The Washington herald., 1917-07-22
PAYS TRIBUTE
TO u. S. ARMY
French Officer Draws Inter
esting Parallel Between ,
Poilus and "Sammies."
BY DANIEL DILLON,

stan Correspondent of the I. n. 8.
At the Permanent American Base
in France, July 21.-Here is the
most eloquent tribute I have yet
heard for America and it's army.
1t comes from a high French Of
ficer:
The democracy of the American
army is kindred TO ours. Your
men and our men follow. are not
driven into battle. Your officers
and our officers direct their SOL
diers: they do not bully them. The
mutual man to man understanding
in the service sweeps away rank.
In the French army there are ex-
ministers of state, renowned scien-
lists. artists and captains of in
dHstry. In the American expedi-
tionary forces there are ex-ambas-
sadors. millionaires, two sons of an
ex-president and the sons Of a gen.
eraL
Your leading business men all
are gladly fighting for America.
Your army ideals are similar to
ours. We respect and admire the
English, Italians and Russians as
brothers in arms, but the Americans
in addition we love as brothers at
heart. The worlds two greatest re-
publics, assisted by their allies will
insure the triumph OF democracy
over autocracy."
Satisfied with Camp.
Gen. Sibert today expressed great
satisfaction with the results of his
inspection OF the permanent train
ing camp.
Today has been set apart as
Cleanup Day" Various sections
OF the men not participating in
drill are securing the quarters for
baseball. Last night some of the
Sammies educated French young
sters in the intricacies of the game.
A middle-aged Frenchman aban-
doned his work to participate. He
was wildly elated when he made a
| catch. The boys were unable to
make hits safely.
'Ty Cobb needn't worry about rival
ing this gang" was the verdict OF one
amused Sammy.
The sport proved intensely inter-
esting. Incidentally 1t proved a sue
cessful rival with the band concert,
for large crowds were distracted from
the latter by the desire to watch
the great American pastime.
There is little sickness In the camp
The men are well fitted out, are en-
tirely contented and we'll fed. There
Is a shortage Of tobacco, but a supply
Is expected shortly. General Sibert,
on his inspection, found the billets
where the troops are quartered thor
oughly clean and in absolute order.
Strict sanitary rules have been es-
tablished. The entire camp IL under
going Vera Cruz securing on a
smaller scale.
The French call our soldiers Clean
up Americans" An American post
office has been established with han
dies all the mail OF the American
army. 1t Is in charge Of an army
chaplin.
First Mail Received.
The first big batch Of mail from
America was received today. The SOL
diers jubilantly read their letters from
home. They are naturally eager to
receive every possible scrap Of news
from the folks at home. Scores OF
them set down Immediately to an
swer the letters from America. They
described in great detail the beau
ties and the charming hospitality Of
France. Veterans are contrasting the
life here with Mexico and its hos
tile people and barren land. They re-
call the unpleasant routine on the
border. Here they are In the midst
Of friends. in a beautiful county, with
duty developing novel features every