The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-02-09
A MATTER or DEFINITION.
BY Gerald Brandon.


IDNOR' Patriotism Duty Who
II can define these words?
l.ieutenanis Kerdrhjec and Cas-
ielgalant OF the balloon corps were dis
putting about their meaning and when
the show down came, each acted ac-
cordlng 10 his lights
II seems paradoxical that two men
actualed by identical motives should
entertain diametrcally opposed theories
regarding subjects so vital, but such is
human nature.
kgdraiec was a Breton from Neil
han headstfong and inilsxible like all
his race
"A mans first duty is 10 himself" he
would argue His personal honor
should be conserved Immaculate. re-
gardles' Of the expediency Of certain
acts which may seem TO serve his coun.
trys cause The nations honor is
based on the individual honor Of lis
citizens | love Ffanee because | am
proud Of is traditions and institutions
The moment that had cause to blush
man
Castelgalant. an inpuIsiye versatile
MarseillaiS, saw things differently.
What are we compared 10 France F"
he would counter hotly. What are our
selfish ideas regarding personal honor
that we should dare 10 weigh them in
the balance against our country's veal?
Il IS our duty 10 Sacriiic, everything,
even our seli-respect, should the sacri-
flee rebound to the benefit Of the land
that gave US birth"
Argued as Messmstss Laughed.
They would go on in this strain in
terminably much to the amusement of
their mess fellows whose less complex
natures were satisfied with action min.
rs discussion.
What usually started them off were
the published lists Of prisoners Ker-
dralec held that a man should die rather
than surrender; while Castelgalant in
sisted that a prisoner is an encun-
brance to the enemy and does his bit
even during his captivity.
On that morning ! had been assigned
to duty in an observation post, which.
cleycrly camoutlaged among the naked
trunks OF a shell-torn clump OF trees,
overlooked part OF the German lines.
A telephone receiver clamped about
my head, a good pair OF field glasses
glued to my eyes, | watched the dust
raised by our shells and reported re-
suits TO the battery commander.
Our target was concrete block
house some two thousand meters behind
the German lines. knew Just where
It was, but had great difficulty keeping
It within my field OF vision. on account
OF the ireshening wind With filled the
atmosphere with dust.
No. |. long. Distance good. No 2,
range correct Ten degrees to the right.
No. ), some $50 meteCs too short No
4, Just right Bullseye."
A gust OF wind, of hurricane velocity,
whistled through the tree stumps and
stirred up maelstrom OF dust and
debns telephoned to the battery to
cease firing and leaned back in my
shelter to await a calm.
Two Float Above Me.
Across the patch OF sky, which could
glimpse from my post, gray clouds sour
ried northward Below the moving
banks two shapelesS specks hung mo-
tlonless. They were our "saussices"
(sausages)-captive observation bal
looms, manned respectively by Lieuten-
ants Kerdrajec and Castelgalant
Too high to be reached by the Ger
man anti-arcraft guns, they were our
most valuable slookouts, commanding
the entire sector and warning us OF i'm
pending danger
The wind blew stronger and strong