The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-21
Tin Hated, With Field Packs,
Sammies March By.
Review Accompanied by Rain
and Mud Is Heavy.
SEC. ADDRESSES OFFICERS
"YOu Are at Point of Wedge
With All America Behind YOU"
Baker Finds Spirit of Yankees
Is Slight TO the Finish"
BY FRED S. FERGUSON.

with the American Army IN + rance,
March 21.-For the first time in his
tory, a secretary of war reviewed
American troops on foreign soil.
Secretary Baker. General PERISH
ing and the staff generals stood on
the brow of great plateau and saw
the regiments of the first division,
fresh from the trenches, march past.
Tin hated laden with field
equipment, the Sammies swung by
with new confidence and vigor. Men
from those ranks were the first to
give their lives in Americas struggle
against autocracy. They withstood
German raids, gas attacks and hard
ships.
Their swinging stride and confident
bearing indicated they felt, well, re-
viewing is all right; but our game is
more than parading now
sun Bursts Thru Clouds
1t was new chapter in American
history AS the colors were passing
the reviewing stand the sun burst
sTnomentarily thru the low hanging
clouds, lighting up a picture that Will
be surpassed only by the review OF
Americans as victors.
~ Pershing. briefly addressing the
sofficers, said he was proud OF their
Showing in the trenches, which
augured well for the future The re-
and motor cars were unable to sur
mount the plateau. Baker, PerShlng
and the others trudged a muddy, up
hill mile.
EEThe troops were drawn up, waiting
The bands struck up a circus marcn-
The parade of the first American SOL
-fIfers to enter the trenches in France
was at first invisible behind dip IN
The plateau, the music giving warn
ing of their approach Then the I'M
Il H. Vt n mil - I
moving bodies of the company in front
appeared
All in Fighting Trim.
From the mules hauling the rolling
kitchens, to the officers, everything
was in fighting trim.
SfLine after line passed, salutlng the
secretary of war with precision and
Mascot dogs scampered between the
lines wagons became mired deep IN
The mud but the drivers by superhu-
man effort maintained their even
place in the line.
1t was an exhibition marking the
passing of the American army from
erureIy a peace establishment to one of
the worlds real fighting forces
Addresses Officers.
q After the review. Baker addressed
4he officers, saying:
You are the point of the wedge, at
4he base of which Americas entire
bower is being applied, thru the
army.''
The officers passed in single file.
Shaking hands with their commander
IN chief Baker asked every officer
his name if his superior was not there
10 introduce him or if the officer did
not mention his name himself.
= A drizzling rain began during the
Reception Baker stood thru it, bare
Beaded and smiling.
q Addressing the first division of reg
ulars, who had been in the front lines,
Baker said:
Il IF / have any advice to give you,
as strike hard and shoot straight
The secretary lauded New England
troops, who had been in the trenches.
he declared all the divisions. whether
national guard. regulars or national
army men, were all part of the homo
geneous national force.
Baker pointed out that the first di-
vision of regulars was the first to ar
rive in France. He said the division
was IRE gtflar in name only''-60 per
cent of it's personnel being recruits,
while the majority of its Officers were
reserves.
Prepared to Fight to the End.
t'Yo ours was the first experience in
all the initial details of adjusting
yourselves to new and strange condi-
IF sometimes the discipline seems
wearing to you now. you must know
you would have paid for its lack with
your lives.
THE better you're trained, the more
valuable you are to your country as a
fighter.
ron every hand 1 am told that you
are prepared to fight to the end !
see this spirit in your faces. You may
depend on us at home to stand by you
in spirit worthy of yours.
From the day of my arrival in
France. 1 heard praise of the New
England division. which made good
in its initial experiences in the
trenches. in a manner which guaran-
tees it will be equal to all emergen-
cies-
Descendants of Patriots
1.-THE division was trained rapidly.
Same of it's members probably de-
AEended from the Minute Men and
from Ethan Aliens mountaineers
whose fathers came to America be-
fore the Revolutionary war. They
have an opportunity to prove the quail
f}Y of Americanism in the descend
Affts Of the Pilgrims.
se..After a long period of peace, COM
Iaercial success and comfort, some
Fkeptics fear you had grown soft.
- shall send home a MESA ge from
-