The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-03
American Soldiers and French People
 Are Fast Friends
General Pershing Arrives at Camp and Makes Untirng Inspection of Many Villages III Which Men Are Billeted- Finds Condi-
 tions Satisfactory in Every Way.
 Cooks Are Questioned
Nv the Associated Press

American Training Camp in France Wednesday, August 1.-tDelayed.)- era, Pershing gave the Ameriean expe- ditionary force an example of the strenu- lous life by sweeping through nearly q dozen villages where United States sol diers are living in France and visiting nearlv all training centers which have
 been established from Americas frs.
 great contribution for the war Tor
 democracy.
 It was not cursory inspection lie
 went into minute details all along the
 line questioned private soldiers, com pany cooks and various other ranks as
 to how things were going, and what, II situation.
 General Pershing was expected Mon day but was delayed in leaving Parls until late yesterday. He spent the night at q quaint little French village, and reached the American army area early today. His visit was entirely informal and he found the forces just as he de- sired-engaged in their daily routine work and drill.
 The general is also inspecting various places suggested for his field headquar- ters. for he expects before very long to remove from Paris nearer the troops in 1 training. He will return to Paris late tomorrow.
 PERSHING'S STATEMENT 1 o.'c inc, General Pershing said: l "Our principal concern just now, of course, is to perfect the army organi- zaton. This is big task, but it is nov ing along smoothly and in most sat isfactory manner.
 "The work at certain ports of disem-
 barkation is well started. Railroad ma-
 terial is coming over as rapidly as can
 be arranged. The progress we have made thus far with the assistance of the
 French is source of great satisfaction
 to me. Bllets and training ground for
 men are as well located as could be ex- pected at this time Of the year when
 space is limited by crops in the field.
 After these are removed we will have plenty of space for lodging and training the divisions that are to come. Some of
 the places wheae men are now sleeping
 are not all that could be desired, but this soon will be remedied by the con- ! struction of portable barracks. Training l is progressing very well with the assist ance of the French" UNTIRING IN INSPECTION fi,.ir, in inspection of the training area. He in quired into every phase of the mems l daily life, the character and the quantity | of their food, even to the disposition of
 garbage, which he found was going to 1 French farmers, who were delighted to ] have this matter to feed their pigs, talk l ing advantage of every sort of refuse containing fat
 ! < General Pershing found the American i soldiers and the Frencl. villagers living ! together in the greatest amity. He in uuired about the washing for soldiers | and found that they nearly all washed 1 their own clothes in the village wash
 houses erected along running streams, 1 the villagers washing on one bank and 1 the soldiers on the other.
 1 At several company kitchens the Amer I ican commander interrogated the cooks i closely.
 ..Do you get enough to eat and to feed /, the men?" he asked one veteran cook 1 who has been in the regular army for a number of years
 l Yes. sir replied the cook standing | at respectful attentions
 Do you get any vegetables?'' asked i General Pershing.
 l No sir
 Don't you get any potatoes?' askad General Pershing with some surprise.