The Mena weekly star., 1918-04-25

down the words that the subs had
 been sighted The word spread like wildfre and by the time it had reached
 the innermost parts of the ship it was pretty good story
 There were many versions. Each
 time the stone turned it gathered a little more moss. Tho most thrilling
 version was that two subs had been
 sighted a few miles from shore A
 French destroyer had given chase and
 had sunk both submersibles after fir
 ing several shcts oil on the surface
 of the ocean was proof
 It was fortunate for Samuel that
 we saw the submarines, because when
 we landed we learned that every ves-
 sel which crossed the the Atlantic
 since April 6, 1917, has seen from one
 to one hundred. You can always find another passenger who will verify all
 most any set of facts thrust upon
 you. have made rough count of the number of U boats that have been sunk in this manner. It is considera- bly, greater than the total undersea
 strength claimed by the Germans. But the real exciting stories come from the trenches. Sammy never
 misses an opportunity to corner the poilus who can talk English to glean from them the latest tales of blood and thunder. Captain Kidd wasn't in it with the trench-lore that passes by word of mouth back to the barracks where Sammy is training.
 Rumors of air raids seem to go best, You can get an audience any time among the Sammies by announcing that a warning has been sent out against the Gothas. Reports of the capture of Nancy or verdun or Paris travel rapidly, too, gathering glamor as they go. But then Sam has to have something to talk about. And since he can only dream of home and
 shutter in French it is fortunate that gossip is available.
 Fords are not the only American cars that can be seen in France. A dozen other makes of cars are being used by the American army in it's war
 work. All along the railroads across France where the expeditionary force is encamped, United States trucks are hauling supplies to the troops in train ing. The orders from the transpor- tation officers are to keep the trucks busy These orders are being carried ont, with the result that American food, American clothing equipment, American ordnance, Red Cross sup plies, medical supplies and hundred other necessaries for a great army in the field are being transported to it's bases.
 All the details of the blow which American troops will someday strike on the western front are being worked out systematically and thoroly. Sam my learns on his arrival in France that he is going to have strong backing when he goes in to do his bit for democracy. He sees great shops be- ing constructed where his rifles and cannon will be repaired. He sees huge storehouses being constructed to house his rations. The maxim that an army fights on it's stomach has not been forgotten, and every ship from America brings some kind of cargo that will be used in the funny little French rolling kitchens that are be- ing used by the American army.
 Sammy learns that dozens of hos pitfalls have been adequately fitted up to provide place for him to recuper- ate from his wounds. Men high in their profession have given up lu- crative clinteles at home in order to devote their time to the alleviation of battlefield suffering. And Sammy learns further, if by chance he is sent to the hospital to get over some of the bad colds which seem to be part and parcel of the French climate, that there are real live American nurses to take care of him. This is very important consideration to Sammy. It is as good as medicine to Sammy to have cherry, capable nurse of his own blood to tuck in the sheets at night. It is a home touch that is worth months of pay to a really sick man. I have already had the experi- ence myself. l was in one of the base hospitals for a week for minor oper- ation, and admit was 10th to leave when consulted only my phy- sical well-heing. There was one young lieutenant who had been there month and half when I left. He looked like a well man to me, so went to my nurse.
 ~0h, you mean Lieutenant ," said, laughing. "Why he has had an operation for everything from appen- dicitis to bunions. guess the doctors will have to drive him home one of these days"
 Back in the U. S. A. you can find plenty of people who knock" the "Y," perhaps rightfully, for the kind of Christianity that is offered thru this agency. But all the doubting Thom- ases have come over to the other side now. The familiar red triangle is al- ways a welcome sight in any French and American military town, It is a sort of beason light, guiding the new conner to comfortable place where he can get information, smokes, writ ing paper and everything for the im- mediate needs. The secretaries are immensely human as well as being re- quired by a well-supervised system of mana Qpnent fn ha courteous and