Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-03-28

Pep and Petain are synonymous!
Pep is defined as "unrestrained en-
thusiasm." General Henri Philippe
Petain, commander in chief of the
French armies on the French front
today, is living example Of unlimi-
ted energy and unrestrained enthus-
iasm. He is a speed demon with his
motor car. During the height of the
fighting around Verdun it is said he
drove fourteen chauffers almost to
death in two months. Most of
his directing during this great battle
was done from his armored car, which
he ordered driven at break neck speed
everywhere and anywhere. He has
as much contempt for German shells
as native of Jersy mosquito. In
fact, it is said that he becomes rest
less when the front isn't active. 1t
is nothing for"him to quickly climb a
tree in order to obtain better view
of the surrounding country Gen
eral Petain cares little for dignity;
he demands results, and to obtain
them effectively he goes about it in
his peculiarly unique manner.
When Kaiser William unsheathed
the sword of conquest in the summer
of 1914 it found Petain spending his
leisure time at his chateau in France
as a retired colonel. He was imme-
diate1y recalled, and it was the opinion
among eminent French strategists
that because of his brilliant military
career Colonel Petain, if given the
opportunity, would be the man and
possess the necessary iniative to
bring about a decisive victory for the
French on their front. How well
their idol realized their expectations
is told in the noble defence of Verdun.
Verdun the impregnable! When the
Germans went up against the irwin
cibility of the French army under an
able leader.
General Petain today is sixty three
years old He was born near Calais,
and after liberal education he
served with the Chausseurs a Pied.
He was ranked as a captain in 1890
and passed two years in the famous
Ecole Superieure de Guerre before
being admitted to staff standing.
Eleven years later we find him
major and professor of military
tactics at the Ecole Superieure His
first command after the war broke
out was an infantry brigade. Shortly
he became general of division and
was assigned to his old brigade. The
next month found him a general of
| division for the duration of the war.
In citing his service during the first
months of the war it is but to drive
home the exact type Of man who is
now commanding the French armies.
His rise during the latter part of 1915
through 1916 and 1917 up to the
present date is buta matter of history.
There is one popularity about the man.
He obstinately refuses to have his
picture taken, but present day camera
men are not to be put off so easily
and number of good snap shots
have been taken--and taken una
wares. From one of those the NEW
YORK HERALD staff artist-the
famous Nadherny-has succeeded ir
painting striking likeness of the
famous French General.
This painting in colors, which has
in it "the pep" the same as Genera
Petain will appear onrhe front cove,
of the magazine of the War for March
81, while on the back cover will BIZ
painted full page in colors ofFrencf
Military Cut Outs. These cut-outs
are quite an Innovation and depict
correctly every branch Of the French
service, including the present wars
"piece de resistance" the famous
"75s." 1t will be recalled that TIL