New-York tribune., 1918-02-19
lBy 11le Associated pressl

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Feb. II. = General Persning
has completed a two days inspection
or the American sector northwest Of
Toul. In "tin hat" with gas mask
swung over his chest the American
commander in chief walked through all
the first line trenches, splashing
through the mud and slipping on the
ice. He dropped down into the dugouts
and visited batteries busy hurting
"iron rations" at the enemy.
In all places the general asked in
Vulnerable questions of the men, cspc
cially with regard to food. how they
were and how they liked conditions.
All except ono cook agreed that they
were perfectly satisfied with every
thing. To the cook General Pcrshing
said:
"You are getting enough to eat!''
"No, sir" the cook replied.
WHAT" said the general. "You. the
cook, ard do not get sufficient food!
l never heard Of a cook in such con-
dition before"
"Wcll, sir, did not mean that OK
actly. mean not enough Variety
General pcrshing asked what he had
had for dinner to-day. The cook re-
piled that he had roast beef, potatoes,
onions, white bread, coffee and rice
pudding.
Wanted Some Green Stuff
"That seems like a considerable
Variety" remarked the general. "What
else do you WANT"
"Wcll. I would like to have some
green stuff, SIR
General Pershing then turned to a
long line of soldiers with mess Kits In
their hands and asked:
here ?"
The line saluted briskly, and almost
IN a chorus came the reply:
eyes, sir"
The general next appeared in rcgi-
mental headquarters in a dugout III a
town which has been riddled bv shells.
The colonel was not there at the lime.
and the commander in chief called .or
all trench and other orders and I'll
papers. He sat down and read through
every one of them.
In the dugouts General PerSnlng
suggested some few changes here and
there, and in the trenches he also Gl-
rected that some small changes be
made.
From we'll situated point, through
glasses, General Pcrshing inspected
Mont Sec and the German observation
posts on top Of it. from which the
enemy has the American lines under
observation for twenty miles when the
visibility is good. Because of the haze
the general was unable to see the
spires of Metz, which are visible on
clear days.
Didn't Recognize Commander
Many soldiers in line recognized the
commander in chief as he passed or
stopped to question them. but others
did not. One young infantryman. after
General Pershing and the general IN
command Of that particular brigade
had passed, asked:
"Who is that with the four stars en-
his coat
A comrade informed him. wherea2on
the inquisitive one replied:
"Is that so? Who ever saw com
mander IN chief of an army walking
around in a trench asking some private
whether he had enough to eat or hls
feet were dry? 1t is not being done" }"
1t took lieutenant to convince the
doubtful soldier that it was General
Pershng he had seen.
Throughout the inspection tour Gen
erul Pershing limped little, his ankle
having been injured slightly few
days ago. At the batteries the general
asked the artilerymen the same ques-
tons as he put to the infantry nan,
making sure that all were contented
and had no cause for complaint.
Similar inspection trips will be made
from time to time by General Persh'nG'
as the general is determined that the