Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-25

Relying on America to back them up
to the end. the soldiers Of France ana
England are fighting today with
morale a. strong as they have shown
at any time during tho war.
This ia the optimistic message which
Lieut.. (Fsthsr) George NJ. Salvage OF
the French army. brings back to the
people Of the United States. after hav-
ing mingled with the allied armies IN
nearly every big battle Of the war
Father Salvage Is back at the Cath
olio University in this city today, AFTER
having served his native land, France
almost continuously since the day the
war began. Previous to the outbreak
of the conflict he was a professor OF
philosophy at the university here for
ten years. He happened to be in Italy
when Germany began her march to
conquer the world and he Immediately
crossed to France and Joined the COL
ors.
Enlisting as a private, Father Sau-
wage, by his bravery. as well as his
learning, was rapidly advanced to Heu-
tenant and chief Interpreter with one
of the British armies.
Although he modestly insists that his
part in the war was insignificant, he
wears the distinguished conduct mccall
awarded only for unusual bravery
When He Merited Medal.
The incident for which he received
the medal occurred in Flanders on the
night of August 20, 1917.
"There were eleven Of us sitting about
hi Hat xr-f, n
airplane began to drop bombs around
u.s." said Father Salvage. Suddenly
bomb struck about forty yards away
killing five of my comrades and wound
ing three Others"
Although the bombs continued to fall,
Father Salvage remained on the scene
to administer to the wounds OF the in
jured and to give religious comfort
to the dying. The medal also was given
for distinguished conduct in going to
the aid Of wounded at the first battle OF
Ypres.
Father Savage was last stationed at
Peronne, near where the battles are
now raging; and only a few days be
fore the present big offensive began
he was called to Paris and then or
dered to join the French mission III
the United States
when left the western 'front.'. said
Father Savage, the morale OF the
French and British was remarkable.
Iney were SO comment OIL ultimate
victory that I do not believe even such
an offensive as they have gone through
since could shake their spirit. But
they are looked to the United States"
Because of his connection with the
French mission, Father Savage was
reticent as to his views of the situa-
tion on the western front and his
opinions on the question of the length
of the war.
The chaplains, he said. have played
an important part in building up the
strong morale which today prevails
among the allied soldiers. 1t is the
turns for comfort and consolation when
the rigors of war depress him, said
the priest.
"At times" he went on, II have seen
chaplains going over the top and into
battle with the French soldiers, spur
ring them on"
Religion Not Deadened.
Father Savage said he did not be-
lieve the war has deadened religion
in the hearts of the soldiers. "On the
contrary" said Father Salvage. IT be-
believe the French soldiers realize that
they are fighting for Christian princi-
pies. I never imagined that human
beings could fight and suffer as the
allied soldiers have in this war"
After leaving Yres early in 1918
Father Savage fought at La Basse,
the Somrse, Pozieres, Bapaume, back to
Ypres in 1917 and thence to Peronne.
where he was stationed when he was
called to America
Although Father Savage would say
vjft1A NJ hia 0nnectinn NTH fha Fran ~.