Daily Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1918-191?, 1918-03-09

| IN" Sco oittet hno W tnc pihcc W
dnmager"
He asked me. "what damager"
In surprise. I answered, "why, the
damage caused by the zeps"
With a wink he replied:
There was no damage; we missed
them again."
After several fruitless inquiries Of
the passersby. decided to 20 on my
own In search OF ruined buildings and
scenes Of destruction. boarded a bus
which carried me through Tottenham
Court road. Recruiting posters were
everywhere. The. one that impressed
me most was a lIfe-size picture Of
Lord Kitchener with his finger point
Ing directly at me, under the caption
Of Your King and Country Need You"
No matter which way turned. the
accusing finger followed me. ! was
an American. In multi, and had a little
American flag In the lapel Of my coat.
1 had no. king. and my country had
seen ut not TO need me, but still that
pointing finger made me feel small an
Ill at ease. / got of the h." u,xiny
to dissipate this fee',si ~
with the throne - 'iie S'ue"uiAs'
preser.ss 1 came TO a recruiting Of
ac-.. Inside, sitting at q desk was
lonely Tommy Atkins. decided to In
terview him In regard TO Joining the
British army. opened the door. He
looked up and greeted me with II sly,
myte. want to tyke ont"
Hooked at him and answered. well,
whatever that is, I'll take chance
at It."
without the aid Of an interpreter, l
found out that Tommy wanted to know
II cared to join the British army. He
asked me: did you ever hear OF the
Royal FusiliersT' Well, in London,
you know, Yanks are supposed to know
everything, so was not going to up
pear ignorant and answered. Sure"
After listening for one half-hour TO
Tommy's tale OF their exploits on the
firing line. decided to join. Tommy
took me to the recruiting headquarters,
where I met a typica, English captain.
He asked my nationality. I immedi-
ately pulled out my American passport
and showed II to him. II was signed
nv Lansing. After looking ut the
passport. he informed me that he was
sorry but could not enlist me. as IL
would be breach OF neutrality. 1
insisted that / was not neutral, be-
cause TO me Il seemed that real
American could not be neutral when
big things were In progress, but the
captain would not enlist me.
With disgust in my heart / went out
in the street. ! had gone about
block when recruiting sergeant who
had followed me out Of the office
tanned me on the shoulder with his
swagger stick and said: "S'y, / can
get you in the army. We have n 1ef-
tenant down at the other office who
can do anything. He has just come
out OF the o. T. G. (Ofilcers' Trimming
corps) and does not know what neu-
trality IS" I decided 10 take a chance.
and accepted his invitation for an In
PRODUCTION 10 the lieutenant. I entered
the office and went up to him. opened
W my paSSIoFt ulu suiu.
Before going further I wish 20 state
that l am an American. not too proud
TO fight, and want TO Join your army"
He looked AZ me I'm nonchalant
manner. and answered. "That's all
right; we take anything over here"
looked at him kind OF hard and re-
piled. $50 notice." but II went over
his head.
He got out an enlistment blank, and
placing his finger on blank line said.
"Slgn here"
answered, "Not on your tlntype."
81 beg your pardonT'
Then | explained 10 him that I would
not sign IL without first reading II. l
read II over and signed for duration OF
war. Some of the recruits were lucky
They signed for seven years onlyi
Then he asked me my birthplace. I
answered. "Ogden, Utah."
He said. "oh. yes, just outside OF
New York;"
with a smile, l replied, swell, it's up
the state n little"
Then l was taken before the doctor
and passed as physically 1T. and was
issued a unlfoTm. When ! reported
back TO the lieutenant. he suggested
that. being an American, 1 go on-re-
crsltlng service and try TO shame some
OF the slackers into joining the army"
"All you have 10 do" he said, SIS TO
60 out on the street. and when you see
young fellow In mufti who looks
physically NJ. just stop him and give
him this kind OF a talk: Aren't you
ashamed OF yourself. a Britisher. phys
lcaily fit. aud In mufti when your king
and couatry need your Don't you
know that yosr country Is at war and
that the place for every young Briton
Is on the firing linei Here am, an
American. In khaki. who came four
thousand miles 20 fight for your king
and country. and you' as yet. have not