The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-07
FIST t. STRIVE
LIST 10 ASK
SALVATION APMY WAS THE
FIRST AMERICAN ARMY TO
LAND IN FRANCE.

On its ruthless march through peace
loving Belgium, British troops were
In the field and with them went the
advance guard of the Salvation Ar
nay. small force of only fourteen
men and women. They landed in
France on August Ia, 1918, just as
the big Krupp guns began to pound
the fortress of Liege.
One afternoon a column Of Tom
mics, tired and parched from the
hot summer sun were ordered to
march along a French road near the
coast. Some of the boys were
limping. Here and there was seen
a bandaged head or arm in sphnts.
The small village through which
they were trampiag seemed desert
ed until suddenly girl. in quiet I'M
form of blue, rushed into the road.
Sergeant, Sergeant" she called,
I'VE have hot tea and biscuits and
some fresh bandases. Bring In your
men"
"Bly'me, boys shouted the SER
geant. startled out of his WEAKNESS,
Here's the Salvation Army on the
Job and some 'ot tea. Fall out"
In this unconventional manner
the British branch started its work,
with trained women in the field,
took Its position in the front line
trenches and by common consent,
based on the demands of the men
and later ratified by official action.
it has been there ever since
The American branch moved as
quickly as did THAI of Great Britain
for during the week that President
Wilson officially declared our ma
ton was in state of war with Ger
many, Commander Evangeline
Booth, as leader Of The Salvation
Army IN the United States, prefer
ed to the government the total force
and equipment of her organization.
The President accepted and gave
formal recognition to her plan.
Before the first expeditionary
force had landed lover there Com
mander Evangeiine Booth had dis
patched Lieut.. Col. w. s. Barker
Of New York, to France 20 look over
the ground and arrange for the
work.
Within few days he reported and
q number Of officers, all experts,
we're sent across to assist him. A
number of women we're appDlnted.
It was an innovation and on account
OF the dangers and privaLions facing
them. an effort was made to dis
euade Commander Booth from send
ing them but her .isdom in refusing
to change her pEns has been album
dainty proved b. the effectiveness
OF their work
First to Serva-Last to Ask
The Salvation Army is not larga
compared TO some Of
the other relief associations but n
is composed Of trained men and
women. It is a mobile body sol
formed that it can turn its fnil
strength into any movement within
d low uOuIS. IL Is iii dI my @sIWdyS|
under orders, used to discipline,
and privations, actuated by
the highest principles and ready to-
go to the ends of the earth at mo-
ments notice.
This made it exceptionally valu-
able to the military forces of the
Allied Nations ans enabled it 10 be
The First to Serve
There was no time to wait for f.
nances to. be raised from a public
appeal so funds were borrowed in
America, London and Paris ard the
work of building huts, opening can
teens, equipping and sending work
ers and securing auto trucks and
eanteen supplies went forward inrme-
diately.
The financial problem was an in
cubus. The constantly growing ex-
penditures soon forced it to make
a public aDpeal for aid. but it was
:ne asst to do So