the Tomb of Washington on your own Fourth. It
comes to this: 'One more Bastile remains to be
taken, representing feudalism, autocracy,
despotism, the German one, and when it falls,
peace will reign again.'"

And over in France was an American--brave, kind of heart, dignified and
tremendously in earnest who stood before the people of the old world as
the very personification of the spirit that animated the new world.

CHAPTER XVI

INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS

ONE of the most striking elements in the grip which General Pershing has
upon his soldiers is well shown by the following extract from a letter
which a quiet, unknown doughboy recently sent from France to his mother:
"I think I forgot to tell you that Pershing looked us over. He is a
wonderful man to look at. Power is written all over his face. Believe
me, with a man like that in the lead we ought to win, hands down. Just
one look commands respect and confidence."

One reason for this confidence doubtless is the frequently expressed
opinion which the commander also has of his men. Again and again he has
publicly declared that the idealism of the American soldier boys was
bound to win this war. "They will defend these ideals at any
sacrifice." And those who are aware of the spirit of many a young
American student in college or worker on some quiet farm, will
understand why General Pershing has made so much of this idealism which
he says is the backbone of the American fighting men in France.

It is not only the General, but the man Pershing behind the General that
makes its appeal and finds its response from the American boys. In every
Y. M. C. A. hut in France to-day there is hanging a picture of the
leader of the American armies. Underneath this picture are the following
words, which bear his own signature:

"Hardship will be your lot but trust in God will give you comfort.
Temptation will befall you but the teaching of our Saviour will give you
strength. Let your valor as a soldier and your conduct as a man be an
inspiration to your comrades and an honor to your country."

The meaning of these words perhaps becomes more apparent if for a moment
they are placed in contrast with the reported relations existing between
the German soldiers and their officers, sometimes driven into battle by
brutal methods, threatened, kicked and beaten, and if they protested,
sometimes the gunners were chained to the