Mexico Missouri message., 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.

Paris.-Of all the splendid troops
" France the - division stands
lmOng the very first. Long before the
is reputation for bravery and hard
lighting. Since then it has added
many glorious page to its history
md won-at heavy price, alas the
highest honOrs that France has to give
Ter valiant soldiers. All Of the officers
there are also some regiments COM
posed of native troops from Frances
argest 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-
ereciated and on a return visit the
American workers had the pleasure of
seeing the wounded men arrayed In
some of their incest pajamas and hos
pital 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 a 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 quaint old
farmhouse with a big courtyard in
! front. Here the regimental band was
lrawn up to greet them with fan
are 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 touch of sadness In
them and the call of the East as well
A Sheep Roasted Whole.
After the Americans had been wei
coined by the general and his staff
luncheon was served, and a wonderful
meal it was, for they introduced us tt
several native dishes, such as "kous
kous" and a whole roasted sheep tina
two soldiers carried around the table
for the visitors to see and admire be
fore 1t was cut up and served. Al
Arab cook had received twenty-fOul
hours leave from the trenches to come
and prepare it 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
Dne of the companies of this division
and had been fighting for France si6cC
the first days of the war.
After luncheon the Americans were
invited to attend a musical review
written by one of the officers. 1t wa.
given in barracks at one end Of which
the stage was erected. Then came thu
orchestra, we'll filed with soldier mu
yicians, few chairs for the "honore(
guests" and after that rows of benches
It was a full house. The singing anC
acting were all done by the soldiers
md 1t was extraordinary how mucl
talent and ability they displayed.
Warm Praise for Americans.
If this especial soldier troupe should
ever decide to tour the States our Masl
and Wig and Hasty Pudding clubs
would have to look to their laurels. II
the last act a warm tribute was paiC
10 the United States. They spoke no
only of the nephews Uncle Sam wal
sending to help win the fight for jus
lice and right, but also of their Ameri
can sisters who. since the first days Of
war, have done so much to help lighter
the heavy load that France is bearing
The scene was the Statue of Liberty
|