SENSATION MONGERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 14

SENSATION MONGERS

THEY DIE HARD THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION Once set any sensational report goin? and it is difficult to catch it up. For some years now, in book, and talk, and movie-picture show, the horrors of tlie French Foreign Legion have been a popular theme. Here is the apparent!) sane and truthful account contributed to the London “Daily Mail” by a man who knows the Legion from the inside As one who knows the Legion’s W® both in barracks and in the

I would like to point out that

these stories and incidents are, to sa) the least, picturesque exaggeration, writes Hugh Vincent in the “pail) Mail.” True, the life of a legionnaire => not a bed of roses. But he knows tn = before he joins. The Legion, more* over, has been the means of savijkj many a man from utter extinction. A it is not composed mainly of cr \ r ? l ß* I<> and outcasts. This type is neglig* o ; The true legionnaire is the so^ ier j! fortune, the man to whom Fate has a ministered a knockout blow. t Why is it that most writers set to libel the Legion? The type non-commissioned officer portrayed most of these stories simply does - exist in the regiments. Certainly have never met it. There are, of c °“Jrr a few hard cases holding non-conUP-sioned rank; but I have never kn one of them to use physical for( ; e - e . such a man tried this and it was * ported he would be degraded at one • One reads with amusement oi horrors of the penal battalions. j the guidance of future writers , would point out that the were abolished years ago. The onel commanding the regiment „ not ride up and down the line of nia ■ • ing men calling out, “Accursed march or die.” (i>ee a recent boo* the subject.) the The lavabo, or place is legionnaire washes his clothes, never described as the cercle a circle of hell. This term by a German deserter who publisn. j scurrilous book on the Legion in lQ A man who falls out is never t the a baggage cart and dragged aio “^ e to ground. Legionaires are neyer® _ _ clear out the sewers of Sidi-bel-a Cafard, or the so-called madn«J • , the Legion, is simply a state of 1 nerves brought on with the hea gl-over-indulgence in alcohol. A fruity that men in this state are Aities of murder and other horrible atr is a cruel libel on a brave body o n Not a single case is on record ot mra je having taken the life of a c s when under the influence , hme nf malady. Crapaudine, a P UI }‘ S hands that consists of tying a nian .r he a and feet to his back, was aboiis years ago.