Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-09-12
Two, YEARS AGO.

Expeditionary Force launched Its first extensive offensive against the Germans at St. Mihiel-the initial onslought of an American army unit exclusive of supporting French or British troops with the exception of a few auxiliary French detatchments. The blow was the force that brought to the kaiser America was in the war in earnest; fighting for unselfish priciples; caring for naught save the downfall of German 
 Shortly after midnight terrible of the Teuton positions began from the American section and continued until dawn when partici- pating Yankee divisions composed of regulars, marines, national guards men and boys drafted from every walk of life left their trenches to follow barrage that completely de- moralized the German soldiers left to guard the positions in salient made into French territory four years before. Prisoners poured into the American camps, many of them expressing surprise that America had been able to strike such blow with in so short a time after her entry into the conflict. The German com mand had belittled the part the United States would play. Many of
 the prisoners who fell into Ameri
 can hands had actually prepared for their capture. Hearing, they said that the offensive was to come and tiring of the conflict militarism had forced them to carry on they had visioned their capture by the doughboys, be- lieving they would be sent imme- diately to the United States. An example is the case of German
 Alsatian lad, 19 years of age. After his capture and during questioning by an American Intelligence officer, he told of promise he had made his
 mother on leaving for the front.
 She made him swear, he said, that as soon as opportunity presented it. self he would become prisoner of the Americans. He radiated of the fulfillment of this promise in his
 conservation with the American off
 cer. Germans then could not help but
 respect the principles for which the United States entered the war-not against the German people, but to de- |stroy their system of domineering militarism.
 However, accomplishments of the
 boys who took the German trenches land strengthened out the salient,
 must not be subordinated with ex- |pouses of the shaken morale of Ger
 man soldiers. Deeds of these dough-
 boys must remain immortal and they were not concluded without sac rifice of life and painful wounds. The entire operation against the wedge was wonderful feat of Amer
 ican earnestness and military gen. jus. Besides wrecking the enemy's morale, it bolstered the courage of the allies and thrilled American hearts with pride for the boys they had unprecsdently sent to foreign soil to teach the principles of lib- erty.
 The morning of september 12, two years ago today, the League of Ma tions idea cut it's first tooth and America earnestly began to wage a war to teach principles on which the United States was founded. En- suing successes of the doughboys and allied soldiers brought an end to ravages of militarism crazeo race. American arms had been vic torious. Two years have elapsed in which the nation had an opportunity to consolidate the ground gained, yet political jealousy stands in the way of that end. Meanwhile vete- rans peruse at it all not understand ing the actions of its country in- fluenced by senate "obligarchy" Mothers mourning their sacrificed sons wonder at the patriotism claim ed by those who preach the Tenth Commandment, but insist on selfish interpretations of the Biblical law.
 Never before has the nation even lintinated Z deserting ]. principles for which her soldiers shed their blood. :. Jealousy did not rob soldiers of their fruits of victory following the Rev. olutionary war, the war of 1872, the war with Spain, the Mexican war, nor the 1campaign in the Philippines.