The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-04-12

poral answered, "BTime me, sir, the
straw was issued, but there wasn't
enough left over from the servants
beds; in fact, we had to use some Of
the 'ay to 'clp out, sir"
1t is needless to say that the sery-
ants dispensed with their soft beds
that particular night.
Nevertheless IL is not the fault of
the individual officer, 1t is just the sur
vival of II quaint old English custom.
You know an Englishman cannot be
changed in day.
But the average English officer is a
good sport. He will sit on fire step
and listen respectfully to Private
Jones' theory of the way the war
should be conducted. This war is
gradually crumbfng the once insur-
mountable wall of caste.
You would be convinced OF this II
you could see King George go among
his men on an inspecting tour under
lire, or pause before little wooden
cross In some sheTl-tossed field with
tears In his eyes as he reads the in
bend over a wounded man on q stretch
er, patting him on the head.
More than once In hospital I have
seen a titled Red Cross nurse fetching
and carrying for wounded soldier,
perhaps the one who In civil life de-
livered the coal at her back door. To
day she does not shrink from lighting
his fag or even washing his grimy
body.
Tommy admires Albert of Belgium be-
cause he is not a pusher of mon {; he
leads them. With him it's not n case
of take that trench" II is "come on
and we will take It,"
1t is amusing to notice the different
characteristics of the Irish, Scotch and
English soldiers. The Irish and Scotch
are very impetuous, especially when 1t
comes to bayonet fighting, while the
Englishman, though trif1e slower,
thoroughly does his bit; he Is more
methodical and has the grip of bull
dog on captured position. He is
slower to think that is the reason why
he never knows when he Is licked.
Twenty minutes before going over
the top the English Tommy will sit on
the fire step and thoroughly examine
the mechanism of his rifle to see that Ii
is in working order and Will fire prop
erly. After this examination he Is sat
isfied and ready to meet the Boches.
But the Irishman or Scotchman sits
on the fire step, his rifle with bayonet
fixed between his knees, the butt of
which perhaps is sinking into the mud
the bolt couldn't be opened with n
team of horses II Is so ruSty-but he
spits on his sleeve and slowly polishes
his bayonet; when this is done he also
Is ready to argue with Fritz.
1t is not necessary to mention the
colonials (the Canadians, Australians
and New Zealanders), the whole world
knows what they have done for Eng
land.
The Australian and New Zealander
Is termed the "Anzac," taking the
name from the first letters of their Of
ficial designation, Australian and New
Zealand army corps.
Tommy divides the German army
into three classes according to their
fighting abilities. They rank as fol-
lows: Prussians, Bavarians and Sax
ons.
When up against a Prussian regi-
ment 1t Is case of keep your napper
below the parapet and duck. A bang
bang oil the time and war Is on. The
Bavarians are little better but the
Snxons are fairly good sports and are
willing occasionally to behave as gen.
tlemen and take II easy hut Won cnn.