The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-10-04
FIGHTING jack PERSHING'S EYE
KEEN FOR THE FINEST OF DETAILS
Inspection Of American Training Camp France Described by
Newspaper Correspondent Officers and Men Made to
Realize That War Is Serious Busness-French
Soldiers Fond of Americans

taxable language, direct from the
shoulder, that sometimes fairly
crisped and cracked.
| During his trip of inspection the
general was accompanied by General
Sibert and a distinguished French Of
! flcer who has been attached to his
staff. Notes were made on all the
points he suggested, and what he didn't
like was Immediately remedied
The French soldiers here are just
as fond of the "Sammies," as they
insist on calling the boys, as of their
own 'copains,," or comrades in arms.
The few American troopers who can
speak French are indeed "the fair-
haired boys so far as the French are
concerned. They are invited to share
in the 'pinard," or red wine, issued to
the ''pOilus," to try their smoking to-
bacco, and, whenever the hour permits,
to have drink of something in the
| cafes.
| With champagne at eight francs
| (about $1.50) a bottle, many French
soldier, on his five cents day, has
| Squandered a whole months pay in or
der to buy this little luxury for some
of his American friends.
All Kinds of Frenchmen.
Swarthy sons of France from the
Basse Pyrenees, blue-eyed Normans,
who resemble Englishmen to a start
ling degree, lanky men from Pitou.
the nearest approach to our own
rangy Westerners Or long-limbed
Yankees, all take part In these gather
ings and drink in every word of the
conversation along with their bever-
ages that cheer.
One stocky Frenchman from Pau,
who spoke with throaty BURR and
gargled his words, dropped into the
cafe reeking with iodoform. He was
just out of the hospital and his right
arm was still in sling while his
bandaged head gave him the appear
ance of turbaned Mohammedan. He
and dropped into chair on the OPP
posite side of the room.
One of his comrades, at the sugges-
ton of the Americans, called to him,
saying, "Come and have drink with
the Americans"
The wounded man started violently
and jumped to his feet.
Lies Americainsw exclaimed he.
Americans? vraiment? (TrulyD"
"Why, yes" explained his COM
patriot. didn't you know the Ameri-
cans were here? Where have you
been"
"This is my first day out" apollo
gized the other. "Are you really Amer
icans?' he demanded, turning toward
the soldiers. .
They assured him that such was the
case
But what are you, doctors, ambu-
lance men?" asked the Frenchman q
little timidly. mot real soldiers?" s.
His friend replied little inpatient
ly they were infantrymen, fighting men,
soldiers of the line who would soon be
doing their share in the trenches.
The man from Pau was visibly af-
fected. He breathed deeply and then
two teardrops welled into his eyes.
1T is great pleasure" he finally
stammered in his own tongue. "They
told me the Americans were here but
1 didn't know they were soldiers.
'poilus' like myself"
Learning to Embrace.
He stretched out his one good hand
to the interpreter for the party. a
tall, bronzed corporal from Colorado
''Will you embrace me, my cor
pOral?' he asked.
The corporal took the Outstretched
hand but shifted rather uneasiIy. The
French embrace" consists of kiss
on either cheek. But he hesitated for
only a moment
with pleasure, mon brave" said
he, using the familiar form. and ris.
ing to his full six feet he inclined his
head and saluted the Frenchman in the
manner of the country.
The rest of the company. both