"LITTLE BROWN MEN"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3191, 15 September 1917, Page 2

"LITTLE BROWN MEN"

ANNAMITE TROOPS IN THE FRENCH

FIRING LINE

(By Henry Wood, Special Correspondent with the French Armies.)

Annaiaite troops, composed of "little brown men," of France's colonies in Indo-China, have just had their baptism of fire on the Western front. Although, from the.standpoint of physical stature, they are without doubt the smallest men participating in the greatEuropean conflict, vet they hayo acquitted themselves in the fighting in a manner that gives them rank alongside- with the troops of greater physical endowment.

The Annaniite battalions are composed entirely of volunteers, and although they are now on the fighting line for the first time, they have been in France for a little over a year. Their first public appearance was on July 14, 1916, tho French national holiday, when, along with the Russians, Canadians, English, Belgian, and Australian troops, they participated in the military paTade at Paris. Especially by the side oi tho big husky Russian contingents the little Annamites appeared like pigmies. What they lacked in physical size, however, the Annamites moro than make up for in spirit. Almost without exception they aro students from the French schools, colleges, and the universities in Indo-Cliina. The announcement there, early in. 1916, that volunteer battalions would be formed for service in France, resulted almost in the depletion of tho French educational institutions. With an extraordinary degree of loyalty and devotion to the nation that had given thorn their modern education, the students enlisted almost to i\, man.

Although a nation of very-rigid social classes, Anuamitea accepted tho democracy of French army life with the same spirit that they displayed in responding to France's call for help. In the battalions now serving in France are Annamites with the rank of Count, with tho rank o.f Mandarin of the first, second, and third classes,' and with various other distinctions of casto and nobility among themselves. All the courtesies to which these ranks give title are scrupulously observed, bnt when tho battalions aro formed for fighting or other service on the French front the Counts and the Mandarins become merely the private soldiers that t])ey temporarily are, and the brothers of all the ,rcat.

An especial effort is' being mado by the French officers in charge of tho battalions to observe all distinctions to which tho noblo Annaraites are accustomed when it is possible to do 30 without interfering with military discipline. Whoa the Annamitea Mere first brought to France there was do idea of using them as fighting troops. Their small stature 6eemed to preclude that; They were drilled and employed in all of the various services of tho rear, bucli as convoy chauffeurs, load builders, on afforestation work, and similar occupations. Their constant proximity to the front, however, soon aroused in them' an ardent desire to participate in the fighting; and now, after a little nioro ttmn a year, they have been given their ch&nce to establish their right to bo in tho fighting ranks. Their place there seems, 100, k> have been permanently won.

Although now making tho biggest encrih'ce ,of which they aro capable by daily risking their lives for France, tho spirit of the Annamites wan in noway changed. Recently" whou one of tho battalions changed position baok\iii tlio iinea, the commanding officer gavo a cash prize to those who built tho new camp. When the money was handed over to the Annamites it was promptly roturiied, with tho request that it be used ' for the French wounded. Other Ammruitcs that are working in one of the French powder factoriea also took up a collection amongst themselves for tlm benefit of thoso of their number who happen lo be so fortunate aa to be amongst thoso flhosen to go into the fighting battalions. When this money reached tho Annainitos in tho front-lino trenches it was accorded tho sumo destination. Unanimously the lighting-Annamites asked-that tlic money from tho munition-making compatriots be turned ovor to tho French wounded, and tho French officer accepted tho gift Not to- havo done so would havn boon a, shock to the loyalty and devotion of the Annaraites, which Franca prizes above all else.