The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-10-15
PoILu A MODEL SOLDIER.
French General Recalls Gen. Bells Eulogy
Made IL Years Ago.

An appreciation of the poilu which the
war has more than justified was made
as far back as September, 1905, by Gen
eral j. Franklin Bell at dinner given
in Paris by the American military mis-
sion, of which he was the head sent to
observe the autumn maneuvers of the
French army. This fact is recalled in
a recent issue of the Petit journal by
high French officer who signs himself
General X''
In this beautiful country General
Bell is quoted as saying, ''we have adj
mired so many things that it is difficult
to say what must be admired the most
For my part the respectful but cordial
and friendly sentiment professed by the
French soldier toward his superior has
impressed me profoundly. 1t is in terms
of affectionate respect that he addresses
himself to his generals and his other
chiefs. Everywhere he manifests the de-
sire to please his officers.
His intelligence, always alert. is ole
| of the characteristics of the French peo-
pie. The greatest efforts are obtained
from the French soldier without its be-
! ing necessary to have recourse to Sc
verify. His indefatigable energy and his
endurance have filled me with such ad-
miration that / deem him worthy of a
special tribute for so many fine qualities
1T is, therefore, great honor for me
to drink to a man, always willing, al
ways in good humor, singing when he is
hungry, CARRYING a horses load and
marching more quickly than horse, and
contented even without hay or straw if
none is procurable.
Il drink to the health of the French
private soldier"
Ten years later. on the banks of the
Somme, General X-- says his poilus
brought to him German colonel they
had captured with dozen other officers
and about 500 men. He questioned the
colonel, who was from Wurttemberg. and
asked him for his impressions.
Il have just observed, while crossing
your trenches said the German, what
familiar relations exist between you
soldiers and their officers. One would
think that in your army there was nc
discipline. How can YOU win with sucI
a condition of things?''
1T would have been easy to answer
him since 1915" continues the writer
by simply evoking the glorious names
of the Marine, the Grand Courrone- d.
Nancy, the User, immortal monument
to the glory of our soldier and his in
teiligent discipline But one does no
try to convince a German of what h
cannot understand. Facts themselve
have difficulty in doing this"
-Four years of the hardest kind o
warfare have brought the most striking
confirmation of General Bells iudgmen
at the grand maneuvers. 1t is becaus
the American, a man of high ideals an
moral discipline, was capable in peac
/; times of Judging thus the French soldie
that his sympathy went out to him i
the most critical moments at the be
ginning of the war 1t was because h
understood him that he was drawn to
ward him by affinities that were quickl
created on the field of battle. where boil
in the same ranks, illustrate that init
mate confraternity, that fusion of heart:
which are the conditions of success.
The German, man of theoretical at
solution ana brutal discipline-'the dis
! cipline OF the first and the smash in tn
jaws surprised by the enigma whic
his inaptitude at psychology prevents hir
e from working out Another officer
Prussian--taken prisoner in Artois e1
claimed in front of us: All if we Ia
\ your men!' and stopped, thoughtful. Fl
realized the fact, but stopped before til
problem"