The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-09-17
A FRENcHMAN's
TRIBUTE TO AMERICA AND
OUR SOLDIERS


Francis Flameng, a soldier of France,
has written wonderful and. inspiring
letter telling of the way the Ameri-
can soldiers are behaving in France.
1t breathes the high ideals of the
French nation in gratitude for our
part in their great war for humani-
tvs protection and 1t is we'll worth
preserving, not only as literary
gem, but as a reminder to us Of the
true spirit of France. The letter was
written to a personal friend in this
country:
81 cannot resist the pleasure Of
telling you Of the admiration and JOY
of the French army corps where 1t
is my good fortune to be hospitalized,
at the splendid conduct of your COM
patriots in the affair at Cantigny.
Seeing them work with so much en-
ergy, so much intelligence, good lis
teners, questioning and studying all
the time, our chiefs had soon discov-
cred the rare quality of the Ameri-
can soldiers. But what would be the
practical value of officers and staff?
That was the question. Well, the
answer came quickly. Under the con-
slant bombardment buried in the
cellars Of ruined chateaux and hous-
es, all officers-generals, colonels,
majors, and juniors did their duty
calmly, eagerly, with an intelligence
always alive. 1t was soon realized
that they were model officers, active,
hard working, capable of assimilating
with extraordinary rapidity the ex-
perience and methods of our old ar
mics. It was a tremendous satisfac-
ton, and at once absolute confidence
and mutual esteem were established,
affection followed, and admiration.
There is not French soldier( from
poilu to general-in-ch who does not
speak of the American troops with
emotion. Eyes and hearts smile at
the courage, their devotion to duty,
their disinterestedness. This is the
reason that we were not without anx-
iety for your debut-not that there
was any possible doubt of your cour-
age, of your contempt for danger,
but because one was moved to see
such good friends face death for their
first time, because lives seemed ever
more precious than ours. We French
men have become accustomed to
give our blood without stint. To die
is nothing, our beloved patrie,
France, is everything for the poilu.
Therefore, when at o'clock in
the morning we watched for Ameri.
can troops to leave the front trench.
es, in that most dramatic of move.
ments when the soldier goes to death
and glory. we had our hearts in our
mouths; but there was o shout of un-
animous admiration when they leap
ed out quickly in as perfect order as
on parade, faced the formidable bar.
rage fire, and disappeared in the dark
smoke of bus bursting on all sides.
Soon we saw them coming up to the
village and taking it so brilliantly
that 1t seemed as if an irresistible
force impelled these soldiers fighting
for right and justice. The proof was
conclusive; the American soldier was
truly great soldier, and one could
be sure that whatever counter-at.
tacks might come, he would stand
like a rock against which the enemy
waves would be broken. l cannot
tell you our Joy, for you are the hope
Of the world you are the future, you
will bring us victory, and also be-
cause you personify to our people the
highest feeling of honor and gener-
osity.
when on the dangerous roads
near the front, meet an American
poilu covered with dirt and dust,
loaded with his arms and heavy
equipment, sweating and trudging
along without a murmur, nay, whist.
ling and singing, see again the
splendid specimens of humanity !
J used to meet with in New York, in
Chicago, everywhere in America,
J and when / think that this American
poilu is one of them, that he has left
everything-family, affections, com
fort, all his interests-to come across
the ocean and take his part in this
sacred fight, l cannot restrain my
} emotion, and l want to express tc
that lone soldier the gratitude / fee