Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-19
Our BOYS Over There.


When we see men well past the
middle age standing in front of bull
letin boards or reading the news re-
ports Of the way their Toys are go
ing to it" on the west front, we can
begin to understand the meaning Of
real patriotic fervor.
That's the stuff! Give 'em b,
boys" shouted an old chap on an
early morning car, Wednesday.
Another $50 if a minute) banged a
gnarled old fist into his palm and
said: Gee. I wish 1 was with 'em!"
And then. on Thursday, came the
London and Paris dispatches telling
Of great enthusiasm created by the
exploits of American units. Makes
US old boys long for the younger
years we have passed, when we read
what the foreign papers are saying
of our boys, doesn't it? The London
Telegraph editora,ly comments:
The feature of the battle upon
which the eyes of all the world is
fixed, and those of the enemy with
particular intentness, is the conduct
of the American troops. The mag
nificent counter attack in which the
American army corps flung back the
Germans upon the Marine after they
had crossed, was much more than the
outstanding event of the first days
fighting. 1t was one or the histori-
cal incidents Of the whole war in its
moral significance"
Our French comrades should ad
NIT the chief honors IN the initial
! days go to the resistance of the
! American troops" says the Graphic.
The Americans showed the enemy
/ the stern stuff of which they are
made and also proved by their tao
tics that they have taken the meas
ure of Ludendorff's favorite method.
They demonstrated the wisdom of
the policy Of hitting at an offensive
as soon as it shows itself"
by far the most interesting and
gratifying event of the battle says
! the Daily News, was the achieve
ment of the Americans. They held,
perhaps. the most critical position
and kept their front intact. Their
success has a significance which the
enemy will best apprec ate.
The Germans have been buoyed
UP with a belief that TIE war would
be over before the American factor
in the struggle became a reality.
That belief is now shattered It
! never can be restored That is the
momentous fact that energies from
the battle Of Fossoy."
Feels good. doesn't il?
And then we read Of a proposed
Investigation" Of the refusal Of the
American commander 20 restrain his
troops as suggested by the French
commander over him. The counter
, blow was delivered before the en-
envy had time to congratulate him
self on his success in forcing the
Americans back. And the Americans
took a half mile additional for good
measure in retaking the territory
. lost.
' We predict that this good-naturet
G refusal to accept the suggestion of {
: higher officer will not go very far
. for nobody loves fighter who love:
: to fight any better than does the
t French officer high in command
$ And again. as the London Graphic
remarks:
1.-THE Americans have taken thu
: measure Of Ludendorff's favorit'
4. method. They demonstrated +h'
It wisdom Of the policy Of hitting at a,
e offensive as soon as it shows itself.
r In other words, the Americans TAX
d drive hot off the bat and handle il
e OF course none of us should in
q dulge in idle boasting but there is n
Z law against swelling ont our chest