South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-10
BANGS AMUSES
WONAN'S CLUB
Noted Author CommingIeS
PathOS and Humor at En-
tertaining Lecture.

I'm an address that was genuinely
humorous yet so filled with pathos
that the tears came unbidden, John
Kendrick Bangs, noted American
humorist paid a stirring tribute 20
the American boys in France and TO
their gallant allies. in his talk on
Light and Shade in the Land OF
Nalor." at the third annual guest
party of the South Bend Woman's
club. held Tuesday night in the Ro-
tary room Of the Oliver hotel.
With a humor that is conta gious
and q manner that is at once disarm-
ing Mr. Bangs spoke for an hour
and "a half To an audience of 200
people of the funny things and of
the inspiring things which he OBJ
served throughout a Is weeks stay
in France during the darkest hours
of the war.
Dispcls Error.
Mr.. Bangs disspelled the erroneous
general opinion that the American
boy in France was a debauche that
the morale of the civilian population
OF France was demoralized. that the
trocities Of Germany should be for
gotten. that the Y. NJ. c. A was
other than it should have been. and
other propaganda Of similar calibre.
During 8 weeks of association with
some 250,000 American soldiers.
with constant watching for signs of
the much talked of dissipation, Mr..
Bangs saw but one "tipsy" Yank
'and he was not too tipsy" declared
Mr. Bangs. and followed his declara-
tiou with a pathetic description OF
the hardshipS Of mud and homesick-
ness undergone by the lad at the
front and with a plea to consider
the regrettable act rather as an in
toxication OF the spirit than &c the
body. due To relaxation from the
strenuous work of the front line
ditch"
Laughing Nank.
Mr Bangs told countless humorous
and pathetic stories of the laugh
ing American soldier" who broke the
morale of the German army. show
ing that it is the quality of soul OF
the individual and the character Of
the civilization by which he is sur
rounded. and not war. which makes
brutes of men. as some would have
us think He summed up the spirit
of the American boy In France with
the words OF a potential 1. W. W.
from New Orleans who. caught by
the draft had been softened. not
hardened by the experiences of war
and who said upon refusing a tip
for countless services rendered Mr.
Bangs. we didn't come TO make
money We came TO do things for
other people
Mr.. Bangs closed with "a warning
against propaganda which would
tend TO oisassociate Us with our al
lies and with an upbraiding Of those
senators and others Who in their
discussions of the peace treaty and
the League of Nations have offered
constant affronts TO Great Britain.
Japan and France
Christmas Decorations
Preceding the talk by Mr. Bangs.
F dinner was served at small round Ia
ulcs centered with empire baskets
OF white narcissi and red carna-
tions the places being marked by
cards suggestive Of the Christmas
season Immediately following the
/ dinner several vocal numbers were
rendered by DR. %. r. SCandling
The chairmen OF the committees
. in charge Of the affair were Mrs ".
+ r Miller. decorations. Mrs Harry
E e. Schadt tickets; Mrs T. l. Sims
seating and Mrs. William Rcnfranz
hospitality
Announcement was made Of the
annual children's Christmas party
/ CcoNTINUED on PAGE FOUR)