Norwich bulletin., 1920-02-03
TAEE@oF WAR EXPERIENCES
 ENTERTAINS COLLEGE CLUE

Ihe NorWlch College club which held it's February meeting in Slater hall annex. Monday afternoon, gen- erously invited a number of friends to hear the interesting war experiences of workers, as told by Miss Elizz abeth Abbe, a member of the Smith College unit, serving with General Tershing's. division
 Mrs. Arthur l.. Peale, president of the club, presided over a short busi4 ne ss session for the hearing of reports and other matters of interest, after which Miss Abbe told in a pleasantly informal way some of the joys, sor- rows and tragedies, which had come under her notice in various canteens connected with the A. E. F. in France and Germany. Associafilg with the regular army men in all walks of life i and for six months the only woman tY'' worker among the 1 200 soldiers, she testified enthusiastically to the resEect and courtesy which she met everywhe re She praised the morale of the Arnericans, always gay in the midst of difficulties and courageous in danger.
 Arriving in France in July, 1913; during the Soissons drive, the unit stopped in Paris only a few days to become nilitarized and have the right
 to wear U. s. on the collars of their uniforms. Paris was full of the at-
 mosphere of war, and the sick, wound- ] ed soldiers lying in tents on the si1e- walks for lack of other accomfnoda-
 tion added ,patlfos to the scsne Headquarters were. given the car- l teen workers near L large artillery
 camp, in Ossemont in the midst: of 1 French and German graves. The flag | pole stood on the very Spot where General Joffre made his patriotic ap- ! peal to the French to stand braVely
 against the Germans. Having Become 1 an official member of the 2Sth Bat l taion, the unit took posse ssion of this
 canteen where they performed nlarye- : lous culinary feats. besides helping to cheer the boys and give them a little l taste of home in the midst Of trench 1 fife.
 i When asked if they did much cook l iI1g Miss Abbe was able to reply that i on one afternoon she made 1000 baks
 ing powder biscuits and 2,e00 dough-
 nuts. 1S0 gallons of cocoa a day was
 the ordinary amount, and it was nd
 unusual thing to serve 400 squash
 show tl,et the Salvation Army 1assies
 were not the only gobd cooks among
 the army women workers.
 Great difficulty was experienced ir l getting eggs, though often sff1es French
 people would exchange them for cf1oc-
 olate, rather than money Lettuce
 sandwiches were much liked by the
 men. as more dainty addition to the regular army fare: oat meal frftters too. were always hailed with delight 1 and quickly devoured.
 1 The canteen was made as hofnelike 1 as possible, with cretonne curtains and clean white washed walls. Certain l soldiers were detailed to assist with
 the heavier work, and the whole place
 had to be kept .spic and span foi medical inspection at any time The men loved this little honey canteen
 and appreciated everything that was
 done for them.
 f After the arnistice, Miss Abbe was Il detailed to Haun, little town 1T
 Germany, where in an old tent fur ' ntshed with a few baths, piano anI
 two Victrolas she again Kept oper
 house for the soldiers Most of whom
 were fretting at the delay of goins
 home. Amusefnents had to be D TO. II Yided for these soldiers, who aftel ] drilling was over. had nothing to keef them interested. Games. and regulal
 programs were arranged, into wf,icf
 these home sick fellows Joined gladly
 The American Library Association
 helped a great deal by sending boke,
 of good books. and the canteen alway: provided writing material for hor1, letter. While in Germany Miss Abb, had charge of eight conteens Wflici , she used to visit regularly, brfngin; l supplies in her four mule team, find, ing an enthusiastic welcome as shi appeared with good things to eat. During the course of her talk Mis- , Abbe related many incidents to dem onstrate how much +Sc soldiers ap
 preciated and needed just that person 1 al touch and sympathy which tffe uni | tried to give. She. paid g1owin, : tribute to the regular army men an, expressed the joy in service felt D. every canteen worker who tried to 1iv up to what was expected of her baicl :. home.
 Il Miss Abbe, who was in uniform wore several insignia, among then ,. the twelve month service stripe. tn ! 'eY'' badge, and a most unique deoora
 tion, the Fourragere, given by tn v French government. Up to a shor time ago. only two other division had been thus decorated, and as
 duly accredited member of the. frs 2 division, of the 2sE.h infantry, she i y especially proud of this honor. : A rising vote of thanks was give Miss Abbe for her interesting tan < after which tea was served. Mis 7 Jane Bill and Mrs. William F. Os D poured, and cakes were pasted b others of the club members.