U. S. HUSTLE IN FRANCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 November 1917, Page 3

U. S. HUSTLE IN FRANCE.

THE AMERICAN GENERAL AND THE TELEGRAPH.

Paris newspapers announce that the American troops are already beginning to depart from camp The Marines are dsappearing rapidly, and it is quite obvious that General Pershing wishes to despatch troops to the front with the least possible delay. The troops welcome with enthusiasm the news of their impending transfer to the firing line.

An American general recently had occasion to visit a telegraph office in the vicinity of the camp, and asked the lady in charge to connect him as speedily as possible either by telegraph or by telephone. “I am very sorry,” the telegraph operator replied, “but there are already twenty-three calls booked before yours, and each of these will oc cupy ten minutes.” The general in question thereupon asked her to stop the previous calls, but as he could secure no satisfaction he issued orders to construct four additional wires from the camp to the neighbcm~ town.

As there was some delay in securing the necessary authority from French telegraphic administration, the Americans carried out the work themselves. It is not yet known whether the necesary authority has come

to hand; the lines have all been duly completed.