April 30, 1918 - Don Martin writes about arrival of the first American draft soldiers

Don Martin diary entry for Tuesday, April 30, 1918: 

Boucq today with [Bert] Ford [International News Service], who seems to be a very decent chap. Went to American aviation field near Toul and got good story about two American fliers bringing down a German plane. Some of the correspondents who hurried to the other front with the 1^st division are returning. Americans there have done nothing yet and correspondents were unable to send anything.

Bought a wrist watch in Nancy for 320 francs [~$75 then] – will give it to Dorothy when I return home.

French make slight gains against Germans. Germans drive has temporarily at least been checked.

Weather threatening and rainy.

        Don Martin’s dispatch dated Tuesday was published in New York Herald on Wednesday, May 1.

First Draft Men in France Eager for Final Touches to Get at Grips with Enemy

Allies and French Villagers Elated at Stalwart Appearance and Soldierly Qualities 
of American Units in National Army, 
Who Land Filled with Fine Spirit Amid Acclaim

By DON MARTIN

[Special cable to the Herald]

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Tuesday

           Recently arrived troops give to Europe her first opportunity to see the character of America’s National Army soldiers—snappy, in the pink of condition, eager and overflowing with the proper spirit. I was present to-day in a section of France where, in several tiny villages, the new American arrivals were billeted, to take their finishing course in the shadow of the battle lines. I saw bank clerks, lawyers, merchants, men of the idle wealthy classes—all as happy as could be, Here the Americans all are keen to get final instruction so they can get at the actual front.

           All are proud to be here. They say the folks back home are proud to have them here. They know they are getting ready to enter the battle line where the death toll is extremely heavy, but that it the least that worries them. They have been in France long enough to see what sacrifices France has made and still is making; also how the old folks are bearing the heavy burden of the children, whose childhood will mean only desolation, sorrow and so forth; so the Americans are glad they’re here and equally glad to do their utmost.

Americans Cause Sensation

           The man who says he disliked to give up business when called by the nation now says he wouldn’t return under any circumstances, even if he had the chance. He is here perhaps on account of business ability and might take an easy berth, but he says, “The firing line is my place!” That is illustrative of the American soldier.

           This particular unit landed recently after a voyage aboard one of the erstwhile Hamburg-American ships and caused a sensation in the small port by giving white bread to the residents, the like of which they never had seen before. They came to quarters in trains, thirty men and ten horses to a car—quite a change from the Pullmans many of the men were accustomed to. But they were merry and songful just the same and just as happy on the quaint village’s earth floors as if in a mansion.

           Never have I seen a finer spirit. They were the very best type of young Americans. Army officers, watching the arrival of the National Army, smiled with pride.

          The supply of dictionaries soon was exhausted as this detachment arrived in the villages, as the men were eager to learn French. Many of the Americans speak it already.

Kisses American’s Hand

           In the towns I visited many villagers never saw an American before. In these quaint placed the sabots [wooden shoes] were on every doorstep. I saw one soldier with fifteen children gathered around him. It was the same thing everywhere. The French peasants say all the children love the Americans, proving that the Americans are fine men and enjoy the esteem of the French. These curious places are so marked as to refuse to raise prices, although the Americans are ready to pay anything and many can well afford it.

           I saw an elderly French woman kiss the hand of a brawny American. He patted her on the shoulder as a son might. I saw a hundred evidences of the splendid comradeship between the French and Americans. The scenes are similar to those to be seen in other villages where the American troops are getting ready to take their pace in the line.

           The Huns are hammering the American sector, and it is well understood that the Germans know the Americans’ “insignificant army” is swiftly growing to a formidable fighting force, which makes it imperative for Germany to win the present battle or face a crushing defeat, as the Americans already are in the French line.