ny part of France. The
attitude of the French people had much to do with this. The unfailing
courtesy and consideration with which they treated the Negroes awoke an
answering sentiment in the natures of the latter. To be treated as Men,
in the highest sense of the term, argued that they must return that
treatment, and it is not of record that they failed to give adequate
return. Indeed the record tends to show that they added a little for
good measure, although it is hard to outdo a Frenchman in courtesy and
the common amenities of life.

This showing of Negro conduct in France takes on increased merit when it
is considered that the bulk of their forces over there were selectives;
men of all kinds and conditions; many of them from an environment not
likely to breed gentleness, self restraint or any of the finer virtues.
But the leaders and the best element seem to have had no difficulty in
impressing upon the others that the occasion was a sort of a trial of
their race; that they were up for view and being scrutinized very
carefully. They made remarkably few false steps.

CHAPTER XXIII

NOR STORIED URN, NOR MOUNTING SHAFT

GLORY NOT ALL SPECTACULAR--BRAVE FORCES BEHIND THE LINES--325TH FIELD
SIGNAL BATTALION--COMPOSED OF YOUNG NEGROES--SEE REAL FIGHTING--SUFFER
CASUALTIES--AN EXCITING INCIDENT--COLORED SIGNAL BATTALION A
SUCCESS--RALPH TYLER'S STORIES--BURIAL OF NEGRO SOLDIER AT SEA--MORE
INCIDENTS OF NEGRO VALOR--A WORD FROM CHARLES M. SCHWAB.

Out of the glamor and spectacular settings of combat comes most of the
glory of war. The raids, the forays, the charges; the pitting of cold
steel against cold steel, the hand to hand encounters in trenches, the
steadfast manning of machine guns and field pieces against deadly
assault, these and kindred phases of battle are what find themselves
into print. Because they lend themselves so readily to the word painter
or to the artist's brush, these lurid features are played to the almost
complete exclusion of others, only slightly less important.

There are brave forces behind the lines, sometimes in front of the
lines, about which little is written or pictured. Of these the most
efficient and indispensable is the Signal Corps. While this branch of
the service was not obliged to occupy front line trenches; make raids
for prisoners, or march in battle formation into big engagements, it
must not be supposed that it did not have a very dangerous duty to
perform.

O