Deming graphic., 1921-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY

Last Tuesday was the third anniversary
OF the first attack IN force by Ameri-
can troops In France. This was at
Cantigny IN the Montdidier sector
and the conduct OF American soldiers
In that assault was described In the
French cOmmunique as "magnifi-
cent" Next Tuesday will be the anni-
versary of Chateau Thierry, the first
major operation by the newest rein.
forcements for the allied nations.
whose might was then strained almost
10 the breaking point under the pres
sure Of the Germans advancing ITO
the Marne and on Paris the outer de-
fenscs Of which the invaders already
held under observation. II was the last
desperate effort of the Huns 20 destroy
the French and the British before the
strength Of the American divisions
could I've made effective. At Chateau
'Thierry the enemy encountered the
Americans in force and it is notable
hat the enemy got no further.
Discouraged TO the point Of despera
tion. the French and the British were
on the point of confessing their defeat
The British held on from force Of hab-
! IL and the French because they in
tended to fight as long as foot of
French soil and pOilu remained. The
Yankee troops In France aud those
swarming across the AtlaDtlc In ever
! increasing numbers were cunfessedly
new at the modern game OF war. Could
they stand against the powerful vet
icran German divisions seasoned In the
years OF battle that had elapsed since
the summer of 101II At home Ameri-
cans were enthusiastic, but not boast
! full of what the first results would he
when the youths of the New World
should first meet In battle with the
| trained battalions Of the Old World
The Huns themselves were openly
scornful.
But few brief months were t0
elapse when an American army was IN
grasp the key OF the German line IN
the west and force a passage to Sedan
| first through the most elaborate and
deliberate field works the Boche en-
gineers could devise and then through
| the wild and damp denseness Of the
/ Argonne forest. organized 10y the ma
chine gunnerS Of a desperate stubborn
| foe. SO three years ago American
youths were being tried by fire many
had already died In II year Of trencn
warfare and the casualty lists became
too long to publish as issued The
dead. mo- less than the living Who car
ried the stars and strips into Germany,
contributed TO the favorable decison-
the Salyaging of the civilization OF
Western Europe and of the world.
Had they not fought to the point of
extinction we today would he speak
ing German probably with an accent
reminiscent of the days of freedom
and national pride This n, indeed,
no idle supposition; Germany had the
desire for world conquest within hui
man limitations, the means OF con
summuting her wickedness. aBnt the
soldiers Of the Great Republic, as IN
the days Of ancient glory, were willing
and anxious to step between American
homes and the foul legions Of the de-
spoiler. Whatever the soldier Is To-
day. then he was an angel sent of God
for the preservation Of the INSTITUTIONS
Of liberty. justice and equal opportuhl'
ty. The OblatiOn was not without "A
price: seyenty-five thousand American
Youths slept their last sleep In the st'l
Of France. From Flanders to the
Swiss borders along the Ainsc, the
Nnrne. the MeuSe they were buried IN
shallow graves marked by rude crosses.
Later those who slumbercd In sunny
river valleys and in the damp wood
lands were gathered together for trans
portation to the land they died TO tie
fend. Frequently the transports ar
rive with their freight of flag draped
ttskets that contain the dust OF our
hero dead. Many of us inow the mor-
nv jostling groups that filled the lower
decks Of the war time transports -Cfi
for the great adventure with last
kiss from loved oJNs. flowers and
cheers aud marital music. How diff
ferent is the home 'oming OK those who
paid the price of unselfish devotion.
But we owe our soldier dead the only
tribute which we can pay-tears' love
and n determination that the cause Tor
which they fought shall be as dear To
ms as to them In the days OF their pas
sion. Everyone agrees chat we do owe
Ilt'lH u Ntui W. W AAN hANhh' ~ -
full measure. hut we can he honest
with them by uphOlding the ideals FOR
which they contended so nobly. They
gave OF youth. and health, and life and
the Joys Of future days, which nothing
can restore to them; we can give only
loyaI service To our common country.
What would our dead say should
they hear the apologists Of Hun
treachery that defile the pure air OF
this city OF the desertT What would
they say to those who contend that
soldiers are murdarers and seek to
strike from the pages of history the
record of American military valorf
nisloyalty in word and thought Is with
us as In the days when the Hun legions
were threatening the strongholds OF
And we permit II because I
s.tbo ,rar l. ovpr" This Injustice 10