Fleet Lord Wester Wemyss, G.C.B.,
etc. "

LXXXV. Colonel Edward M. House. "

LXXXVI. Mr. Robert Lansing. "

LXXXVII. The Emir Feisul. "

LXXXVIII. M. Eleutherios Venezelos. "

LXXXIX. Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty, Viscount
Borodale of Wexford, O.M., G.C.B., etc. "

XC. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C. "

XCI. General The Right Hon. J. C. Smuts, P.C., C.H. "

XCII. The Right Hon. G. N. Barnes, P.C. "

XCIII. The Right Hon. W. M. Hughes, P.C., K.C. "

XCIV. Brigadier-General A. Carton de Wiart, K.C., C.B.,
etc. "

XCV. M. Paul Hymans. "

XCVI. The Right Hon. Sir Robert Borden, G.C.M.G., etc. "

AN ONLOOKER IN FRANCE (p. 011)

CHAPTER I

TO FRANCE (APRIL 1917)

The boat was crowded. Khaki, everywhere khaki; lifebelts, rain and
storm, everything soaked. Destroyers, churning through the waves,
played strange games all round us. Some old-time Tommies, taking
everything for granted, smoked and laughed and told funny stories.
Others had the look of dumb animals in pain, going to what they knew
only too well. The new hands for France asked many questions,
pretended to laugh, pretended not to care, but for the most part were
in terror of the unknown.

It was strange to watch this huddled heap of humanity, study their
faces and realise that perhaps half of them would meet a bloody end
before a new moon was over, and wonder how they could do it, why they
did it--Patriotism? Yes, and perhaps it was the chance of getting home
again when the war was over. Think of the life they would have! The
old song:--

"We don't want to lose you,
But we think you ought to go,
For your King and your Country
Both need you so.

"We shall-want you and miss you, (p. 012)
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, kiss you,
When you come back again."

Did they think of that, and all the joys it seemed to promise them? I
pray not.

What a change had come over the world for me since the day befo