Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-04-04
Fund for the French Wounded
Is Highly Appreciated by
the Fighters.
COMMITTEE GIVEN A FEAST
Arab Cook Roasts Sheep Whole and
PoiIu, Formerly a Chef, Prepares
the Dessert-Warm Praise for
Americans.


of France the - division stands
among the very first. Long before the
memorable days of 1914 it had made
its reputation for bravery and hard
fighting. Since then it has added
many a glorious page to it's history
and won-at heavy price, alas the
highest hOnorS that France has to give
her valiant soldiers. All of the officers
and most of the men are French, but
there are also some regiments COM
posed of native troops from Frances
largest and most important colonies.
Some time ago the workers at the
Nancy depot of the American Fund for
French Wounded took supplies and
comfort bags to two of their field am
balances. The gifts were greatly ap-
preciated and on return visit the
American workers had the pleasure of
seeing the wounded men arrayed in
some of their incest pajamas and hos
pftal shirts, looking warm and COM
Portable. The doctors were loud in
their praises and very grateful for the
dressings and other things taken out
all of which were being used to good
advantage
This small eulogy is merely pre-
face that one may better understand
the committees feelings when an invi-
tation came from General D. ask
ing them to lunch at his headquarters
which are in small village some four
miles back of the lines in a quaint old
farmhouse with a big courtyard in
front. Here the regimental band was
drawn up to greet them with a fam
fare on their arrival. They continued
to play throughout lunch, music quite
unlike the usual military music, for
they use their native instruments,
mostly wind and of wood and play
weird, haunting melodies in a minor
key. There is a touch of sadness in
them and the call of the East as well.
A Sheep Roasted Whole.
After the Americans had been well
coined by the general and his staff,
luncheon was served, and a wonderful
meal it was, for they introduced us to
several native dishes, such as "kous-
kous" and whole roasted sheep that
two soldiers carried around the table
for the visitors to see and admire be-
fore it was cut up and served. An
Arab cook had received twenty-four
hours leave from the trenches to come
and prepare 1t in true Arab fashion.
The sweet was work of art made by
"POilu' who, in prewar days was the
chef in a big pastry shop in Lyons.
Flowers and fruit decked the table,
and even menu cards were not lacking
In fact they were of especial interest,
charming watercolor sketches of the
various types of French soldier, from
the old Territorial down to the debo-
nair Colonial. They were the work of
one of the companies of this division
and had been fighting for France since
the first days of the war.
After luncheon the Americans were
invited to attend a musical review
written by one of the officers. 1t was
given in a barracks at one end of which
the stage was erected. Then came the
orchestra, we'll filled with soldier mu-
sicians, a few chairs for the "honored
guests" and after that rows of benches.
1t was a full house. The singing and
acting were all done by the soldiers,
and it was extraordinary how much
talent and ability they displayed.
Warm Praise for Americans.
If this especial soldier troupe should
ever decide to tour the States our Mask
and Wig and Hasty Pudding clubs
would have to look to their laurels- In
the last act a warm tribute was paid
to the United States They spoke not
only of the nephews Uncle Sam was
sending to help win the fight for jus
tice and right, but also of their Ameri-
can sisters who, since the first days of
war, have done so much to help tighten
the heavy load that France is bearing.
The scene was the Statue of Liberty