Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-21
PETAIN VISITS
AMERICAN CAMP
French General Surprised at
Progress Made by Perish
ing's Troops.
Reviews His Famous Chas-
seurs - Pershing Well
Pleased with Results.

American Training Camp in
France, Sunday. Aug. 19-(By the
Associated Press)-General Petain,
commander-in-chief of the French
armies. paid his first visit to the
American troops in France today and
expressed himself as delighted with
what he saw.
II am exceedingly pleased and
gratifed with what I have seen during
this Inspection" he said. Training
has progressed so well that I feel GER
tain the American troops will form"an
excellent fighting force in a very short
time"
The French general was accompani-
ed by Major General John J. PERISH
ing, the American commander, and
both left this afternoon for the
French front, where they will remain
several days. They had a very busy
day, motoring a hundred miles or
more and inspecting almost every vii
lage in which Americans are billeted.
In addition, General Petain held a re-
view of the famous Chasseur division
which has been training the Amerl-
cans for the last month.
Given Great Service.
Addressing the officers of this d.
vision, General Petain said they had
rendered a notable service both to
France and to America, and that their
'DaLLallOnS naQ become SlSlei DdItaiA-
ons to the American contingent. the
Americans, he added, had expressed
the hope that some day they would
have the privilege of fighting along
side their French instructors and OF
proving what apt pupils theyecan be
Major General Pershing also was
pleased with his inspection Of the
American troops. He noted material
improvements everywhere and said:
Il +. ssT. n /. EEavfr.ar civ r,o11E Saficfa6 WIFI
what I have seer today. A th1ng
which particularly strikes one about
the Americans is the fine spirit which
prevails both among officers and men
Training is progressing rapidly anc
satisfactorily in every respect
Spectacular Review.
A review Of the chasseur division
was most spectacular: General Persn'
ing greatly admired the dash witt
which 1t was carried out. The infan'
trymen made a splendid showing bu
the picturesque feature was the rush,
ing by, Of the divisional artillery, will
horses at a fast trot. followed at SOM
distance by several troops of cavalr!
at full gallop. Later three Of IN
Chasseur bands played the Mar
~seillaisen and the Star Spanglet
Banner"
The day was one of brilliant sun
shine and during the greater part o
the review a beautiful silver coloret
French airplane played above tn
heads of the soldiers. There wer'
several German airplanes near tn
camp late yesterday n it is reported
that French airmen brought one 20
them down while 1t was endeavorinl
to return home.
Petain Inspects Americans.
General Petain made a close IN
!. %spection Of several American battali
ons and seemed particularly inter
ested in the various items of theil
equipment. He stopped in front Q
several soldiers and examined thei
kits in detail
The broad brimmed American cam
paign hats also claimed great dea
OF his attention. He took one o
these from soldiers head. weighini
"A Ii in his hands and studied it for sew
eral minutes and, then, carefully re
placed and adjusted it on the Anneri
cans head, the soldier standing q
rigid attention the whole time.
This is very good, very good, sal
the general. SIT is especially 4 70
such a sun as we have today
"And for rain. too, dde Genera
Il Pershing.
."They are fine young men. of splen
{ did physique. intelligent and most sal
isfactory looking soldiers n ever
4 way" General Petain told several 9
the captains OF companies who re
peated his words to their command
when the general had passed on ~
way.