Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-18
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
HIGHEST TYPE OF
REAL MANHOOD
So Described by F. S. Edmunds
in Addressing Churchmen OF
Wilmington.
CITY CLUBS GUESTS
OF EMMANUEL MEN


the United States troops In Europe dur
ing the great war, accomplished more for
this country, in the eyes of the world
than any one agency, and did more to
win the war than any other one thing ac-
aording TO Franklin 5. Edmunds of Phil
adclphia. This was the crux of graphic
description of his observations, as out
lined in an address in the parish house of
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Seventeenth
street and Riverview avenue, last night.
The occasion was union meeting of the
Episcopal mems clubs and st. James
Brotherhood of Grace NJ. T.. Church,
with the Emmanuel Club as the host.
Mr.. Edmunds, as head of the legal
department of the y. NJ. G. A. in its
army work, chiefly abroad, was in con-
slant touch, not only with the various
relief agencies. but also with the army
from the time II began TO arrive in France
until year after the armisticc WAS pro-
mulgated Therefore, he had the best op-
pcrtunity 10 observe everything from
every angle.
The American Army, me said, not only
proved itself-to the whole world-to he
composed OF the highest type of man
hood, but also To be capable of advance
ment. As an illustration of the latter
point, he quoted a high French officer,
VINO ttftFNele0 At Il utSCpNtTN ne
made. IL was his custom to review thou
sands of French troops, at intervals.
Later he reviewed American troops IN
the same manner. Each time he made
study of every soldiers face rs he passed
down the line. At times he found that
20. so and sometimes 40 per cent OF the
French privates were capable of assuming
commands. In similar observations of
American troops he could not find more
than > per cent that he did not consider
capable of exercising executive authority,
placing them in line for promotion. Are
these picked men?' the French officer ask
ed an American officer IF they are not.
you Americans know something about
developing fine army material that We
have not learned" He marveled when
told that they were not picked men; that
all American troops were equally pro-
frient and all of the same high type of
manhood. His eyes were opened wider
than ever before and his estimate of
american manhood, as result of these
observations, seemed 10 be shared by all
Of France and the other foreign countries
that had opportunities 10 observe.
Mr.. Edmonds paid high tribute 10 Col.
Max Wainer, Wilmington officer who
gained distinction In many WAYS. Colonel
Wainer, he said. worked out system for
maintaining efficiency among the Of
iicers. He was at the head of the depart
lnent which took charge of those who had
Jailed 10 measure up at the front. In
each case of this kind the officer was sent
To him, tested out and returned TO the
duty of which he WAS capable, being in
structed in those matters In which he was
n special need of instruction. Many
other accomplishments Of Colonel Warner
were described by Mr.. Edmunds, who
was in almost constant touch with him.
AN ACCOMMODATING MONARCH.
Mr.. Edmunds told some interesting
anecdotes which further emphasized the
high estimate the world obtained of
war. When it became known that the
American Army was looking for suitable
rest resorts for vacations for the men the
Prince Of Monaco, who ruled over Monte
Carlo, offered the latter place for the use
Of the Americans. He was insistent, stat
ing that he would see that the hotels
provided every accommodation and lux
Iry and did not overcharge, and to pro-
hibIt gambling, so far soldiers were !
concerned. But" said the American /
officer to whom the offer had been made, /
while the offer is profoundly appre- /
ciated, your country is neutral and |
soldiers would naturally have to be |
nterned should they go there" oh, /
the prince replied, that can easily be
remedied will declare war on Germany.
The Kaiser has not kept his promise to
save harmless my property In France.
In fact, it has been stripped of all its
valusbles. So he declared war and Monte
Carlo was accepted and used as a vacation
resort, and the best of everything was
provided for the Americans, including
American guides, &c. If there are any
laws you want especially enforced, the
prince told an American officer, lust
saw 50, for any law can be put into effect
here in half an hour SO Monte Carlo
became all that had been promised and
the visitors enjoyed the hospitality Of
the prince very much
Speaking OF the y NJ C. A. work, MIR.
Edmunds said its chief accomplishment
was in providing vacations for the troops
European soldiers could go home for their
vacations, but as American soldiers could
not do this, the Y NJ c. A was asked To
find suitable rest areas Accordingly. /
some of the leading summer and winter |
resorts were picked out, the finest hotels
engaged, with the best Of accommoda-
tions and absolute freedom from military
In addition to making these |
arrangements the Y. Nj G. A. rented
srge casinos and fitted them up with
sll sorts of American amusements. At
Irst the soldiers were required 10 pay
heir hotel bills, but through the efforts
Jf the y. NJ. &. A. and untlrlDg aid of
Colonel Walner, Uncle Sam shared the