Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-12-07
VIEWPOINTS Of our
ARMY OFFICERS IN
FRANCE

A peaceful town, far from the
front. A beautiful June day full OF
perfume Of roses; respondent sum-
NOR freely bursting into bloom, in
different to human plants, frcts and
agitations.
Scene OF the town: A boy OF ten
years, head like an urchin OF the
year one, runs thru the streets cry
ing, "The Americans are coming to
B the inhabitants are in
vited, to greet them"
'"rhe Americans"-for months
they had been discussed, they had
been expected and there was great
curiosity. Groups Of people go
down to the Public Square Of the
town where they see upon tho white
street the first ranks OF the Allied
soldiers. But, what surprise, they
are black soldiers. Black soldiers?
There is great establishment, little
fear. The rural population, not we'll
informed knows we'll the Negro OF
Africa, but that from American soil,
tho country Of the classical type,
characterized by tho cold, smooth
white face, that from America could
como this dark troupe, none could
believe his own eyes.
They dispute among themselves,
they are little irritated. Some OF
the women become afraid. Ono or
them confldes to mo that she feels
the symptoms of an attack Of indi-
gestion. Smiling, reasonable lady
with the all too emotional stomach.
"Quiet yourself. They do not eat
human flesh. Two or three days
from now you will be perfectly used,
to them" ,- =
said two or three days, but from
that very evening the Ice Is broken.
Native and foreigners smile ut eacn
other, and try to understand cach
other. The next day wc SEQ the lit
tic children In the arms OF the hugo
Negroes, confidently, pressing the.r
rose cheeks to the checks OF ebony,
with their mothers looking OH IN
appreciation.
A deep sympathy Is treated Tor
these men, which yesterday was not
even surmiscd. Very quickly 1t Is
seen that they have nothing or the
savage in them, but that on the otncr
hand one could not find soldier
more faultlcss in his bearing, and IN
his manners moro arabic or more
delicate than these children OF inc
sun, whose ancestors dreamed under
the wonderful nights along the muir
muring streams.
We admire their forms, handsome,
vigorous and athletic, their intelli
gent and loyal faces with their large
rleaming ewes, at times dreamy ana
with q bit Of sadness in them. Ear
removed is the time when their ln-
ausniciOnS influence was felt upon
the digestive organs OF the lady. NOW
one honors himself to have them at
his table. He spends hours III long
talks with them, with great supply
Of dictionaries and manuals or con-
versation.
The white mothers weep to see
the photographs Of the black mothers
and display the portraits Of their
soldier sons. The nancee Of our
poilus become interested in the
fiancee across tho sea, in their dress,
in their headdress and in everything
which makes woman resemble woman
in every cline. Late at night tho
workers Of the fields forget their
fatigue as they hear arise through
the PEACEFUL night, tho melancholy
voices which call up to the memory
Of the exile his distant country. In
the lanes along the ilowery hedges
more than one blond head IS seen
moving thoughtfully besides curly
head, while the setting sun makes
blue the ncighboring hills and gently
the song OF night is awakened.
And then, these soldiers, who had
become friends, depart. One even
ing sad adieus arc exchanged.
Adieu? How we wish they may be
only eau Revoirs. Promise to cor
respond, to return when furloughs
arc granted. here and there tears fall
and, when the next day, the heavy
trucks roll off in the chilly morning,
carrying away to tho front our cN-
otto guest, veritable sadness seiZes
us.
Soldier Friends, our hearts, our
wishes go with you. That destiny
may be mcrcifnl to you, that the
bullets OF the enemy might spare
you. And if any Of you should never
see your native homo again, may
the soil Of France give you sweet
repose.
Soldiers, who arrived among us
one clear June day, redolent with
the scent Of roses, you will always
live in our hearts.
COlOrcd Officer in France Prefers tho
Rosy Brown Girl of Virginia.
American Expeditionary Forces,
A. P. O. 766,
November 1918.
Tho Editor Tribune, Army Edition,
Paris, France.