New-York tribune., 1918-07-23
By Caspar Whitney
{ tSpecidl Cobb to The Tribxne)

YOU there we're no Americans mere,
oh ?" said young American army
doctor. bending over Boche and
bandaging a bayonet breast wound that
indicated the vigor behind the thrust.
Il was at an advanced dressing sta
ton, improvised in the open on q
roadside in the battered end Of small
village which up to the morning of
the Franco-American attack had been
in the possession of the Germans. On
all sides were wrecked houses and
shell-torn streets, which proved the ac-
curacv of the short Allied artillery
preparation.
Around US lay boys whose wounds
had been dressed while they were
awaiting their turn to be carried to
the ambulance station and thence to
The hospital over the low ridge di-
rectly in front of the long, new-made,
vet now well-worn path which disap-
neared among the shattered walls,
others being brought in from the bat
tle-swept area Immediately ahead on
stretchers carried mostly by Boche
prisoners, to which practical use they
we're put before being sent to join
several other prisoner groups herded to
the rear. In the country beyond US,
where Americans had first encountered
and surprised the Boche, was the
mingled litter of VARIETIES, bayonets,
ammunition, helmets, chiefly Boche
clothing, blankets-and shell holes in
plentv where the boys had fought the
Boche back.
"Walking Cases" Confident.
Beside us the winding road teemed
10 overfowing with the grim phases OF
war making. A burning tank nolslly
made its way forward through the busy
medicos and the uncomplaining
wounded; three handy little horses
drawing ammunition carts were press
ing closely for passage, while over
head the sonorous hum of the aero
planes was broken by the whining song
of the shells, some coming. some going
and some finding nearby mark to
deepen the tone of the tragic panorama
and further to swell the toll which
Young America is beginning to pay in
order to help rid the world of Boche
Kultur.
Slowly and painfully waking sysaxi,,s {:
cases" picked their way, filterlng
through 2 lane made by a fresh bat
talon awaiting call and meanwhile
resting, eating, eager to offer COM
fort to their luckless mates and as
ready TO chaff the slightly wounded.
At crossroads only a few kilometres
away two young uniformed women of
the National League for Women's Ser
vice halted their car and gave out
cigarettes and tobacco to the high JOY
Of the passing American and French
soldiers.
No Cries of Pain.
Farther back on the main road an
ever moving dust enveloped column
of motor trucks speeding day and
night to the line with men, food, am
munition and guns. There was no
outcry or alarm in this dressing sta
ton, where the rack of the grievous
wound had replaced the eager thrill
of the morning. There were only pa
tience and courage and the desire to
mend quickly in order to "get at 'em
again
Such was the expressed sentiment
Of the many wounded boys with whom
l talked on the line during the first
and second days of the present Of
tensive.
did the fellows keep on gong?"
asked one shot through the thigh,
whom found lying at the edge of the
field. When told of the fine results OF
the advance in which he had taken
rart he said: "Well, then, I've no kick
coming"
There are plenty more like us back
there, and we're going to put Mr.. Boche
on the toboggan," contided another to
me in the slow, difficult speech of one
who is shot through the breast. "We've
got their number" literally shouted r
youngster with shattered arm, lying
alongside of Boche machine gun he
and six others had silenced.
And We are going to give them hell
and then some more" Such is the
spirit of these boys, the majority of
them not having before been under
lire. 1t certainly gives reason for pride
and confidence.
From Soissons to Chateau Thierry,
though his numbers and his part, of
with the battle line and the men tn
gagged, the American has done that
part thoroughly we'll, and we shalt
shortly have further and increasing
reason to be proud of him and his
hghtlng spirit as more and more he
takes his place in the Forefront
Particularly was I impressed with
the average soldier boys easy mind
]ust at going in and coming out of the
battle, which is sure indication Of a
mans mette. We knew the Ameri-
cans would show courage, and now we
Know that they also have the power of
coordination to prove the excellence
OF their training and discipline.
ouch assignments as these boys
had were at very important moments
and sectors, and they have done as
we'll as the best, which is praise in
oeed. Yet must we not permit COM
placent overconfidence, of which al
ready see evidence, because of our
boys good work.
us long road to the Rhine, and we
.aVe but Just entered upon it. There
Is Is stlll much for the boys to learn of
,ne hard. complex fighting game, and
4nher'ca must prepare herself to pay
sne nigh price which the aggressive
ssplrlt of her sons will entail. We may
;;eei' however, confident in their learn
Ing quickly and doing their full share
~ ,he present drive on the Boche
''foss the Chateau Thierry salient
Boche Plan Failure
we are on the eve of very interest
ing developments, which the Germans
push east toward Epernay inaugurated
IN giving Foch an opening for which
masterfully he has been patiently
s"alting. doubtless feeling that German
''up'dity would finally reveal itself.
p.e Ihe numbering Boche plan of taking
rams, via Rhai NO a,J Eoorr.,, ~