Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-06-07
"A BELLE FRANCE"
FASC|NATES SOLDIER
,,otor Layson, Former Pullman Boy,
c,ves His Impression of the
France of Today

f0uuhiHo
,.,son who is now in France:
o,ly Dear Dad;
zone is fascinated from the begin
,ao with La Belle France. The
onaint, picturesque scenes of the old
rorld along the outskirts of the
war--the sea coast. All nature is
.,otbed in her brilliant coat of spring,
mbicb proved to be an agreeable sur
nree TO the Sammies of the frigid
states. The old stone houses, ter
roces and rustic works, the narrow
avenues and the singular instances of
environment enthrall one with sub
dued passion for the esthetic, and
delicate complement of the French
nature is everywhere depicted.
II can vouchsafe that there is not
an American soldier on the continent
who regrets being here after seeing
existing conditions. The old world
in new war holds secrets which the
feeble words of men can not express,
and its disclosures are more signifi-
cant the farther one proceeds in the
Great Adventure
ITO one who is a skilled reader of
human nature there is vast store
house of knowledge to be gained by
being here 1t is indeed a pity that
every American man, woman and
child can not visit this glorious land
for at least one day. Such a visit
would fairly regenerate our people
and teach them the true and realistic
meaning of ideals, philosophy, Gull
ture and all that is good, noble and
beautiful, the glory of fighting for
the right and the blessings of peace
It would impress them unforgettably
with reasons for conservation of ma
terial things and the necessity of
boarding energy. War is terrible.
bitter and appalling, but like other
things has its compensation. 1t
teaches the unearned how to appre-
ciate the world, its makeup and in
sututions, and gives one a new YER
sion of life. But let me leave the
theoretical and get down to the prac-
teal
''Ina muph 10,
menace(J is vastly overestimated in
The States | find that by actual ex-
perence that our marvellous precau-
IONS and corporations with the
mighty British fleet have practically
taken the Kaiser trump card. the
SUB. 1t is not jumping the traces
OF rigid censorship when l tell Won
we were conveyed throughout our
uheVenttul journey to France.
although here only brief per-
lod, have seen the ancient Gaul in
us domestic and military life, and
mere Is a brief analogy and resume:
The proud highbrow who wouId
consider 1t calamity to wash dishes
VI perform some mental task is here
III france the lady elite. piteously
a'Aihg our soldiers at the barracks
ioF laundry to wash with the humble
assistance of dashboard. that she
may accrue a few confines a day to
Heip maintain France, its beloved off
spring and institutions. its ideal and
,"'ne' While father or brother or
A"'oahd Is at the front or dead.
SoheWhere in France she. noble souI
securing clothes to feed her babies
hume or to support some ones
9'u parents bereaved by war. She
'ounu behind the quaint yoke of
'Aen Flowing the field or driving a
'S't whose motive power is a re-
neu war horse which has been
1'' III the neck and does his farther
VI with silver tube in his throat
Drass circle under his neck
o'sh which he breathes. The
a. human and beast proceed with
',r parts, and this is a fact
r'u'lous demonstrating the
spirit of France.
ho az the dock 16 and II year old
a0yS come alongside the great trans
r. III a row boat and in their po-
h. way anXiously ask for a slice of
Th Tau cracker or anything to eat.
s,a' Icy greedily seized the cast-off
4hs ns OF orr soldiers with a hearty
sl IauA, The tiny madamoiselles
nov ISSUE scrambled frantically for a
h, or nickel thrown to them
h,, our sammies, and a quarter
mo,s d smile from the fair little
Al =. whose father or brother is dead
bo.-, 'front.', which would soften the
Tombs. - 0e'' oao man IN the
tbo AS We moved from one lock to
hair Osner an elderly lady with white
tbro,, S,ood by the rails and smiling
sans, multitude of tears at the