Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-14
THE FOREIGN LEGION.

ing former American soldiers for the
Spanish Foreign Legion. which has
been organized to fixht against the
insurgents In Morocco. A bonus IL
given on enlistment, and each man
receives four and one-half pesetas.
which il about so cents day. accord
ing to the present rate OF exchange.
A great many war veterans In New
York City. unable to ind work. have
turned to this new organization. and
80 far one entire boatload of men has
been dispatched to Spain
1t is not likely that this new body
will ever attain the prominence OF
the famous French Foreign Legion.
The latter was organized for colonial
service many years ago. Although
the French authorities discouraged
men from other nationalities enter
ing it. Vet for many years that gov
ernment was virtually forced TO ne
cept strangers in order to keep the
ranks flled. no civilian recruits from
the various army classes being trans
fcrred to II.
ouida. in that powerful and fasci-
mating best seller OF yesteeyear, Under
Two Flags" glorified the Legion in
manner which left an indelihle nm
preston upon the mind of all readers.
Eventually the corps became the most
romantic outfit in the entire world.
attracting to IL renegattes, desert
ers. crooks. adventures, and gem
tlemen whose purses were absurdiy
low. That was the ForeignLesion in
1914.
Many Americans living In Paris
wished TO enlist under the French nag
when the first cali to the colors was
sounded. French laws forbade the
recruiting of foreigners. except In the
Legion. This was rapidly filled, and
several regiments were manned al
most entirely by these men.
IL is unnecessary to retell the stor-
les Of the valor and fortitlide of the
Legion during the war. Time and
again its colors were decorated for |
wholesale bravery, and on hundreds
Of occasions individuals in &c were
singled out for gallantry. Before the
war was half over IL was the prize
outfit in the French army. with the
exception of the small Lafayette Es-
radriile. which was rendering a great |
though very dissimilar service TO the
French nation
Allied officers who had been broken
IN their own armies fiocked TO the
Legion and enlisted under assumed
names, hoping that the blot against
them might eventually be wiped out. |
One of the most dramatic cases of the |
war was that of British regular
army colonel who was court-m
tailed and dismissed from the service
'or dereliction of duty in face of the
enemy. He also entered the Legion.
Before year had passed he had risen
rom private to colonelcy. and had
been decorated three times for ex-
-reme valor. Then IL became known
hat he formerly was Colonel the
in the British service. His
King sent for him, and because OF his
splendid service in the Legion the
I'D charge against him was expunged.
Ind he was restored to rank in his
,wn army.
This Spanish Legion may never be
anything but a mere reproduction on
/ very minor scale of its prototype.
L would be very marvellous fight
ng unit indeed IL il could imbibe some
4 the spirit of the French orza MIA
ion. Even then, il will take some
yreat novelist with a romantic non f.
ascinate the world with tales Of ire
leroism before II becomes widely
Known. The world recognizes only
me Foreign Legion, and that is the
french one.
BOBBED HAIR.