Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-25

ana IdIl.iS, DeiieFe ME,
Sincerely.
w. f. COLLINS.
"You undoubtedly can learn from
the home papers better than l the
| number of soldiers at present consti-
tuting the American EXpeditionary
Forces, so | will not attempt to tell
you that. From the moment he lands
on French or other Allied soil, the
American soldier is made TO feel not
only that he is welcome, but that his
generous offer to come over here and
| aid in the crushing of miltaristic au-
tocracy--in the emancipation Of man
kind FROM its tyranny and oppression
places him somewhat in the light
! OF SAVIOUR of these people.
| The little children, running to meet
US as we walk along the streets, say
Good morning in perfect English
! although it may be afternoon or eve
ning). and then take our hands and
walk along with us in silence. appar-
ertly considering it high honor to
be permitted to do so. On all sides
Les Americans" is heard, and we are
treated with the utmost cordiality--
| like brothers working for q common
! cause.
| If the French have drunk of the
crucible Of sorrow, it is not evident
! from their manner or actions. Moth
| ing is ever heard of their loses--from
them. With Il smiling face, deter
mined manner and a sparkling eye
! they carry on IAN expression much
used by the English soldiers and now
adopte! by the Americans). They
never ask what the result of the war
| is going to be. OF that they are Ger
| tain, SO there is but one question on
their minds-"When will it end?' I
must confess that that is a question
which many of us would like an
swcrcd.
! There is no apparent suffering in
| the land. The people seem to have
plenty 20 eat and to wear, and the
shops are well filled with merchan-
disc of all kinds. | suppose this is due
| in part to the fact that this is a great
agricultural country. Tho land diff
| fers from ours at home in that it
seems to have a much more cultivated
or refined look, due. ! suppose. to the
centuries of toll which have been de-
voted to it. The scenery is certainly
| beautiful. AS | stand on the eminence
on which our camp is situated and
look off, ! can see great rolling fields,
all cultivated, with not a stray stone
or twig 10 mar their appearance. Here
/ through the fertile valley. and the
white, dusty road climbing over the
distant hills looks like ribbon of
silver in the sunlight. Neat white
stone iarmhouses. with red titled
roofs. appear at intervals. and the
whole spectacle is one of thrift and
beauty.
The villages are a study in them
selves. Built centuries ago. they
serve to remind one of medieval
times. With their stone houses and
winding streets. In many places the
stone is covered with moss, but the
buildings are as solid as when built
and will stand for centuries to come.
! One thing which canot fail to make a
deep impression on the American is
the beauty of the churches. All built
of stone. with beautiful statuary,
| tapestry and paintings. they are mar
wells of architecture and speak most
eloquen.ly of the genius and effort
required for their construction, cen
turtles ago Even in the smallest, the
same tyoe of architecture prevails
huge stone pillars and arches of the
Gothic type, and each has its own
organ, even though fas is sometimes
the case i'll the remote rural districts)
the church may have seating capac-
ity of 4 mere handful Of Worship
pers.
Before coming over. ! had heard
from va ,'ious sources Of the moral
dangers 10 which the American sol
diers would be subject here. My stay
Of several weeks in this town. as well
as my travels through various cities
of France, however. have convinced
me of tn utter absurdity Of such
statements. The members of the
American Expediticnary Forces seem
TO evince by their manner that they
realize the seriousness of the purpose
for which they have come. Liquor is
taboo. and the danger Of evil from
other sources is practically negligible.
AS for myself. I am acting as inter-
prefer and translator of French at
General Headquarters Of the a. +. +.
The work is confidential as we'll as
extremely interesting. and like it
very much.
| Ac@ &c : L.