The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-02-06
AMERICAN GIRLS SUPERIOR.
Soldiers i'm France Give Their Hon.
est Impression.

The relative fascination of Amerl-
can and French girls, which seems
to have caused some uneasiness in
certain quarters, was recently the
subject of a cable dispatch from Far
ner Murphy to the Chicago Tribune.
The question had been asked wheth-
or the less Independent but more
strictly feminine French type might
not have such an influence on our
men in France IS to compel the
American girls to look to their laur-
els when the heroes return. This is
what Mr.. Murphy cabled from
France:
"The French girls training is to
look up to and coddle the men in the
family. She is more-of a listener
than a talker; she is pleased with
small attentions, and never fails to
show appreciation of them. 1t was
inquired if the contact of our men
with these customs might not make
them less willing to fetch and carry
and obey the beck and call of our
~self-reliant American type of girl.
There is only one way to. settle
the question and that is to ask the
men themselves. The army edition
of The Chicago Tribune last week
stated the case to it's readers and in
vited them to give opinions.
MANY of the letters were very
thoughtful and showed that the men
have not offered offhand, but have
seriously considered before answer
ing. Several such are from privates.
One of the surprises was the number
who favored the French girl. Among
the first batch the French probably
had the majority out then the Amer
lean girls defenders came to the
front"
Be it understood that this is a dis
cussion of types and not individuals,
and there need to be no heartburn
ings. y
A private in the Medical Corps,
who says he read the questions in
the company of his fancee dares to
write: ~
1--WE had some opportunity to OBJ
serve the French girls and wish to
assure you and the folk at home
that they have my entire approval"
One of the most complete answers
is from a sergeant who emphatically
declared he considered the French
girl more thoughtful, Agreeable, and
less exacting than the American, and
just to show that he is not prejudiced
he wound up by saying he was 60
ing back to the states to marry the
dearest girl in the world unless she
has changed her mind.
Giving the reason he favors the
French girl, he says:
1.-The French. girl expects nothing
and is not disappointed if she re-
ceives no more than that. The Amer
lean expects everything and always
is certain in n way or another, to
make known her feelings if she does
not receive it. If you want a sur
prise ask a French girl % allow you
to carry her umbrella, or parcel, and,
if she not used to Americans, she |
will be just as surprised as you. 1t
cannot be denied that the French girl
has won her way into the hearts of
the Americans"
Another soldier who is going home
to an American girl begs that his
name be not used when he says:
"The charm of the French home
life is a revelation. The French
girls stand the beauty test every
time. Their keen humor doesn't take
the form of the verbal sparring and
the cheap banter of the American
debutante. They can talk we'll and in
telligently, and, what is more, they
a listen.
"Woe~to the American girls who
fail to listen long and patiently when
the A. E. F. gets home. The French
girls are ideal companions, friendly,
natural, unaffected and s~elf-possess-
ed in a quiet way, neve seeking the
center of the stage, and never con-
spicuous."
A sergeant who has lived in
France for twelve years lauds the
American girls.
There is nothing .doglike about
the devotion of the American girl"
he says, "but she is true blue and a
real comrade through life, depending
upon her worth, not her sex, to hold
her beloved beside her and keep the
respect of all men,"
To- xoSn ~-