Mexico Missouri message., 1918-07-18
SOLDIERS HAVE
OWN NEWSPAPER
"The Stars and Stripes" Devoted
to Boys "0ver There"
EDITORS PASS OUT ROASTS
Repudiate Rumors That Men Of Amer
lean Expeditionary Forces Are Not
Executing Their Duty.
From the Committee on Public Informa-
finn Waahinptnn ID CT


The American expeditionary forces
In France will have no drab days or
5ull hours If they share the brightness
and breeziness of "The Stars and
Stripes" a seven-column, eight-page
weekly edited by the soldier boys them
selves, approved by the commander in
chief, and printed In the Paris plant
of the London Daily Mail.
It's genuine home paper, with all
the frankness of the West, the sim
cerity of the East, and the warmth of
the South in its greeting. There is a
metaphorical slap on the back for the
fellow who wants the feel of friendly
palm; there is two-handed welcome
for the boy who needs bracing mes
sage in his own tongue; there is en-
couraglng news from away back home |;
there are earnest things for the
thoughtful; much In lighter vein for
those who want to forget their trou-
bles; genuine humor wrung from the
actualities Of the war; lot of excel
lent comic verse-in fact "The Stars
and Stripes" is a sure.enough news
paper that "fills a long-felt want" and
It will Tighten the hearts and brighten
the lives Of our boys "over there"
The first page contains an admir-
able recent portrait of the commander
In chief, accompanied by the following
hearty Endorsement Of "The Stars and
Stripes:"
"1n this initial number Of The Stars
and Stripes, published by the men of
the overseas command, the commander
In chief Of the American expedition
airy forces extends his greetings
through the editing staff to the readers
from the first line trenches to the base
| ports.
'These readers are mainly the men
who have been honored by being the
first contingent of Americans to fight
on European soil for the honor of their
country. 1t is an honor and privilege
which makes them fortunate above the
millions of their fellow citizens at home
Commensurate with their privilege in
being here is the duty which is laid
before them, and this duty will be per-
| formed by them as by Americans OF
the past, eager, determined, and I'M
yielding to the last.
"The paper, written by the men in
the service, should speak the thoughts
Of the new American army and the
American people from whom the army
has been drawn. 1t is your paper.
Good luck to it.
(Signed) JOHN J. PERSHING,
Commander In Chief, A. L. F."
Editorial Staff.
The editorial and business staff are
all members Of the expeditionary
forces:
Editorial: Guy T. viskniskl, sec.
ond lieutenant infantry, N. A.; Charles
p. Gushing, second lieutenant, U. S. M
@. R.; Hudson Hawley, private, NJ. G.
Bn.; A. A. Wallgren, private U. s. M
@.
Advertising: William K. Michael
first lieutenant infantry, U. S. r.
The editors don't waste any time In
saying that the paper 'is going to fill
long-felt want" but go right on and
fill the hiatus. The salutatory puts
the aims of "The Stars and Stripes
into the fewest possible words and they
are worth reprinting:
ITO THE COLORSI
with this issue the Stars and
Stripes reports for active service with
the A. E. F. 1t is your paper, and has
but one ak to grind-the ak which
our Uncle Samuel is whetting on the
grindstone for use upon the august
necks Of the Hapsburgs and Hohen
zollerns.
'The Stars and Stripes is unique II
that every soldier purchaser, every sol
der subscriber, is q stockholder ant
member Of the board of directors. i
isn't being run for any individuals
profit, and it serves no class but the
fighting men in France who wear thC
olive drab and the forest green. tt
profits go to the company funds of thI
soldier subscribers, and the STAFF O.
the paper isn't paid sou.
IF you don't find in this, your Owl
weekly, the things in which you ar,
particularly interested, write to the ed
J ltOrs, and If 1t is humanity possibl
they will dig up the stuff you want
; There are so many Of you, over her
! now, and SO many different sorts 0
: you, that 1t is more than likely tina
J some of your hobbies have been over
. looked In this our first number. lie
J us know.
"We want to hear from that artis
In your outfit, that ex-newspaper re
porter, that short-story writer, tina
company funny man. and that fellol
who writes the verse. We want t
: hear from all Of you--for the Star
and Stripes is your paper. first las
! and all the time; for you and for thos
: of your friends and relatives to wh0I
: you will care to send 1t.
"The Stnrs and Stripes is up .
the top o. the mast for the duration {
; the war. 1t will try to reach eyeryon
Of you. every week-mud. shellhole
aud fog Notwithstanding. 1t win yiel
I A