to and
the light regulations carried out, a. no
lights are allowed on deck OF In the
state rooms on transatlantic liners now
unless the port holes Of the latter be
covered with steel or wooden barricades
at night.
ARRIVING at the mouth Of the Gironde
river early on the morning Of April TO-,
during the passage up the river TO Bor-
deauX from the Bay Of Biscay, the party
could see apart from the beautiful colm-
try Of La Belle France, with the many
villages, farms and vineyards scattered
along the shore, large German prisoner
camps. the men being employed on
river and railroad repair work. After
spending the greater part Of two days
In this beautiful old French city, the
party travelled to Paris, a journey of
nine hours, and In a couple of days, after
the necessary formalities were attended
70, in reference to our stay In this. the
most beautiful capital city in the world,
we began our work Immediately"
DR.. Spahr had the care of eighty beds
at the American Ambulance at Newly,
including the eye wards. As the days
came and went he became more or less
accustomed to the great number and
types Of wounded or disabled men one
sees in hospitals or on the streets, and
also the women in black but the deeper
feeling Of wonder and respect comes
when the wonderful courage and pa
thence of the French soldiers, and people
in general are appreciated. "Their spirit
vi ApANtNhNf HhA apparent NhSHl AuAAANao
under this, the greatest Of trials and UNI
dertakings, is truly marvellous" the
doctor said. with all its accompany
ing sorrow, the war has, however,
brought the people once more to the
church, and upon any day, not only In
the large churches, rs Notre Dame Ca
thedral OF the Madeleine, in Paris, but
throughout all France, masses and pray
ers are being held"
Continuing, DR.. Spehr said; As work
during the months Of winter and early
spring is lighter than at other times Of
the year, due 10 the cessation of heavy
fighting, we took full advantage of any
time allowed to visit the many old
chateaux, museums, churches. parks. etc
in and around Paris. as we'll as the gen
eral battle area nearby, Of the fail Of
"a.
ITO our patients in the hospital, Oc-
casions Of great Joy we're the visits Of
the President of France, OF his wife,
Madam POincaire. And also. the days
when one OF more men were decorated
for bravery, either in the wards, if too
i'll TO move, or else, at Les Invalides,
the place Of public decorations in Paris.