Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1920 — Admiration and Respect for Qualities of the American Fighting Man. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Admiration and Respect for Qualities of the American Fighting Man.

By GEN. CURIERES DE CASTELNAU

French Army.

I have no hesitancy in asserting that the military forces of the United States of America contributed very largely by their splendid display of valiancc, efficiently directed, to the final supreme triumph of right and liberty. During the war I gained an intimate first-hand knowledge of the American fighting man’s qualities. My personal admiration for him is only equaled by my professional respect I know him as only a commanding general knows his men.

From the moment the American soldier first met the enemy until the wry end, he displayed the most remarkable individual courage. His magnificent spirit in battle was invincible. Officers and enlisted men rivaled each other in bravery, coolness, energy, tenacity and the spirit of ■elf-sacrifice. _ — After once seeing the American army in action, we were impressed that, had our confidence in victory needed a stimulant, the presence of our transatlantic comrades would have been sufficient to assure us of the inevitable victory. Whenever troops show such splendid soldierly qualities as displayed by the Americans as individuals —and it is on the individual soldier that the general, in the last analysis, counts for success—all hopes are justifiable, all strategic and tactical plans are feasible and success is inevitable.