THE BIG BROTHERHOOD

Levin Daily Chronicle, 17 October 1918, Page 1

THE BIG BROTHERHOOD

(By Lacey Amy.)

With tho Cinadian i'orccs, France,. July 15.

With much pride there has just been shown, me by a battalion officer a let; tor of thanks and appreciation for its repent work in the .line. The special significance of the commendation was that it came from an Imperial General, under whom the battalion ..had been, temporarily upholding the reputation of Canadian arms. That letter enters the battalion files and records as , one of the pleasing incidents of war that swing Canadians and- Imperials along shoulder to shoulder in the great fight —jealous of each other, to be sure, but with a jealousy that makes them better friends, more enthusiastic admirers, and more efficient rivals.

Two dusty, foot-weary, Canadian officers entered an officers' canteen in . a certain town occupied by Imperial soldiers. In the canteen at tho time were only Imperial officers, and tlic Canadians took their seats quietly and gave tlieir order. The Imperials, a party of friends enjoying the rest and refreshment of this quiet spot, fell into sudden silence at the entrance of the strangers. Then a big Irishman •in the corner rose to his feet and removed his cap. "By , boys," he shouted, "I take my hat off to any Canadian, officer or private." And then they cheered.

Discussing with an Imperial officer the possibilities and dangers of information concerning the location of units leaking out to the enemy,, we were com? menting on tho many innocent channels and mediums. "One thing certain,'? he laughed, "is that the Germans know so well right away where the Canadians are that any leakage of their whereabouts cannot be serious. They're always putting something over on the Hun."

Opposite my window a motley group has just entered a 1 store. It consisted of five soldiers, " evidently excellent friends—a Canadian Scottish, a Highlander, a Canadian, a shire, and an American. And all five hesitated a moment at the door iu an "apres vous" manner. I attach no special significance to the fact that the Canadian Scottish finally led, beyond the freshness of his garb and his more complete mastery of the French language. Through the window I can see that he is acting as interpreter. The last to enter was the American, a subtle acknowledgment of the order of entry into the war.

It surprises and pleases me to note the anticipation with which the more active participation of the Americans is greeted on every hand. The Canadians invariably adopt the attitude of "I told you so" when the official reports chronicle American success, We rather pride ourselves' on our intimacy with our cousins to tho south, and on every justification of our prognostications. The Imperials are content to express delight and satisfaction, as if eager to believe the best and give credit at every excusc, The Americans, by their unassuming ways and insistent aggressiveness in the line, have won the goodwill of an army already disposed to estimate them highly as fighting men. When the German report came in the other day of five aeroplanes brought down from a patrol of six American raiders, frank incredulity was expressed.. When the American report verified it, there was nothing in it but hard luck and a basis for further avenging exploits. Tho American flying men have had a hard fight before thorn to sustain the hopes held out for them. The kindly applause showered on American methods by the English papers—which have from, the first ignored the mistakes certain to creep into any war administration—is either • accepted in Prance as the complete story, or is a reflection of the feeling here.

Nowhere more than at the Dominion Day Sports—acknowledged to be the greatest celebration ever held in the war area—was this fraternity of feeling exhibited. The Imperial officers and men looked on at the scenes unknown to their experience, at games which have never been part of the athletic training of the Englishman; and their earnest efforts to understand the different features were responded to by surrounding Canadians with tho fervour of missionaries.

Indoor baseball was caught 011 in France,, played, of course, out of doors. It is quickly learned, its calibre here is not too high to admit an amateur, and any cricket player possesses sufficient qualifications to feel at home in a few innings. I have not yet seen a game of cricket, probably because tlio necessity of a smooth crcase discourages it, but I have seen scores of Imperial officers and men throwing into indoor baseball a Tim and eagerness never displayed in their own home game. "Indoor baseball knocks cricket into a cockcd hat," declared a cricket player to me. Probably the quicker action, the wider inclusiveness of the game, and the laughs it rouses among tho players and spectators—to say nothing of the rooting and jollying—appeal more to the soldier in France than the more serious and scientific game of cricket; and the equipment is simpler and cheaper. "Another. factor in the pleasant relationship is the interchange of officers. There are hundreds of Canadians with commissions in the British Army, some in the positions of the greatest responsibility and highest rank, and as I write more are being sought. Serving with the Canadian Divisions arc Imperial Staff officers —G.S.O.'s they are called in the military way of designating every official by the initials of his position—-and some of these have so firmly established themselves in the affections of the other officers as to simplify the duties of a position by its nature difficult to fill, and to discount beforehand the trifling misunderstandings bound to arise in a Iwge army of raised dependencies and temperament. Indeed, I am informed that some of the G.S.O.'s are "more Canadian than the Canadians.'" They have adopted Canadian ways, Canadian expression; and an autopsy would reveal Canadian eyes and Canadian feelings. Their Imperial friends laugh about their "conversion" without implying criticism. This smoothness of administration and complete good-feeling is more evident to-day than it was even _ eight months ago when I visited France. I imagine it is due in part to a careful inspection of individual fitness and to readjustments and regulations planned with this in view. A man likes to fight- beside his friends, of course—but friendship is becoming very elastic in France.