Since I left him in the trenches of northern France every day has added glorious testimony to the evidence that moved me to write in one of the chapters of this book: "The American soldier is the worthy inheritor of the finest traditions of American arms, a credit to those who bore him, an honor to the nation he represents, and the last and best hope that civilization will not fail in her struggle to establish the might of right."
I have not aspired to write a complete chronicle of the American overseas army, but have tried to record faithfully what I saw of the men with the colors, and my impressions of the efficient agencies contributing to their well-being and comfort. May the message of the book be worthy of the supreme motives that have brought us as a people into this struggle for international righteousness and permanent peace.
I went to Europe as the official representative of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, as chairman of the United Committee on War Temperance Activities in the Army and Navy, as commissioner of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, and representing the National Temperance Council of America.
My observations in France were made unaccompanied by a military officer, and the way was not prepared before me. I saw things at their best and at their worst, just as they were. Before going to France I spent six weeks in England and Scotland speaking under the auspices of the Prohibition Educational Campaign.
DANIEL A. POLING.
Boston, Massachusetts.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||
| I. | The Pirate of the Deep | [1] |
| II. | War Capitals of the Allies | [12] |
| III. | Down in Flames | [23] |
| IV. | Pershing | [33] |
| V. | Seicheprey | [43] |
| VI. | A Dugout Diary | [49] |
| VII. | "He's a Hun, but We're Americans" | [65] |
| VIII. | "Gas! Gas! Gas!" | [89] |
| IX. | "They Shall Not Pass" | [103] |
| X. | The Greatest Mother in the World | [120] |
| XI. | The First Croix de Guerre | [133] |
| XII. | The Hymn of Hate | [143] |
| XIII. | A Maid of Brittany | [151] |
| XIV. | The Fighting Parson | [155] |
| XV. | Three New Graves | [166] |
| XVI. | A Tale of Two Christians in France | [169] |
| XVII. | Lloyd George | [174] |
| XVIII. | Worthy of a Great Past | [183] |
| XIX. | Rum Ration Ruinous | [189] |
| XX. | Physically Competent and Morally Fit | [199] |
| XXI. | Vive la France! | [212] |