The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-04-13
NEED PATRIOTISM
TO WIN The WAR
"Wake Up, America!" Should Be
Slogan of People of
United States.
TEXAS AVIATOR IN WARNING
Depreclates PatronIxino Air Of Some
Americans New to War-Boasts
Offered Friends in France,
Who Understand.

|
Austin, Tex.-Sergt. II. Clyde Balls
ley is the first Texan to return from
France as hero of the flying service
OF the Lafayette Escadrille, of which
he is member. Young Balsley's
home Is in San Antonio, and he Is q
| former student Of the University OF
Texas. He came to Austin few days
| ago upon invitation from his old-time
friends in the university to relate his
experiences. He is home on con-
valescent leave, having just recovered
from wounds received when attacked
by flock of German airmen. He fell
with his machine from a height of
1000 feet to an altitude of 1900 feet,
when he managed to right his airplane
and land safely behind the French
lines. He spent three years in the
flying service.
Patriotism Must Be Aroused.
wake up, America !" should be the
slogan Of the people of the United
States, Sergeant Balsley said while
here. 1T is SO terribly necessary
and right now-that the whole country
be filled with patriotism. It must
feel that on 1t, and it alone, rests the
outcome of this war. Until that time
do not believe Americas best efforts
can be put forth. For while no one,
think, would want to take one iota
of cheerfulness or happiness away
from our soldiers, still we who are at
the frOnt-the allies and the French
feel that Americans are too cOcksure
too full of braggadocio. Confidence
is all right, but man who does not
measure the enemy's resistance and
take into account that he is fighting
to the death, may stand to lose vast
odds just because of his shortsighted-
ness"
Balsley spoke Of bombing Germany
with American airplanes.
''Of course, it will take time. From
the French viewpoint 1t will be 1919
before Americans can really go In in
great forces, because she must get her
planes built and transported, and 1t
lanes timC, llIuc, lille. we IodiIy
think that In 1918 America will only
be able to take charge of some sec
lions of the front, and that it will be
two years before she can really make
herself felt in the real struggle"
OF German atrocities, Balsley would
not speak.
IT feel as though I never want to
shake hands with one of them again."
he. declared. "In the whole world
there is only one regard highly, and
he is in San Antonio; and because
felt he was so different 1 have hunted
him up. But only those who have
actually known the meanness and
cruelty of their methods over there
can understand what a terrible thing
their disregard of every principle of
right means"
Balsley has many souvenirs of the
war-several bayonets, a cap taken
from a German prisoner, some shells. |
4 German artillery belt, etc. In a
worn bit of cloth he carries the shell
which, bursting, shattered his thigh.
1.-THE nurse gave it to me after the
he explained.
In enlarging upon the American at |
.itude as viewed from the foreign |
standpoint Balsley went into details.
Attitude Misunderstood.
Il speak of American braggadocic
IS l have seen 1t in France and in
Paris and as have seen 1t from the
French angle. So many Of the boys
Who have gone over have more or less
adopted the attitude Of We'll, we're
sorry for you Trenches, but you
ion't know how to fight. Now that
we've come over we'll show you
hing or two OF course we that
lave been born and reared in Amer
ca understand that attitude. War
8 so new to this great peaceful coun-
ry that even after these years of the
truggle 1t is impossible for us to
ealize how big a thing and how ter
fble thing we are up against. We
re like a big overgrown boy trust
ng to his large muscle and cheerful
ess against prize fighter whose
nethods he knows absolutely nothing
bout, and therefore he cannot know
ow strenuous an adversary he has
0 underestimate his strength and to
atronize others who seek to caution
i'm against the fighter. The French
o not understand this at all and are
1clined to resent it. This, to my
lind is one Of the unfortunate facts
0 far of our going over and be-
eve our officials when they come to
ealize, will try to eradicate the spirit
nd put us on more OF a 'comrade-
hip basis towards those who have
Uttered SO much and whom we have
one out to help"
- L. -.