Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-03-28
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ering populace, but everything wa:
normal. People were calmly proceed
Ing to their work. Crossing the
street, accosted Bobbie with:
"Can you direct me to the place OF
damageT
He asked me, "What damage?"
In surprise, 1 answered, "Why, the
damage caused by the Zeps."
With a wink he replied:
''There was no damage; we missed
them again."
After several fruitless inquiries of
the passersby, l decided to go on my
own in search of ruined buildings and
scenes of destruction. l boarded bus
which carried me through Tottenham
Court road. Recruiting posters were
everywhere. The one that impressed
me most was a life-size picture of
Lord Kitchener with his finger point
ing directly at me, under the caption
of 'Your King and Country Need You"
No matter which way l turned, the
accusing finger followed me. l was
an American; In multi, and had little
American flag in the lapel of my coat.
had no king, and my country had
seen fit not to need me, but still that
pointing finger made me feel small and
III at ease. l got off the bus to try
TO dissipate this feeling by mixing
with the thrOng of the sidewalks.
Presently 1 came to a recruiting Of
Tns.f CT Of I,a.I-
lonely Tommy Atkins. decided to in
terview him in regard to joining the
British army. / opened the door, He
looked up and greeted me with 81 s'y,
myte, want to tyke on?"
looked at him and answered. "Well,
whatever that is, I'll take a chance
at it,"
Without the aid of an interpreter,
found out that Tommy wanted to know
If l cared to join the British army. He
asked me: did you ever hear of the
Royal Fusiliers?' Well, in London
you know, Yanks are supposed to know
everything. so l was not going to APP
Dear ignorant and answered, Sure"
After listening for one half-hour to
Tommy's tale of their exploits on the
firing line, I decided to join. Tommy
took me TO the recruiting headquarters,
where / met a typical English captain. |
He asked my nationality. I immed
ately pulled out my American passport |
and showed it to him. 1t was signed /
by Lansing. After looking at the |
passport. he informed me that he was
sorry but could not enlist me, as 1t
would be a breach of neutrality. l
Insisted that l was not neutral, be-
cause to me it seemed that a real
American could not be neutral when
zig things were in progress, but the
captain would not enlist me.
With disgust in my heart 1 went out
n the street. / had gone about a
flock when a recruiting sergeant who
lad followed me out of the office
appel me on the shoulder with his
wager stick and said: "S'y, l can
ret you in the army. We have a lief
enant' down at the other office who
an do anything. He has just come
nut of the o. It. c. (Oficers' Training
Orps) and does not know what neu-
rality is" I decided to take chance.
nd accepted his invitation for an in
reduction to the lieutenant. | entered
ne office and went up to him, opened
p my passport and said:
Before going further I wish TO state
hat | am an American. not too proud
fight, and want to join your army"
He looked at me i'm a nOnchalant
tanner. and answered. "That's all |
ght; we take anything over here"
looked at him kind of hard and re- /
lied. $50 I notice" but it went over
IS head. q
He got out an enlistment blank, and Il
acing his finger on blank line said b
Sign here" n
answered, ''Not on your tintype." II
81 beg your pardon?"
Then l explained to him that would a
It sign il without first reading it. / l
ad it over and signed for duration of RI
lr. Some of the recruits were lucky. N
ley signed for seven years onlyl 1t
Then he asked me my birthplace. m
swered. "Ogden, Utah" bi
He said, "Oh, yes, just outside of
w York;" "|
With a smile. I replied, "Well, it's up IN
? state a little"
Then | was taken before the doctor |
d passed as physically fit. and was or
ued a uniform. When l reported |
TX TO the lieutenant, he suggested | '
It. being an American. I go on re- he
Iitlng service and try TO shame some
the slackers into Joining the army" pu
All you have to do" he said. 'is to in;
out on the street, and when you see
young fellow In multi who looks
'sically fit. just stop him and give
] this kind Of talk: Aren't you
AIMED of yourself. Brltisher, phys
lily fit. and in mufti when your king for
country need you? Don't you ,
Nv that your country is at war and on,
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