Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-03
FINDS SPIRIT OF VICTORY !!
AMONG ALLIED SOLDIER
w. II. Webb Writes Of His Erpe,
ences With American Expo 4
dictionary Forces.
SEES no Observation-Disclosures
Says Wonderful Things Arc Bein
Done by Americans - After All
French People Have Con;
Through, They Are Still Smiling

After nearly tour years OF fighting
| in the trenches. the soldiers OF thu
allied armies return to their posts WING
no sign OF down. eartodncss or lackfS
OF tho fighting spirit. according to VII
II. webb. formerly OF Richmond, Wild
is now in France. Mr.. Webb. who's
was secretary to K. T. Crawley, inA
dustrial agent of the Chesapeake andss
after their trying experience. tho menu
go back to the trenches smiling ancf5
filled with unbounded optimism.
Mr.. Crawley has just received tho
scribinG the trip over and his sxk
periences:
Headquarters Casual Officers Depot
Line OF Communications. AmericAni
Expeditionary Forces, France,
February 9, 1918.
My Dear Mr.. Crawley.-I have bean
at my destination in France for two
weeks to-day, and have intended writ
ing you several times, but to-day 70
the first real opportunity have had
TO start a letter and finisi, It the Same !
day. and this is only because am
back at tho office mt night. we are
husy people over here. for every ono
realizes ii takes twenty-four hours q
day watchfulness to beat the Dutah."
since the day l reached this point i
nave worked day and night. Sunday in
Guided. and from present prospects,
there VIII be no let up soon
BUT, to begin at the beginning: After
ABOUT two weeks in New York, we en-
parked somewhere in America" on our
long journey. 1t was a very pleasant
trip over. and outside Of the few DAYS
! IN the submarine zone. when, naturally
We all had case OF nerves" the trim
was thoroughly enjoyed. Unluckily, we
| got on a very slow boat, but AZ VA.
very we'll equipped, and we were I'M
usually we'll taken care OF aboard.
finally we landed in France spent ono
night at an English rest camp that
tue British officers kindly turned over
| and tho next day entrained for this
place. On arrival was detached. and
entered on my duties here, most OF tho
rest or the crowd came over with
! going on to various schools, etc.
am thoroughly enjoying my expert
ence here, and wouldn't have missed
TINS chance for anything. but still am
looking forward to the time when
| VIII again board a ship for home. I;
am in a city of about 50, 900, somewhat
removed from the active zone OF war
suppose YOU have read OF the air
raid on Paris the other night We see
very little OF the war here, there being
numo Der or French soldiers In the
town at all times, however. Quite a
Few people have come here from Parts
since the latest air raid, hoping for
immunity from similar raids.
No"dertnl things are being done over
tiSi Z W the americans, and still greater
| Things ROMAN to be done, but wo are
on on confident that they will BIO put
through with characteristic American
efficiency, and when our big army final
~ comes over, It. will be tho means OF
putting an end to it. all. The spirit
! OF all the people and soldiers here is
that tho war will not end till 1t does
so with victory for the allies. Eng
iish. Australian and Canadian soldiers
with whom have talked. after nearly
iour years in the trenches, still go
fRack to it with no sign of down.
heartedness or lack of tho fighting
spirit. AS for the French. they are re-.
markable, and pass understanding.
After all they have gone through with,
they are still smiling, and filled with
unbounded optimism.
Food is remarkably cheap here, a
| dinner at the best restaurant only cost
ing 40 cents. The influence OF war Is
seen. however. when all tho pastry
shops are closed two days every week,
and no bread but the coarse war
/ bread is obtainabie outside the Ameri-
can ohcers' mess now established
! Sincerely yours.
tSigned) w. II. WEBB.