Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-07-19
AMERICAN SoLpIERSHIP
French People Convinced that the
World Has Never Seen the Like.

French people CONVINCED thdt "e
World Has Never Seen the Like.
Communiques give us the story OF
our troops at Cantigny. They fought
gallantly" Is the soldier phrase. and II
covers deeds for which awards have
already been given. But soldiers re-
port can hardly give the impression
that these precursors Of the American
armies to follow make upon the sea-
soned warning countries Of Europe.
This reaches US in a letter from the
famous French painter. Francois
Flameng, to an American friend, who
allows. through the columns OF the
New York Tribune. the public in gen.
eral to share in the pleasure Of hearing
our troops we'll spoken OF. The letter
comes from the French front. where
Mr.. Fiameng is also serving. for all
classes in France help to bear her
burdens. 81 cannot resist the pleas
ure of telling you," he writes, "of the
admiration and JOY Of the French
army corps where 1t Is my good for
tune to be hospitalized, at the splen-
did conduct Of your compatriots In the
affair at Cantigny." And going on:
Seeing them work with so much
energy, so much intelligence. good
listeners. questioning and studying all
the time, our chiefs had soon discover
ed the rare quality Of the American
soldiers. But what would be the prac-
tical value Of the officers and staff?
That was the question. Well, the ans
wcr came quickly. Under the con-
stant bombardment, buried In the cell
lars of ruined chateaux and houses.
all ofticers-generals. colonels, majors
and juniors-did their duty calmly.
eagerly, with an intelligence always
alive. II was soon realized that they
were model officers. active. hard work
ing, capable of assimilating with ex-
traordinary rapidity the experience
and methods OF our old armies. II was
tremendous satisfaction. and at once
absolute confidence and mutual esteem
were established, affection followed.
and then admiration. There Is not n
French soldier, from poilu to general
n-chief, who does not speak OF the
American troops with emotion. Eyes
and hearts smile at their courage.
their devotion to duty. their disinter-
estedness. This Is the reason that we
were not without anxiety for your
debut-not that there was any pos
sible doubt OF your courage. OF your
contempt of danger, but because one
was moved to see such good friends
face death for the first time, because
their lives seemed even more precious
than ours. We Frenchmen have be-
come accustomed to give our blood
without stint. To die Is nothing. our
beloved patrie, France, is everything
for the poilu.
Therefore, when at Z o'clock in the
morning we watched for American
traeps -tu>lessss-tfs font tFascfss. In
that most dramatic Of moments when
the soldier goes to death and glory,
we had our hearts In our mouths.
But there was a shout OF unanimous
admiration when they lcaped out
quickly In as perfect order as on pa
rade, faced the formidable barrage
fire, and disappeared In the dark
smoke OF obus bursting on all sides
Soon we saw them coming up to the
village and taking 1t so brilliantly
that II seemed as II an Irresistible
force impelled these soldiers fighting
for right and Justice. The proof
was conclusive; the American soldier
was truly a great soldier and one
could be sure that whatever counter
attacks might come, he would stand
like a rock against which the enemy
waves would be broken. cannot tell
you our JOY, for you are the hope OF
the world, you are the future, you
will bring us victory, and also because
you personify to our people the high
est feeling OF honor and generosity.
when on the dangerous roads
near the front. met an American
poilu covered with dirt and dust,
loaded with his arms and heavy equip
ment, sweating and trudging along
without a murmur nay, whistling and
singing, see again the splendid
specimens Of humanity Il used to meet
with In New York, In Chicago, every
where in America, and when ! think
that this American poilu is one of
them, that he has left everything
family, affections. comfort. all his in
terests-to come across the ocean and
take his part In this sacred fight. !
cannot restrain my emotion. and
want to express to that lone soldier
the gratitude feel and which no hu-
man words can express.
Dear friend, 1t Is too wonderful.
The coming of America into this war
will ever remain as the most beautiful
and noblest action in the history OF
the world. You were not obliged to
come. Why do you do It? Why this
gigantic human effort Of yours. why
so many sacrifices freely consented?
Simply and solely to save the future
civilization and the liberty OF man."
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