The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-18
TOURS FRONT Line.
General Pershing Asks Men ii
They Get Enough Eats.
Talks With Priyates and In
spects Trenches and DugOuts.
fBy the Associated Press.)

With the American Army in France,
Feb. 1S.-General Pershlng MAS com
pleted "a two days inspection of the
American sector northwest of Toul-
In a "tin hat" with gas mask swung
over his chest at the alert position.
the American commander-in-ch1
walked thru all the first line trenches
splashing thru the mud and slipping
on the ice. He dropped down into the
dugouts and visited batteries busy
hurting iron rations at the enemy.
In all places the general asked in
Vulnerable questions, especially of the
men with regard to food, how they
were and how they liked conditions
were perfectly satisfied with every
thing. To the cook General Pershing
said:
You are getting enough to eat?
No, sir" the cook replied.
What ?" said the general.
You the cook, and do not get suf-
fic;ent food. 1 never heard of cook
in such a condition before"
well sir, l did not mean that ex-
actly. 4 mean not enough-yariety."
Cook Long for Green Stuff.
General Pershing asked what he ha d
piled that he had roast beef, potatoes.
onions, white bread, coffee and rice
pudding.
THAT seems like a considerable va
riety." remarked the general. What
else do You want q
well, I would like to have some
gre en- stuff, sir
General Pershing then turned to a
long line of soldiers with mess kits
in their hands and asked:
DO you men get enough to eat out
here?"
The ire saluted briskly and almost
in. a chorus came the reply, Yes,
sir
The general next appeared in regi-
mental headquarters in a dugout in a
town which had been riddled by shells
The colonel was not there at the time
and the commander-1n-ch chief called
for all trench and other orders and all
papers. He sat down and read thru
every one of them.
in the dugouts, General Pershing
suggested some few changes here and
there and in the trenches he also di-
rected that some small changes be
made.
From a we'll situated point. thru
glasses General Pershing inspected
Mont Sec and the German observation
posts on top of it, from which the
enemy has the American lines under
observation for twenty miles when the
visibility is good. Because of the haze
the general was unable to see the
spires of Metz, which are visible on
/ clear days from a certain place.
Didn't Believe 1t Was Commander.
Many soldiers in line recognized the
con- chief as he passed
them or stopped to question them. but
One young infantryman. after Gen
eral Pershing and the general in COM
,mand of that particular brigade had
passed, asked: who IS that with the
four stars on his coat?"
A comrade informed him, where
upon the inquisitive one replied:
mander Of an army walking around
| in a trench asking some private
whether he had enough to eat or his
feet were dry? 1t is not being done"
1t took a lieutenant to convince the
doubtful soldier that it was General
Pershing he had seen.
Turnout the inspection tour Cen
eral Pershing limped a little, his ankle
having been injured slightly a few
days ago. At the batteries the gen.
eral asked the artillerymen the same
questions as he put to the infantry
men, mixing sure that they all were
contented and had no cause for COM
plant.
Similar inspection trips will be made
from time to time by General Perish
inSx as The general is determined that
the American soldiers at all times
shall have the maximum of protection
under the best conditions DOssjhIe