New-York tribune., 1921-11-06


5 for those the head vaiter didn't knou
bargain, when We have won it by dint of
sweat, fasting and broken bones But poor
wretches like us, forced away from home,
when at last they return, after losing their
habits Of labor and industry, and mayhap
limb, get but little of your glory. Many
one, among their old friends-no better men
than they--who were not, perhaps so good
werkmen, have made money during the con
scripts seven years of war, have opened
shop, married their sweethearts, had pretty
children, are men of postion--city council
lors--notables. And when the others who
have returned from seeking glory by killing
their fellow men, pass by, their chevrons or
their arms, those old friends turn cold
shoulder upon them, and if the soldier has
red nose through drinking brandy which
was necessary to keep his blood warm in the
rain. the snow, the forced march, while they
vera drinking good wine, they say, There
goes drunkardt and the poor conscdpt,
who only asked to be let stay at home and
work, becomes q sort Of beggar."
And something of the understanding that
comes to the conscript as to the meaning Of
army life:
"At Frankfort learned to understand mill
tary life. Up to that time had been but
simple conseript; then I became soldier
| do not speak merely of driil-the way o.
turning the head right or left, measuring the
steps, lifting the hand to the height Of the
first or second band to load, aiming, recover
ing arms at the word Of cemmand-thgt is
only an affair of month or two, if man
really desires to learn; but / speak of disci-
piine--of remembering that the corporal is
always in the right when he speaks to pri-
vate soldier. the sergeant when he peaxM*
the corporal, the sergeant-lnajor when speak
ing to the sergeant, the second lieutenant when
he orders the sergeant-Major, and so on to the
Marshal Of Franee--even if the superior as
serts that two and two make FIVE or that TIE
moon shines at midday.
This is very difficult TO learn, but thers Is
one thing that assists you immensely, and that
is sort of plaeard hung up In every room IN
the barracks, and which is from time to time
read to you. This placard pre-supposes every
thing that q soldier might wish to do; as for
instance, to return home to refuse to serve, to
resist his officer, and always ends by speaking
Of death, or, at least five years with ball
and chain
Having grewled tiercely down the years 70
19iT, one reaches the era OF which Mr.. Des
Passos writes, according to him, an era Of thin
inedible slum, of greasy water for the wash
ing mess kits, Of uDhearable and senseIess
discipline; Of domineering, inefficient and
utterly nalevolent officers; of non-con,s,
swayed by the syehophantic; of wishy-washy
Z" "Y'' men; of obseanty, iakumanity and brutal
ity, aud I'll the ain,less agony of war some
times reputed to have been waged for the de-
fenge of civilization. A pictsaye which, were
it drawn to the scale of the q loie truth m
stead of the part, would put an end to war
without the aid of the approaching conference
III Washington. And, by the way, should that
conference some future conference succeed
IN the abolition Of war and arms it also viii
stiil forever that equally venerable but far
less deadly institution--the soldiers crouch.
But may the work OF the conference be
whelehearted, thorough and complete, FOR
while you may liat armament there can be
no such thing as limitation OF soldier grouehes.
While there are any arms at all, it is safe
presumption thero will be armies to use them,
whether they are disguised as cops in the
manner Germaaie or whether they are skeie~
tonized ad absurdum, after the less efficient
American method And while there are any
armies there will be grouches. The ranks may
be thin, but the grouches will be up to war
strengthen better.
While bugles blow an untimey reveille,
While cooks iadie slum, while rifles continue to
have that mysterious property OF increasing
IN weight by the mile, while artillery horses
are heavy of foot and unequipped with shock
ahsorbers, while officers and non-coms fail to
consult ones personal inclmatons; in shsrt.
While tits "this mans army there will be n
plentiful supply of grcuching material outside
OF the regular auartermaster's issue.
But let it continue. Let the old soldiers
homes perpetuate it. For it is harmless ard
singularly refreshing to the many who weary
OF the tap of the unseen baton and the leaders
voice commanding, "We viii now ali join In
singing that grand old ballad why General
Wood Wasn't Sent to France First eherus.
Mr.. Creel; second (and sane), Dir. Tumulty.
And. bows. mind your ne and conaraastp