New-York tribune., 1918-06-26

or lead in his stomach he may de-
veiop pessimism in the most optimistic
environment, for pessimism comes
from within, not from without. One
may even hear it in the war zone from
newly arrived Americans. I recall one
colonel, who talked like a wet hen
among a group of British officers, who
good naturedly disagreed with his lu
dicrous views, and asked me after his
departure if we had many Americans
to whom the future appeal was so for
bidding.
Tommy is fed up on the war, but not
SO fed up as to alter the determination
to beat the Boche, nor so fed up as to
follow Lansdowne or any other advo
cate of negotiated and. therefore,
temporary peace. Nor is the poilu,
also fed up, to be satisfied with an in
determinate peace. nor is any other
fighter in or out of the line. The whole
world is fed up on war. but the same
part of the world realizes that only
through war to victory shall we come
to permanent peace.
All Are Confident
They'll Beat Boches
Depression in the British army ex-
lists solely in the vaporings of town
gossips. From the clear-eyed, simple
hammered, forcefu1 General Haig down
through all the officers and men with
whom I came in touch there is quiet
pride in the tenacious courage of the
men who could stand off an overwhelm-
ing number of Germans flung at them
and all have confidence in their ability
to beat the Boche in the end.
The British army has heads and tails
up, as one of it's generals once ex-
pressed it. In Germany perhaps there
may be real depression just about now,
but not on this side of the line have
I discovered signs either in the Brit
jsh or French trenches, and certainly
not among the Americans, where the
joy of combat is rampant.
The training of the Americans goes
we'll, and is fitting us to the more
quickly taking our full share in the
great task of opposing the hercest
Boche endeavors to batter down the
Allied defence this summer
Mixing two English-speaking peo-
Piles is making for solidarity now and
closer relations, as they should be for
all time between Great Britain and
America We shall find mutual profit
in the association now as later. Such
Of our boys as bring over the school
taught or fancied prejudice which, Of
course, they do not really feel, lose
it on getting acquainted with the
Britisher.
Including their officers, some do not
talk, but soon learn that if not so
fresh and eager, Tommy is equally
ready and determined and better
equipped by experience and tempera-
ment to do his part in the trenches
Training shoulder to shoulder, talking
their own language with these men
who have gone over the top and faced
the worse the Boche has to give, is
Of inestimable worth to our soldiers,
who are doing excellently, and means
the saving of thousands of their lives
experience for which the British paid
so dearly, and which they now give us
so freely with both hands.
Wonders Worked
By Amalgamation
Such is the significance of the
amalgamation by brigading our men
among the British and French, for
which let US be thankful, because it
is putting our boys into battle along
side and under veterans who have been
through the ordeal of this hellish kind
of warfare the Boche has forced upon
us.
The same amalgamation plan would
operate equally to the advantage Of
our cavalry. and especially our tank
battalions, which should be sent, as
they have not been yet, to the British
for training. The tank will play a tre-
mendously important role in this war
before it is settled. and we should
prepare our men at once with the
British, who stand ready to help, and
are now using English field kitchens,
Enfield rifles, Vickers machine guns
and Lewis guns.
England can now supply our me-