Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-09
OVER AND ACROSS

ts-Het Al YOU CbIl ~ ONOA, SoAAAS ~S'0o'
II the message Of the Liberty Bono
salesman. And just now, as we avian
nsWs from France that the boys VINO
could 60 over there are in the greatest
battle in history, we will have the op
portunity to come across and back W
their loyal devotion by patriotic enor,
on our own part by the purchase OF
Liberty Bonds, by actual demonstra'
ton OF our readiness to share with
them as much as we may the burdens
and sacrifices of the war.
How many OF US here at home, COD
died, comfort-loving, horror-shy Amer
+ leans, impressed with the tragedy OF
the present hour, are conscious also OF
the glory Of 1t? Things are happening
today which, will be made the subject
Of story and song in centuries to come
Under the leaden skies that roof the
I Picardx battle field our soldiers are
participating in scenes which Guido
the most ambitious flights Of fancy OF
our popular authors In their efforts to
picture events that might glorify their
pens.
4 Correspondents who are privileged
10 write the few descriptive stories OF
the American movement to the battle
some pay particular attention to the
dramatic, psychological aspect OF the
troops entering battle. Philip Gibbs
writes:
Our armies have lived with an
intense understanding OF the
4 greatness of these days, of their
/ meaning to the destiny Of the
world, and every private soldier,
# transport driver, linesman or la
borer has been exalted by emo
ton stronger than the effect OF
drugs. They laugh in the same
old way. at any Joke on the road.
They go marching up to the battle
line with unfaltering feet, with
bands leading them to the edge of
its hre zone. It is like a pageant
as they pass, these long columns
OF men in steel hats, shouldering
II heavy packs with rifles slung. and :
these miles long Of transports and
these endless teams of mule driv-
ers and wagon drivers, and
streams Of mounted men.
Junius B. Woods Of the Chicago
Daily News staff sends this sentence
In his story:
On this day, as the trucks and
horses splattered the mud, and
water dripped in the faces Of the
men from their tin hats" they
sang lusty choruses and waved
their hands to the aged peasants
along the roadside. and to the chill
dren in the village streets.
This IL Of our boys, marching to
battle. These are pictures that will
live in literature and history. But the
most hsartening Of all to American
patriots at this hour Is the simple
statement by the Associated Press cor
respondent with the American army
IN France. He cabled: The muddy
roads were jammed again today with
the Americans on the move"
Thank God there are enough Amer-
cans In France to jam the roads on the
way TO the scene OF action, and to jam
them again today" And as the Amer
leans took up the march they were
speeded on their way by comrades In
arms who shouted. Eat 'em up" and
'A0ee, you fellows are in luck"
These boys have arrived ut true
appraisal Of values in the war. They
arc alive to the part they are playing
,aad the responsibility that 10 theirs
IN this greatest drama In the worlds
history.
It seems little enough. when We con
slider their portion, for VI to come
across" In tho Liberty Bond campaign.