THE AMERICANS.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 June 1918, Page 6

THE AMERICANS.

TO “CAN THE KAISER.” UNCLE SAM’S ADVANCE GUARD. "WHEN HELP WAS MOST NEEDED. LONDON, June 11, The gallant and heavy fighting of the Americans has made a dramatic impression in France and Britain. “At the moment of the severest ordeal the Americans have arrived,” is the cry ringing round France, and causing a thrill of exuberance, and a somewhat hysterical reaction after the days of anxiety. All know that the Allies ’ hope lies here. Since March, in response to the French Premier’s appeal, the stream of American combatants has become like a steady, full flow from a high-pressure pipe-head which previously emitted a trickle. Great fleets of transports ceaselessly are bringing vast loads of men, almost without accident under the masterly control of the British Navy, It is no secret that hundreds of thousands have been landed without casualty. Mr Baker’s promise that 500,000 men would be in Europe by May has been fulfilled. Many thousands are actually in the line, f; After a long wait, America’s effort suddenly looms large, and has taken a shape comforting to the Allies when the help was urgently needed. These convoys, sailing out under the I torch of the great Statue of Liberty • which guards New York harbour, steal across the Atlantic by devious routes on their perilous voyages amid the deepest anxiety, but the Germans not only have failed to carry out their threat to destroy the American armies at sea, but have signally failed to disturb communications. This doubtless explains why most of the enemy newpapers do not mention the American soldiers, ignoring this' week’s splendid series of actions. General von Ardenne, however, has indicated a new line of official “dope” for the German public. He says: “The Americans won’t hurt because they don’t understand that the science of war is a question of many years’ industrious training.” During a recent visit to the American front I was most impressed with the splendid intelligence and physique of the infantry. They undeniably are amateurish, but they have ways all their own. I saw one line of men awaiting their pay. They spent the time in their gas masks, accustoming them-} solves to these horrors. They are teeming with questions, and alert to all interests like simple youngsters from good homes. They have much to learn, but are full of good, valorous intentions to “can the Kaiser,’’ Their physique is indisputably far better than the European.