The Washington times., 1918-09-28
ALL MEN WORK OR
FIGHT IN FRANCE

Everyone works and there is a fine
spirit of cooperation among the peo-
pie OF France, according TO Lieut..
Paul Berthier and other officers OF
the mission of French ordnance engi-
neers in America, where they are en-
gagged in important work for the
French government
Men, women, and children are all
gladly doing their part to free the
land from the invader, and although
long hours arc the rule, there is no
complaint, for everyone realizes that
the task must be accomplished, and
that only by supreme exertions will
1t be possible.
Factories Were Hampered.
In the great rush of the German in
yasion, back in 1914. France. fearing
for her very life, summoned every
man to arms. This was a mistake.
for munitions factories were denuded
Of their skilled workmen, and many
Of them gave up their lives in stem
ming Won kluck's sweep toward
Paris.
When the realization came that the
munitions factories were hampered
and that their men could serve better
there than in the army, a problem
was presented. For these men were
already in the army, and no one was
left outside except the men past forty
eight years of age, those physically
UNIT, and a few great specialists.
Even the managers of the shops were
in the fighting line.
The work or tight" rule at once.
therefore, became a reality, for men
were sent back from the army to the
factories only so long as they could
serve better there than in the ranks.
II their work proved unsatisfactory,
they were promptly returned to their
places in the battle line.
France has now found a reservoir
of unskilled labor among the German
prisoners. They are used for heavy
work, and Chinese and Sengalese
workers have been imported for sup
plying other labor needs. Women
have shown remarkable adaptability
in the skilled trades, and 90 some
really remarkable work in the muni-
dons factories, particularly on shells.
Wounded Soldiers Employed.
The supply OF male skilled labor of
military age. however, can only be in
creased by request to the ministry of
munitions for the services of men at
the front In many factories wound
ed soldiers have been employed ad
on certain work. In
practice the rule is that men are not
returned to munition factories unless
they have passed their thirty-fifth
birthday or have served two full
years in the army.
cit is not often necessary to send
men back from the factories" says
Lieutenant Berthier. THE war is a
fact to every man and woman in
France. We shall have to stop and
think what we shall do when the war
is ended.
Everyone works for the war.
Think what 1t means that we have
made guns to enable America TO enter
the fighting line earlier than she
could have done! Think of the land.
the factories, the coal mines, and.
most of all, the men we have lost
1t is only because everyone in France
works hard that we can have guns
and ammunitions for our allies and
our own armies. Although ! under
stand that other types of 75's are
in England and Amer
lea, ! know that at Bourges all the
French T5's-guns that have become
made for the French and
American armies. Think of what a
tity for several nations!"
This tremendous output, according
to Lieutenant Berthier, is only possi-
BILE through keeping the factories go
Ing twenty-four hour day and seven