Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-18
NATIONAL ARMY
 MEN BEST, SAYS
 FRANK IRIPLETT
Pine Bluff Youth in France Tells of Seeing Southern
 Division Going to Battle.

l O4VAoAOA 0OAAA$ " A~S~OoAI' A southern division of the National Army, swinging along at good stride toward the battle line in France, was one of the most inspiring sights he saw, according to a letter from Frank Triplett, in the paymas- ter corps in France, to his father, c. H. Triplett, president of the National Bank of Arkansas. Despite their heavy packs, the men trudged along and gave notice of their cheerfulness by signing or whistling, he said. The National Army is superior to the regular army and the national guard, in the opinion of young Triplett.
 Young Triplett has been in France several months, after making four ef- forts to get into the fray. First he tried the navy, then the army and then sought to enter a training camp but he was rejected for physical dis qualifications. Being we'll qualified from an educational standpoint he of fered his services to the quarter masters department for clerical work. He had had experience in his fathers bank and a far-sighted off cer who needed good clerks got him into the paymaster's corps. A month later he sailed for France.
 His letter, which tells of many in teresting things, among them the dearth of young and middle aged men in the German army, follows:
 "We stayed just long enough where we were (when we were first located in France) to get things fixed fine, and then we got started to moving and now we're here. Those who have a deep felt grudge against the Huns will soon be able to put their feeling into action. Before we left we got up mess of fifteen of the non coms of the detachment, including two of the sergeants of the corps of inter- preters and two others who could talk French. We would draw our daily rations for fifteen and have it cooked and served for us in house according to our order and not as we had to take it.
 "I also managed to draw a billet back there and was pleased enough with it, for it was scrupulously clean and the madame was very solicitous that I had few extra attentions, for which she got an expected "souven- ir" when I left. The bed was very small and wasn't as big as the kids bed, but was pretty wide so l could lie from the southeast corner and get in. It seemed to have been made as an afterthought. There was a space something over five feet between two walls, so few boards were used to put up a side and bottom.
 "There was nothing to the little town we were in outside of a few small cafes where we could get a drink within certain hours and quan- titles. I don't ever forget how one night was going to show how much French I knew and be sure the made moiselle understood me. So made my best efforts, and expected a "wee wee" for my pains. Instead she said, "I got you Steve" l don't think there is any use trying to learn this language for they manage to sell us what we want somehow.
 "I'm glad we left there, and the trip here in box cars) is one Pm glad I had. It was great trip and the scenery was wonderful im- provement over what we had seen be fore Eve seen enough of France now to know that there are parts over here I'd like to live in. The French box cars are about half long as ours and the capacity is 36-4O 'h'ommes'' 4 (men) or 8 chevaux (horses). Be- cause we were to spend the night on- ly thirty of us with our packs and ra- tions were allowed to get in one car. They are superior to ours for passen- ger service in that the sides have big ! openings and the floors have good cracks for ventilationI. retired to my berth early and chose strategic position before the enemy rushed up- on the ground My rain coat, blanket and shelter half leach man carries half little "pup" tent) were my base of supplies, and regardless of flat wheel, there was comparatively little uneasiness felt in my sector. About 1 a. m. we made halt, and many of our band fell out for coffee which was served by the station. and in their absence I improved by situation and defended it successfully against all corners until dawn, when hostilities ceased.
 I've detrained at fine town and stayed two days. I wouldn't have minded staying there, but the only Germans we could find whereabouts were prisoners. They were either men boys or old men poor appearance pleased me- and it seemed that they were not displeased at all over being prisoners. While at this place I went through big old cathedral, and it is wonderful to me how such pieces of heautiful architecture can be built through several generations. It's aw, ful to think how many of these and other works of art the Germans have destroyed.
 "Just before we left our first base, the advance party of the division to relieve us arrived. It was a national army (draft) division from the South | I can't tell you the number nor where