Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-02-28
SAYS FRANCE
IS UNCOMFORTABLE
Former Mexico Otirea Writes from
Europe 81 the Spirit q Men
Fighting Germany
CAN WITHSTAND OFFENSIVE
fuaia and Qemcnccau, Beloved Of
the People. Have Worked Won
dcrs and Roio Scandal
Pu6n@ Politics

France IS stronger than ever
as a result Of the exposure Of the
accession Of Comenocau as pre-
mser and the dcposing of Nivelle
as Commandcr-in-chief Of the
armies, according 20 a survey
made By Charlie n. Grasty. dis
tinguished American newspaper
editor and war correspondent,
formerly Of Mexico, No, who
cahled from Paris his views 20 the
New York Times before Bolo
Pasha was sentenced 70 the gui.o-
tine. The article. az copyrighted
and published hy the New York
Times, is Illuminating. Il fol-
lows:
With a German offensive threaten
ing and the Bolo, Caillaux and Malvy
prosecutions on the carpet, America
IS interested in knowing in what shape
France is to meet new tests Of her
fortitude and endurance.
have touched the French morale
at three different points within the
recent past. Attendance at the Bolo
trial has given me an opportunity Of
seeing one side; the Investigation Of
the Painleve government in its rela-
ton to Nivelle's offense, has exposed
a crOss-seetion Of the civil admins
t~ration, and, lastly, | have been
brought into contact with large num-
bers of poilus.
Fairly close observation Of condi-
tons generally since General PERISH
ing's arrival last June enables me to
view the situation comparatively. The
Improvement in eight months has been
extraordinary. l can go further and
say without exaggeration that in the
whole allied wall Of resistance to
German aggression France is the
hardest and most solid part.
Last May there was Generalization
The wonder was not that demoraliza-
ton existed, but that there was not
more it. After three years Of
bearing Of the brunt of the German
attack and the appalling sacrifices it
entaiied, the unfortunate military ope-
rations of last April made many feel
as If all had been endured by France
in ain. Americas coming sustained
France until she could recover herself.
by her own recuperative power she
has now become stronger than at any
time since the war began. With Glenn
eneeau at the head of the civil govern
ment and Petain in military command,
France is rock-ribbed against all that
Germany may attempt.
Sound Despite Political Scandals
There have been certain evils in
French politics-all the world knows
them. They are shocking, but they
have not touched the body polite.
They are from the top downward, not
rom the bottom upward. The French
people are morally and intellectually
sound and solid. Bolo, Caillaux and
NAVY may be tried and shot or inn
prisoned or acquitted. France will re,
nam unconquerable. 1t is to be hoped
tnat the exposure Of these condition,
II war times will permanently purify
French politics; but, however that ma,
De- America may rest in the assur.
anee that no political event will cause
the slightest weakening of the French
war will.
The only doubts that existed at an,
time we're about the civilaian power Of
resistance, and these may now be dis.
missed Internationally.
The French army since the begin.
nlng Of the war has been the admir-.
alton of the world. 1t is better thar
ever today. No one here has the re.
hottest fear about the French front.
Let the Germans come as strong n,
they Will, the French will take care Of
them' The holding securely so lonf
a line after losses is the ultimate ex.
preston Of what human capacity an,
courage are capable of. The conf
denee of the army i its leadership wa,
never before so absolute. Clemen
ceau and Petian are names loved h,
every soldier.
RETAINS Inspiring Achievement.
retains complete restoration of th,
military morale after the offensive q
last April constitutes one of the mos
inspiring chapters Of the war. n,
Is not only a strategist, a tactician an,
an all round military leader, but h,
IS the shepherd of the flock. Will,
many generals think it best to worl
from headquarters forty miles bo
hlnd the lines, Petain is as busy "a
travelling salesman making III,
rounds of his armies from one end n
the line to the other. Under hi,
sieepless supervision the French arm,
mas become a most intelligent and ex
pert machine. The German army ba,
discipline, but the French army nos
sesses both discipline ad individua
intelligence and initiative.
realize that an UNPARALLELED tact
IKE thai at Verdun, but multipl;ed
perhaps, by three or four in miles q
front and weight behind inc,
come any day; but the well informe'
confidently predict that whatever an,
whenever it is launched against Pc
tain it will 'bite granite"
In all this I expressly disclajm n,
ieast reflection, eve by inference. I'M.
on the gallant and splendid English
VINO will also be equal to every test
what is set forth above is onlv tbe
general opinion about the Leadership
winch for ten months has been a,
STEADY as a rock, and which, while of.
zen commented on as evincing 3
poiiey OF limited offensive" is at this
hour of menace from fresh German
hordes a sure shield Of the allied for.
tunes What Andre Tardieu says Of
americas energy and power in pre-.
pafation can be said more unmali.
tledly Of Frances magnificent per.
Torrance in the field.
"Ahi PlCkFoRD's TAX $500, OOO
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10. Accord.
ing 70 Collector Of Internal Revenue
u. j. Carter Mary 49,