Bisbee daily review., 1918-10-27
ENGINEERS VIE
 WITH FIGHTERS
 IN THE SERVICE
Aaron English Tells a Few Things About the Wonders They Have Accomplished in Democracy's Cause


 things in France on the fighting line" :" declared Aaron English, first class blacksmith on the transport America, to the newspaper man, but our engi- neers and builders and railroad men have performed miracles over there" !" Aaron ought to know, for he has made nine round trips in the good ship America, one of the interned German liners seized by this nation when we declared war, in the past year. Aaron joined the navy at the beginning of the war, and was assigned to trans port service. He has been in France and England many times and was on board the America in the New Jersey port the other day when she sank at the dock. His folks here in Bisbee in- quired anxiously at the Review office several times regarding the loss of life in this accident. Aaron got a fur tough while the ship was being placed back in commission and he elected to spend it back home. He is an old C. & A. boy and his brother, Roy, and his little sister, Tina, and his big sis ter. Mrs. W. J. Grove, live here in the Warren district The newspaper
 
 ing talk with this, bright and eager young sailor lad the other day.
 "The first trip made to the great American port in France" said Aaron, T found it to be a little port and we had an awful time unloading our big cargo into the little French lighters and getting it to the little quay It did not seem possible that this dinky harbor could be made into anything half big enough to care for the tidal wave of men and material we were to pour into France. But our engineers came, and our workmen, and they transformed this landing into a great harbor and their lighter system and quays and docks and piers and ware houses and streets stretch in endless rows far out on every side and away back into the country as one views it from the deck of the transport. It seems like a miracle. We can un- load and get away now in AS hours. thousands of tons of freight and thousands of soldiers and workmen. And our own railroad men carry the stuff and the boys away into France on our own trains hauled by our own
 
 to see this great work as it does to hear of the fighting the Tanks are doing at the front. One is as necessary as the other, yod know.
 And another thing that impresses me deeply every trip over there is the change in the feeling and condition of the poor French folks living at this port. First trip they rowed out to the ship in boats and seemed to be half starved and they had set look of des- perate gameness in their eyes, and there was little hope in that look. They are gay and glad now and in comfortable circumstances. Every one has work at good wages and business is good for the soldiers and sailors spend thousands of dollars in this port every week. And as these folks see the endless stream of men and guns and supplies come up out of the ocean wave and foam and disappear into their La Belle France they take on new hope and courage and feel sure of the inevitable end.
 And they sure treat us fine over there. The French and English both cannot seem to do enough for our 
 sure appreciate what we are doing for them. And our boys are strong for them and eager to get in and clean up on the Hun.
 ''It was our ship that landed part of the old Rainbow division at this French port about a year ago. and tell you that is sure a crack division You read now about what it has done in France. but We sailors who took 'em across knew what they would do. Trained to the minute, fit and fine. they left that ship like hounds on the leash Any time they don't put the finishing touch to our boys in the English and French training camp. They polish 'em off like diamonds. !. Intensive training is right. They get it. Those French boys have war and training down to the fine art And our boys take to it like a duck to dough. They are getting ready for front line work in half the time it was | expected they would take.
 ''Yes. our old ship sunk mighty sud l den. if you want to know. My bunk mate was lost He was called but thought it was a false alarm. as the ship was safe at the pier Of course no one knows whether a German agent or two had anything to do with it or not It might well have been the case. ! Lots of workmen were tinkering with the ship while she was getting ready for sea. There was an explosion or two just before she sank. They will { have her ready soon to sail again. My furlOugh expires next week and I'll have to leave Monday to get back in time if I don't get an extension" He is a trim. slender, active. alert sailor lad. is Aaron, and has lost none of the eagerness and pep that marks the American boy from the inland towns that goes down to the sea in ships He is enjoying every hour of his stay with his friends and kin in the Warren district
 BILLS ARE PASSED