The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-03-22

ering populace, but everything was
normal. People were calmly proceed
ing to their work. Crossing the
street, accosted n Bobbie with:
"Can you direct me to the place of
damage?"
He asked me, "What damage?"
In surprise, l answered, "Why, the
damage caused by the Zeps."
With wink he replied:
"There was no damage; we missed
them again"
After several fruitless inquiries of
the passersby, / decided to go on my
own in search of ruined buildings and
scenes Of destruction. | boarded bus
which carried me through Tottenhum
Court road Recruiting posters were
everywhere. The one that impressed
me most was life-siZe picture of
Lord Kitchener with his finger point
ing directly ut me, under the caption
of "Your King and Country Need You"
No matter which way / turned. the
accusing finger followed me. was
An American, in mufti, and had little
American flag in the lapel of my coat.
i had no king, and my country had
seen fit not To need me, but still that
pointing finger made me feel small and
Ill at ease. / got off the bus to try
TO diSSipate this feeling by mixing
with the thrOng of the sidewalks.
Presently l came to recruiting Of
flee. Inside, sitting at desk was "a
lonely Tommy Atkins. i decided tn in
terview him in regard to joining the
British army. | opened the door He
looked up and greeted me with "I s'y
myte, want to tyke on?"
looked at him and answered, "Well
whatever that is, I'll take chance
at it,"
Without the aid OF an Interpreter,
found out that Tommy wanted TO know
If 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 | was not going TO ap-
pear ignorant and answered, "Sure."
After listening for one hnlf-hour to
Tommy's tale of their exploits on the
firing line, / decided to join. Tommy
took me TO the recruiting headquarters,
where met typical English captain.
He asked my nationality. immcdi-
ately pulled out my American passport
and showed 1t 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 II
would be a breach of neutrality. /
insisted that l was not neutral, be-
cause to me 1t seemed that II real
American could not be neutral when
big things were in progress, but the
captain would not enlist me.
With disgust I'm my heart I went out
in the street. / had gone about a
block when recruiting sergeant who
had followed me out of the Office
tapped me on the shoulder with his
swagger stick and said: "S'y, 1 can
get you in the army. We have a lief.
tenant down at the other office who
can do anything. He has Just come
out of the o. T. G. (Oficers' Training
corps) and does not know what neu.
trality is" / decided to take chance
and accepted his invitation for an In.
PRODUCTION to the lieutenant. entered
the office and went up to him, opened
up my passport and said:
Before going further I wish to state
that am an American. not too proud
to fight, and want to join your army
He looked at me in nonchalant
manner, and answered, "That's al
right; we take anything over here"
looked at him kind Of hard and re
piled, $50 1 notice." but IT went ovcl
his head.
He got out an enlistment blank, ant
placing his finger on a blank line said
"Sign here"
answered aNot nm vour tintvpav