The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-01

nome and local environment winch
help SO much at home. You know
you do fairly well at home because
your friends believe in you and eX-
pect much Of you; here you must
rely upon a sense of duty and in
dividual stamina or fall.
We rather like the French and
they certainly are hospitable and
seem to appreciate US and are pa
tent with our dumbness. More cour-
teous and ob1iging people have new
er met; but they are thrifty shop
keepers and welcome our francs and
confines. We don't always under
stand their ways and doubtless our
mental habits are often puZzling to
them; but we do get on well and are
comrades. The children especially
are quick to make friends with the
Americans and the boys are fond of
the children. These children are a
red checked, sturdy, cheerful lot and
judging by them France could not be
adjudged decadent. The heroism OF the
French men needs no comment-they
have demonstrated it.; but wish some
one with talent commensurate with
the subject might do justice to the
character Of these splendid French
women, who through all their trials
and bereavements, still carry on much
Of the business Of the republic with
never murmur of complaint and dis
play a nobility Of character that is
wonderful.
It seems to me from the slight
knowledge I have been able to CLEAN
of French character, that they are
somewhat fond Of display and pleas
ure. They work in more leisurely
fashion than the Yankees; but they
plan deliberately and execute well.
Roads, bridges, buildings, canals,
whatever you see, seem to be built
for all time. The roads are fine, ev-
erywhere and this country in June or
September would be delight to the
tourist. The country is surely pic
turesQue and just as we have studied
it in art. 1t smacks Of romance at
every turn. The architecture is
quaint; even the landscape suggests
antiquity and all is in surprising con-
trast to the newness and regularity
with which we are familiar at home.
But the people take time to enjoy
life though their crop Of millionalres
makes a poor showing with ours.
AS I have had opportunity to OBJ
serve the country it suggests a vast
vineyard and garden. l often think
if they would pillow up about nine
tenths of the vineyards and plant
spuds and corn, it would be an adj
vantage; for it is probably just
criticism to say that far too many
millions of dollars are poured down
the Threats of the people annually, to
constitute thrift or abstemiousness.
I think I referred to Sunny
France" February was so delightful
that we began to think we had SIAN
dered the country when we wrote
those letters in January. But, as at
home we have variety Of weather. 1t
has rained now, either night or day
and often both, every day for % days
and as the country is somewhat flat
in this region, the dust doesn't bother
us at all. I am very tired, but keep
well. I would not have believed last
July that l had the energy and pep
to have worked as I have since /
left home, and to have continued
without intermission, IA or 16 hours
a day and every day; but thus far
have been able to make the grade and
we have the continual inspiration Of
knowing that, however far off the
end, it is one day nearer each passing
day.
Most Of us don't have time to read
papers, but the important news from
home Is passed about in condensed
form at the mess and the one other
place where all must go, and we no.
tice with grateful hearts the loyal
support which is given US at home
and appreciate the sacrifices that you
all are making to add to our COM
fort. Uncle Sam is most considerate
and we never fail Of sufficient food
of good quality-unless the trans
portation fails, which is not often.
It is emarkable-almost wonder
ful-to think, that we are standing at
the apex of history regarding the
mysterious past and the bloody trail
Of humanity as the race fought its
way onward and upward through the
ages; and turning to speculate on the
inscrutible future from which we
hope so much when this carnival of
murder shall have ended. To live
in this generation is an education: to
participate in the struggle, an inspir-
alton. We believe we shall succeed
and we know that you at home be-
lieye in us. We are far from libra
ries but it seems to me that I have
read in Browning, Gods in His heay-
en-; all's right with the world" How
ever imperfect the reference or quo
tation, you will remember the senti-
ment, and it is helpful in oursituation.
1t almost seems as if God made AM
erica for this emergency and trust
that Americans may not fail. / know
the individual soldier is big enough
for his Job; 1 believe the officers will
not be found wanting and with the
support which you are
giving us, we cannot believe that fall
ure is possible.
Raising, organizing, equ1pp1ng,
training and maintaining an army is
no small task for nation which has
heretofore been absorbed I with the
arts Of peace. But our people have
aptitude and energy and the machine
in all it's vastness and intricate re-
lations is working more smoothly all
the time. Specialists are graVitating
to their proper positions, the sturdy
youths are becoming adept with the
and grenade; coordination
is superseding the inevitable confu-
sion which accompanies organization
on so vast a scale and efficiency is
looming large on the military horizon.
Perhaps we shall be found as clever
as the boche and that too, without
so prolonged a training:
am looking into the forbiddtng
mouth, Of machine gun as write and
the sight with the MEM
DRY Of the cheerful face Of my graph
onola and thinking of the difference
in their voices. One can understand
the reason for a musical instrument,
but why Is a Machine Gun?" is a
question which is hard to answer in
the goth century Of the Christian era.
I eviscerated the brute this afternoon
and then dissected the viscera. 1T
rather made me think Of the intes-
tines IL a pickerel and is about as
in the heart Of Christen-
dom as a pickerel in q good bass
lake. But you know, we have to
know them by sight and touch, so
We can dismount and reassemble them
IN the dark. anywhere, ANYTIME. Z