The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
They Hear About Industrial
Tieups and Rail Troubles.
NEED SPRING DRIVE At HOME
Failure of War Machine at
Home Means Failure at Front.
There's Endless Chain From
Trenches to Every L. S. HOme!
BY FRED S. FERGUSON.

With :he American Army in france
Feb. 25.-America needs spring
drive at home to aid her army in put
ting over the punch she must deliver
against Germany.
A portion of her forces have now
completed a month in the trenches OF
the American sector. Her OFFICERS
ana rner are not worrying about the
Germans as they are learning the
tricks Of the war game. But from
the front America seems closer TO the
trenches than trenches seem TO the
Americans at home. 1t IS eNloehl
there that the war must mean just
as much to a village in America as 10
a village in France. The only differ
ence is that the former is spared the
danger If raids and demolition.
The holding up of freight car In
a country village of America today
may be reflected in the front line
trenches tomorrow. where the son or
brother of some one in that village
may be standing on the fire step.
Visits General Pershing.
There is an endless chain running
from the trenches to every American
home. 1t runs thru the office of Cen
eral Pershing on long communication
lines across the Atlantic to the sea-
bard.
Pershing received the United Press
correspondent in his office at head
quarters. following his return from
an inspection, at the front. Clear
eyed. earnest and firm. except for his
uniform. the general might have APP
peared to be the head oil some great
corporation directing peaceful pur-
suits. as well as the commander in
chief of Americas great army.
The general appeared in excellent
physical trim-the typical American
leader. He was debating a mass of
orders and correspondence in person.
The sunshine poured in thru the win
dows, thru which drifted sounds of
activities outside A flat-topped desk,
placed in the center of the room. is
the work table, from which the Amer
lean army is being directed. From
this office, in all directions, run roads,
railroads. telegraph and telephone
lines. These knit together the Ameri-
can army from its base to the front.
Ask More About Back Home"
Americans are noticeable every
where. And these, instead of asking
about the expected German drive, in
quire how things are going at home.
Then comes the inevitable tale of the
endless chain supplying the army. The
freight congestion at home means sup
plies going toward the seaboard are
being delayed. This. plus the coal
shortage, is delaying the sailing of
ships and reducing the tonnage on the
seas. 1t meaps further delays.
The stories of drunkenness in the
American army here are without
foundation This fact is evidenced by
reports from the various commanders,
as well an observation of the gen.
eral conduct of the men. They are
well fed and in excellent health.
Getting into actual work in the
trencheI has heightened the morale
Of the entire army. The men now in
cCItonmentS and training camps in
the United States will have finished
American officers and soldiers to
train them when they reach France.
There Is but one army here in France.
The boy from the corner grocery who
became a member of the national
army viii find in France the boy
from the same grocery who enlisted, a
finished soldier. The former soon will
be the same. He will not be known as
member of the national army or
otherwise. He will be known as a
member of closely knit fighting
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