The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-27
BOYS IN TRENCHES
 DESERVE EVERY AID
 FRIENDS CAN GIVE
Everyone Owes It as Duty to Buy Liberty Bonds and Help in This Way to
 Win Victory
"we are not going to war, we


 vice president of the Birmingham Trust and Savings company. and man of much military experience, yes- terday.
 Ut is hard to get the average
 man to realize this, but I dare say
 on June people will begin to
 open their eyes to the fact that
 this is no picnic occasion or sum-
 mer encampment affair. This is no
 May Day affair. but war in all Of
 it's realities. Your boys are march
 ing to the front and your flag has
 been seen on the firing line in
 France, and has cheered and
 heartened the allies.
 "The American flotilla has also been seen in the enemy's waters and its eff cency has been freely felt and com me.lted upon by Lloyd George, the Eng llsn premier, in the House of Parliament to hearten the english.
 REGIMENTS FILLING UP FAST
 The National Guard regiments are ldfol llilllS Gp, NllllG lIl6 InODlllZdCIOn Ol the regular army is taking place with clocStike speed. Every military element of power has been set in motion and the mammoth strength of this great nation is rising nobly to strike a fatal blow at the enemies of democracy, who, in their ruthless warfare, have violated every law of the decalogue and set at defiance the common law of humanity.
 This autocratic Prussian power be- hind the ruthless military machine which has been the curse of Europe, not con tent with smashing Belgium. friendly neighbor, seeks to impose its rule of blood and iron upon the stronger nations Id by the rule of plunder make a Ger man empire out of Europe and then domi- nate the world.
 Major Gordon of the Cameron High | larders, who was in the trenches IT France two years, made the statement before the executive council of the Amer ican Bankers association at Barcliff N. Y, that this country could not wait six months before sending an army to France. He said only the British fleet was standing between America and civilization; that If the English navy should break down, all moral laws and constitutional liberty would perish from the face of the earth.''
 In talking of Major Gordon, Colonel Smith said that no one who looked into his serious and care- worn face could fai. to be impressed that he was a man who had passed through the valley and shadow of death and seen things un- speakable.
 WON BY STOUT HEARTS
 "The ingenuity of the American naval board is at work to find way to con trol the deadly submarine" continued Colonel Smith. but I believe the su- prenacy Of the sea will be won by the men behind the guns, while democracy on land will be preserved and perpetuated by stout hearts, strong nerves and keen aim of the true-born American patriots. June 5, the day of registration. shortly to be followed by the day of se- lection of 5O0O00 eligibles for active mili- tary service in the second army of the line to be equipped, drilled and hardened for service in the drive on Berlin, will bring to us a full realization of the mag nitude of the task which confronts the American public,
 Few people seem to understand that behind each man in the firing line it re- quires the entire time, thought and serv- ice Of six men. This is the scientific esti- mate of the army experts.
 .The country has called the soldier and the mechanician behind him into active service but those who are exempt land do not come under either of the above classes have a duty to perform and a service quite as obligatory as the recruit who freely offers his life. All must be ready to make a sacrifice for their country's preservation. Colonel Smith was strongly of the opin- ion that it would be a discredit to any one to see our boys offer their lives and for those who remained at home to fail to do everything in their power to fit them and keep them well supplied with munitions and the necessaries of life.
 SHOULD BUY LIBERTY BOND "Everyone who is able should buy a liberty loan bond,' said he, even though it was a sacrifice. the more patriotic and noble will be their action.
 Many ask, What is my duty and how many bonds shall I purchase? The most fitting answer to this question:" he said, was made by purchaser on Saturday by stating that he thought that every man should invest at least 10 per cent of his yearly income and as much more as he could possibly spare.
 This war is so serious that we should not gauge our service UT sacrifice bs tue man touching elbows With us, but by say- ing, How much more can l do than l have already done? We ought raj ther tc think of the mothers boys in the trenches and of the hell they are hourly facing that we may enjoy our liberties at home. Orders for the purchase of bonds will be taken by A. l.. Garber, hrst floor Empire building told office Southern rail- way), or by any of the banks" Colonel Smiths two sons. Lieut.. Julian Polk Smith and Lieut. J. o. Smith, Jr..