Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-07
yesterday passed without revival OF
the controversy. but today addresses In
both bodies are scheduled.
French Morale A
High As When Troops
Went Into Frat Fight

With the French Army in France.
Jan. I4.-lBy mail. l-Altho great mill
tary operations have come TO a. stand
still. for the moment, there is no cessa-
tim OF vigilance on any part OF the
French front. Whether in Alsace-
Lorraine. around Verdun, in the Argon-
ne or Champagne or on the Laon pla-
team the French soldier stands on
guard. just as keen as four winters
ago. In mud. shell holes in snow and
almost arctic frosts. he watches, or
when it is thought necessary. to inves-
tigate what the enemy opposite is do
ing. lie goes over the top and advan .es
toward the German lines with the same
arGcr as at the beginning Of French
warfare: only to his dash ne has add
ed the experience gained in number
less encounters.
The correspondent Of the Assoc lated
Press. who has been in the closest
touch with the French troops on dozens
o. battle fields thru months and years
Of the hardest fighting, has been able
70 study the psychology OF the French
soldier. both while he is engaged in
mortal combat and while he Is at his
so-called repose. Nothing strikesthe OBJ
server more than the quiet fatalism with
which these troops from the farms and
factories and offices OF all the pro-
vinces and cities Of France go forward
TO the attack Whether il be for
trench raid. a patrol. reconnaissance
or a general attack in which large
numbers are engaged the French
trooper does not hesitate when ordered
to advance. He knows that he may
not come back or that he may suffer
humiliation. but when the word Is
given he moves off with calmness and
resolution as If the work in hand were
merely an everyday JOB. to be gotten
quickly of his hands.
No Trace Of Excitement
4 glance at the troops when they as
seuble in the front line in preparation
for an operation shows an absence OF
excitement In most cases the men par
ti>ipatirg in big attack have been
brought from the environments in the
rear only a few hours before they are
ordered TO go over. Arrived in the front
line they crouch and sit and lie down
as we'll as they can IN the MUDDY ana
often partly demolished trenches ano
advanced saps. waiting for their OFF,
GERS 10 give the word that means death
or wounds FOR probably many Of their
number. Meanwhile, in most cases, the
Germans. made aware o. the approach
!r- attack hy the increase OF the
french artillery fire. are throwing into
the French front lines hundreds and
thousands Of high explosive shells and
trench mortar bombs
In spite of the heavy firing and Ifs
accompanying casualties among the
French troops, the men awaiting the
final order remain impressive. Most OF
them have been over the top before and
know the inevitable cost OF an ad-
vance across No Mans Land and an
assault on the enemys lines. Their
Goodness in face Of these perils IS mar
Vicious. Some OF them smoke others
take a sip Of their water bottles, still
others look at the sights and b-eeches
Of their rifles, or overhaul their hand
greaadea. All the time their noncoms
and officers. just as coo,neaded as the
men, walk about among them passing
a cheering word here and giving a
time consulting their watches so as
no. 70 miss the time fixed for the at
tack. for success depends on their ao.
solute punctuality.
Rationed for Several Days.
AZ length, he minute arrives and
then all along the zig Tagging line
heavily clothed figures are seen climb
ing out OF the deep trench. Each
French soldier when ne advances
wears his thick oyercoat and carries
sufficient rations 10 las him several
days, especially when the objective is
the capture of ar enemy position for
the enemy generally opens barrage
fire which prevents supplies from go
ing forward with enormous loss OF life.
Besides this, tine French soldier carries
his rife and bayonet, several pouches
of cartridges, number OF hand gre
nades and his entrenchi1g tools.
The pace at which the successive
waves of infantry advances is neces-
sarily slow, but even so, the officers
and on-coms have sometimes to check
the impetuosity Of the men. who other
wise might walk right into the curtain
Of fire from their own artillery which
sweeps before tneln STeCIaI-! di!o
forces the enemy 70 seek shelter.
Naturally, such an advance is not
made without losses. for the enemy ar
tillery generally put up a counterloar-
rage. which searches out the ground
over which the French are advancing.
When the assaulting troops reach
their detectives, they Immediately De
gin to consolidate their positions by
the use of pick and spade and sand
bags.
Trying Part Of Battle.
The holding of a captured position Is
one of the most trying tasks for the
troops, for almost inevitably a counter
attack, or perhaps, several viii! De
launched by the Germans and it Is then
that the discipline and tenacity Of the
men are put to the severest test. The
enemy knows the exact position and
outline Of the works he has lost and is
thus able to turn his guns on the &C.
cupants with the greatest accuracy.
To hold on under these conditions