New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-21
Petain Praises
Pershing's S Men
French Commander,
After Inspecting Them,
Says Troops Will Be
Valuable Fighters Soon
By Haywood Broun
Accredited TO the Pershtng Army IN
France, tor The New York
Tribune and Syndicate

TfuHCe,' JU Il no wv" ~"
Tribune and Syndicate
rcooro.h, 1911. BY II. Tribune As,ocis.iOnl
I SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE WITH
THE AMERICAN EXPEDITloNARf
FORCE, Aug. 1s.-General Petain paid
his first visit to the American army
to-day. He was accompanied by Cen
eral Pershing. After inspecting the
troops billeted in number OF Frensn
villages. the French general declared
that the training and physique OF the
American soldiers were excellent, and
he added: 81 think the American army
will be an admirable fighting force
within snort time"
Before visiting the Americans, Pc
tain and Pershing reviewed the French
chasseur division which is instructinS
the Americans.
First came a presentation Of medals
by General Petain. The troops were
drawn up in line and the men 10 DE
honored stood cut in front Of the army
There was a fenfsre of trumpets, and
! General Petain moved forward and
bestowed the medal Of the Legion OF
Honor upon nine men. With each red
ribbon went kiss upon both cheeks.
! The American soldier spectators
| looked OF in amarement.
C.r.>apf HouoYed
"well, III be id said one, under
/ his breath. 'It's true"
Following the presentation of the
red ribbons came the distribution OF
the military medals, a lesser honor
Seven men were drawn up to receive
this. But Petain stopped in front OF
the grizzled sergeant who stood at the
right of the line. The general regard
ed the soldier with great interest, then
he called an ORDERLY to his side.
This man has three palms on his
croix de guerre," said Petain.
Now a palm means that a soldier has
been cited for conspicuous bravery in
the report of the entire army.
"The military medal is not enough
for this man." continued Petain. "Step
forward he said.
The old sergeant trembled little as
ne stood tiny, solitary gray figure in
! front of the entire army.
Bring back the trumpets," Petain
commanded. and for the lone poilu the
fanfare again was sounded.
81 make you a chevalier Of the Le-
gion of Honor" said the commander
in chief Of the French army to the old
sergeant, and after he had pinned the
red ribbon to his breast ne added hug
to the conventional two kisses. The
poilu moved back TO the ranks steadily,
but as soon as the general had turned
his back the sergeant pulled out his
handkerchief and wcpt. The soldiers
/ greeted their comrade with cheers.
Petain at His Ease
No sooner had Petain done with his
medals than he turned to Pershing and
said: ....t'
Lets take it easy for a few minutes.
| I've watched plenty of reviews"
The French general moved casually
about among the villagers With lack
Of constraint which amazed the Ameri-
can officers.
Where have you come FROM" he
asked one peasant lassie. THAT was a
/ long walk just to see the soldiers" he
remarked when she told him that she
, lived in a town some ten miles distant.
But we are glad to have you here" he
added And 80 he moved down the
I line with handshakes for The grown
ups, pats on the head for the little
boys and kisses for the little girls.
/ Pershing got to kissing the little
/ girls before the day was done, for they
were waiting for him in every village
with bouquets of flowers and set
speecheE But the American general
cannot be said to be an expert yet.
/ He lacks just little gusto in the kiss
/ ing, and bouquets make him uncom-
I Portable. He handled each bunch of
/ flowers much as if it were a grenade
| due to explode in five seconds.
Call French Troops Finest
! Following the REVIEW retain called
his officers together for conference.
An American colonel declared, as the
/ chasseurs swept by: These are the
( finest troops in the world. and make
! no exceptions"
/ But Petain found a few things 20
/ criticise. He mingled praise generously
with .censure, however. lie urged all
the officers TO know their men and to
/ get on such terms with them that the
/ soldiers would not, be afraid to speak
| freely. lie told of reforms which he
planned TO introduce in the French
army. lie favored. he said. longer
leaves from the front and better trans
| portation for the poilus.
IL shall have time tables made for
the men on leave" he said. "and these
| shall sell for four sous. II would not
| do 70 distribute them for nothing. No
body gives oats 20 horse that cost
! nothing"
| A French plane few over the field
while the general was addressing his
| officers.
Two recently created American major
generals accompanied rershing and
Sibert in the tour Of the camps.