Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-06-30
AMERICAN IS GIVEN
SURPRISE OF LIFE
Y. NJ. @. A. Secretary In Rumania
Feted by Army Officers In
= Spacious Hall.

LONDON, June 29.-Thc United
States Is honored and loved by the
Rumanian above all other nations OF
the world, with the possible eXcep-
ton OF France. To the simple Ku-
manian peasant and soldier. America
Is the real land of promise, and the
American Ia pictured as a sort OF
supreme. wealthy, capable, energetic
and efficient, and above all, animated
by the loftiest and most altruisuc
ideals.
The secretary of the American
Red Cross mission, who visited the
Rumanian front in the snow~cl2d
Carpathian mountains late IN the
winter, was the first American that
thousands OF Rumnnian soldiers had
ever seen,. and they showed a hnosl
astonishing curiosity and interest IN
him. There was more than friendh-
ness In their salute, not directed so
much TO the individual ms to the
great nation overseas which he was
( supposed to typlfy and represent
\ Even the officers refused to treat
their visitors as an ordinary guest.
Expected Plain Fare.
/ Tho Red Cross secretary. at the
! time OF his visit. had been living IN
Jassy for several months on the
rather humble fare which was every
4 body's lot In n country where there
was no abundance and he expected
no special dispensatlon regarding
food while with the army. But the
Amy insisted that this visitor from
the great rev ally must be treated
with special, favor and his visit made
real fete.
1t was after nightfall when the
Red Cross representative reached
little observation post on top or
mountain. The colonel In charge OF
the post at once telephoned across n
range of hills to the general com
lmanding this particular army group.
Half nm hour later the general ap-
peared and invited the American 10
dine with him. He led the way down
a corridor, and ushered the visitor
into n large dining room, brilliantly
lighted and profusely decorated win
American flags and bunting.
At the tables 150 Rumanian ana
French officers awaited the arrival
Of the general and his guest. As the
later entered the room. an orchestra
In the corner of the room. played
isrhe Star spangied Banner" and the
pfficers rose and stood at attention
until the music had finished. Then
they joineda In n cheer which con-
riudcd with "rraiasca, American
!; tLong Live America).
Believe In Americans.
The unexpected appearance OF
room large enough TO be used as
bsnquetting hall. with real orches-
. ira and piano at an army outpost
in the peak OF the Carpathian noun
aims, was startling enough to seem
/ Ike n page from n fairy tale. More
sver. the menu provided for this
sdinner American" was the most
slnborate that the Red Cross man
,Ad eaten since he arrived In Ru-'
mania several months before. The
sfano, which was only one OF nine In
truments In the orchestra, had been
Mptured by the Rumanians from the
Hermans In the battle of Rackitash
mountain.
n The Rumanian officers at this time
D vefs expecting great things OF the
1nfted States. Most OF these expec-
htions were destined to disappoint-
4 nent later, but at that time difhcul-
Il les OF distance and transportation
a vore regarded by the Rumanians as
A carcely operative In the case OF the
u raet and ingenlas American people.
n ds'Nothing is impossible to the
N .mericans," said a Rumanian oifi-
j ar In his speech at the Carpathian
a anquet In honor Of the Red Cross
\ representative.