The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-29
FRANCES FAITH IN AMERICA.

The present week marks the beginning of the
fifth wear of the war; AT first glance the past
wear seems to have brought about little change
in ehe general situation, especially for the peo
nile behind the lines who do not study or care
about strategy, but who are swayed by the out
standing facts of events, and the loud voices of
rumor and enemy propaganda.
Paris is in the heart of the rear. For four
years that heart has been beating as proudly, as
defiantly, or as family as the march of circum-
stances would let it beat. And yet, last winter,
brighter than ever, the heart of Paris did not
beat as strongly as today. The morale of the rear
was not so high as it is today. Depression, pes
sirnism, doubt have failed. A change has come
over the people of France.
1t is solid American accomplishment in France
which is keeping courage hight above the zero
line today. France regiments of American
engineers building railroads and docks, INSTALL
ing huge cranes by the score, erecting ware
houses and storage plants. She sees French
villages transformed by the arrival of American
aviation students. The civilians of these vii
lagos, and the civilians of the seaport cities
where the engineers have worked their indus
trial miracles, have told Paris all about them.
Solid facts. Verified reports. More than the
earnest cooperation which the coming of the first
American troops gave France. All in all real
strength weapon with which to combat rumor
and propaganda which work against civilian
morale
How necessary this is only the leaders know
For the enemy is at work. In England they call
it the Hidden Hand and in France one hears
frequently of the "defeatists" denoting
forces which are deliberately or with criminal
ignorance, serving Potsdam against the world
The enemies of victory have not hesitated to
malign the Americans in France They have
raked up counterpart of the old story which the
Germans started three years ago-the lie that
once the British were let into Northern France
they would never relinquish it,
This is but one kind of Misunderstanding prop
uganda. In Russia and in Italy the German
agens worked, and successfully too, before the
army struck. In Italy the snake was discovered
in time, and the country saved. But the menace
of repetition is always present, and for all ma
tions.
For probably the first time since the war be-
gun the press of the Allied nations was left free
to discuss a coming offensive, the expected Ger
man blow on the western front, and, so far as
France is concerned, it is the unanimous opinion
that this freedom has helped to strengthen the
morale of the rear. And not only strengthen
but prevent, insidious German propaganda from
spreading. But the cautious still warn of assaults
on morale in France and America. The United
States is included because Allied leaders are GER
tain that, now Germany is convinced that the
United States is to be the most important
factor in the world conflict, propaganda will be
started there that will outrival everything at
tempted in Russia.
France is passing bravely through the dark
months preceding her triumph And there is
not only faith and courage in France, and an in
domitable morale, but the light of victory has
been seen nearby. The Americans are keeping
that light burning
COUNTY AGENT MOVEMENT CROWS