New-York tribune., 1918-04-30
France Sends Hundred
Poilus and Officers
Fresh From Front
Crowds Almost Strip
Heroes of Buttons
All Wounded and Wear
War Decorations; Mod
est Regarding Feats

WIN A-"oo A4Sloiy at NerUun and the
Marne-are in New York. They de-
scended upon the city yesterday with
the mud of Cambrai and La Fore still
caked upon their boots and the din of
battle still ringing in their ears. They
are members of tho famous chasseurs
pied, known Familiarity to the Kai-
ser's men as "the blue DEVILS" Every
one OF them wears the French War
cross Tor exceptional valor, many have
the still more treasured Military
Medal, the highest honor that France
can pay private soldier, and the
much-coveted Legion OF Honor.
Their dark blue tunics are covered
with active service stripes, bars repre-
senting wounds received and other en-
blems of heroism; their bodies are
scared and SCARED. Their faces
cIean shaven, contrary to the general
usage OF French troops-were drawn
ana lined yesterday with the strain of
battle, but their eyes cleaned with
pleasure and confidence as they
marched through the city, responding
10 the cheers of the welcoming crowds
with vigorous shouts of "Vive lAmer-
lQuel"
Gave Away Their Medals
The arrival Of the Frenchmen came
as a surprise even to the renresenta-
tives OF the French government here.
Supmarine dangers had inspired orders
lor absolute secrecy concerning their
departure. AS 1t was, submarine en-
countered their vessel a few miles ont
OF bordeaux, but a few we'll placed
shots from the steamships guns dis
couraged any idea of an enlightenment.
The following fourteen days on ship
board passed without incident.
how long the blue Devils" will re-
nam IN this country is known to no
one but officials of the French govern
ment, it was said. But the next few
days at least are expected to be snent
IN New York seeing the sights, hob
nobbing with the fifty Pershing yeter-
ans who have just returned from
France and helping along the Liberty
Loan drive by meeting the crowds at
Liberty Land, in the 69th Regiment
Armory.
The first move made by the arriving
poilus yesterday was to visit Liberty
Loan headquarters, in the Equitable
Building, where they were received bv
members of the French High Commits.
sion and given an ovation by a strug-
gilng mass Of stenographers and Office
workers. In response to a general do.
dlvested themselves of buttons and hat
straps and, in some cases, even of one
or TWO OF the many medals which thew
face death to win. Guy Emerson. head
OF the publicity department Of the Lib
erty Loan Committee, had to appeal to
the souvenir seekers to desist. But the
poilus, with unexampled aniahilitv
protested that the requests were wei.
come.
What is medal more or less %
shrugged corporal from Verdun,
Five officers in Party
The men are commanded by five com.
mlssioned officers whose names are
household words in France Every one
OF them has received all of the military
honor that France can pay them, and
one-Lieutenant Marcel Levie, the
youngest man in France to receive the
Legion Of Honor-wears also the Eng
lish War Cross.
But | am not happy with medals
alone said Lieutenant Levie. "Un-
fortunately, am unable to fight The
boches wounded me six times and | re
covered. but then they blinded me and
captured me-. Now | have a glass eye
cent efficient. Furthermore, / am an
exchanged prisoner, and as such can.
not participate further in the war"
Questioning developed that Lieuten-
ant Levie had been blinded at Douai-
ment by a bursting grenade and that
eyes and lead him back to the trench
his men We're defending. There, for six
hours, sightless and in agony. he haf
directed the defence and saved his
trench. Refusing to retire, he hat
participated in further fighting and haC
been captured and taken to Heidelberg
where German physician operate,
upon his eyes.
He ruined one of them, the villain!
said the lieutenant. ~ regret I canno
pay them for that"
PoiIus Expert Heroes
Lieutenant Levie was undergoing tn,
prescribed term of French military ser
vice at Dunkirk when the war brok,
out. Four days later he was fighting il
Belgium. In September, 1914, he wa,
shot through the stomach at Berry au
Bac. On March 10, 1915, he was wound
ed four times with dun dunn bullets
one piercing his lungs. He was nine
teen years old then and was decorated
with the Legion of Honor.
The story, told haltingly and in tn,
embarrassment of modesty, was paral
the same degree Of hestancy. When
ever the questioning veered around tt
exploits Of personal bravery they main
tanned silence.
ASK the private about bravery" sait
Lieutenant Roger elluzeau, wearer o
ene Crolx de Guerre, wi4h two citation
seaIs. They are expert heroes day il
ana gay out. If there is one thing O
tha; Wnich we are proud it is that we ar
And the Men Praise Officers
SO Private Louis Hadin, Of the Eight
lhlantry, was asked about his Wa
Cross He replied that the tall build
ings in New York were wonderful ey
pressed his interest in the renorter
and said he had "the honor Of he;n,
somewhat related to the e'H fa,a o. Of Ie,n. ionr
nalism, he having been nressn1sn 49, -,
LIE Progress" of Lyons, before 4h - rya -
lie Progress has had to ston ;ss,,
ing" ne said, con account of thap 49, .soa
shortage. My wife told me the thst pape
passed through Lyons on NV Wv wen aS =
Bordeaux to come here. 1t was 49,
first time / had seen my wife for ~,
year: 1t was only for FIVE minntes o' T.
al have been with my fam;lv ori, !,
fifty-two and half hours since '4,. ~.
war began" ''"'e 'h'
"But how about your decorations .,
was suggested. ''''
II am nothing" was the ,enly
"Voila. ask my lieutenant; thcre he -
Lieutenant Cluzeau He led as whe1
all the nthnr nff;core !, FoI '' y,