BACK FROM THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 2

BACK FROM THE WAR.

OPTIMISM OF THE ALLIES DR; MARTIN'S EXPERIENCES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, June 28. After spending nearly eight_ months in tho firing line with a British Field Ambulance, Dr. A. A. Martin, of Palmerstou North, returned by the Niagara to-day, and left for Palmerston this evening. Tho journey back to New Zealand has been made by Dr. Martin in order to recuperate, for the work of the army surgeon has been arduous and severe. He has not yet completed his plans for the future. Dr. Martin landed at Havre with the first reinforcements for the British Expeditionary Force, and accompanied it on the last three days of the retreat from Mous. The sth Division shared in driving tho Germans across tho Marne, and remained in the Aisne till the end of September. Then it was moved to the north of France, meeting the enemy again at La Bassee in the second week of October. Dr. Martin was in charge of one of the temporary clearing hospitals.

Dr. Martin also spent three weeks in the trenches at Ypres and there witnessed the charge of the Prussian Guards.

"There are no pessimists out there," he said, "and the most optimistic atmosphere is right in the very front of the British lines.'' Dr. Martin explained that in all ranks of the British and French armies, confidence that tho Allies would, be victorious was absolute and supremo. Neither officers nor men regarded the- matter as ono of question at all, but rather as an clemontal fact beyond dispute.

"The French aro magnificent," he continued. "Tho enomy soldier believes he has a message, and they take the war very seriously indeed. They are extremely anxious to fight and to end the war, but they do not fear death. The French soldiers are much more grave and serious than our men, for the French-, military system, having 110 respect for persons, the army contains a large element of professional and business men, whose intellectual influence affects the character of the whole army, The British soldier fights as though the whole action depended on him alone. He is as dogged and determined when he stands all alone as when comrades are near him. Every man is an optimist who knows and feels he is going to win. The optimism of the British soldier is equalled only by that of the French, for they, too, have an undying belief as to the ultimate end of the war."

The difference between the soldiers fighting in France was illustrated by Dr. Martin by describing the manner in which they make a charge. "The Germans come towards us with crouched shoulders, every man's arms against his neighbour's, without tho moral'support of his comrade's shoulder against his own. As they come they cry 'Rah 1 Rah! Hah!' A low guttural cheer. Tho French become wildly excited as they. advanco to tho charge. They shout, 'Vivo la France! Pour la Pa trie, a has les Roches,' and scream with the exaltation of their feelings. By tlifc French the British bayonet attack is described as tho most cold and relentless 'in the world, and its chief feature is its silence. Tommy swears as he goes into action, freely damning the Germans as he advances with his bayonet ready. There is none of the fancy guard and parry work.' The British Tommy 'holds his rifle firmly with the butt under his arm, and drives with all his weight at the enemy. If he does not miss, the German is killed. Everyone uses the bayonet to bill.

"The war has struck a new phase. One never hears blasphemy among the British soldiers, though he swears as fluently as ever." Although the British Tommy and the French "Piou Pion" will go into battle and perform deeds of unparalloled bravery without a thought of the consequences, when they are wounded they become little children, and have to be treated as children. The French wounded, especially, are in a highly nervous, excited state. The 0110 cry of the wounded is to be taken beyond the sound of the guns. WELCOME AT PALMERSTON. (From Pur Siiecla] Correspondent.) Palmerston North, June 29. Dr. A. A. Martin, who has been at the front for some time past, returned to his home in Palmerston North yesterday, and was accorded a public reception at the railway station. On arrival of the Auckland express. the doctor, who was accompanied by Mrs. Martin, was met by the Mayor (Mr. j. Nash), and a number of friends and officials. He was then escorted to a prepared platform outsido tho station, where he was greeted with hearty cheers from the large number of people in waiting. The Mayor, on behalf of the public, extended a heartv welcome to Dr. and Mrs. Martin, and spoke of the excellent and untiring energy of the doctor at the front. Palmerston people and the whole of New Zealand were proud of him. The fact of tho doctor being twice mentioned in dispatches was noble evidence of his work. (Cheers.) The speaker concluded by wishing Dr. and Mrs. Martin every success in the future. Dr. Martin, upon rising, was greeted with prolonged cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs. He said he was very pleased to be home again, and thanked the Mayor and citizens for their hearty welcome. Touching on the war, the doctor said that the New Zealanders were greatly admired in France and England for their good work in the Dardanelles. Dr. Martin Ihen motored to his residence, to the accompaniment of cheers and applause.

At a meeting of the Palmerston North Recruiting Committee recently, the chairman (Mr. l r . S. Goldingham)_ouJliucd bis scheme for keeping in touch with recruits, which is as follows: —"As we have a large number of men enrolled and passed as fit, in surplus of present requirements, enough to furnish our quota for the Bth, 9th, and 10th, and part of the 11th Reinforcements, I think that some system should be at once adopted for keeping in touch with these men, I therefore suggest the following: (1) That districts be mapped making certain centres where rids clubs or some such local bodies are established ; (2) that a register be made nut and divided into these different subareas. For instance —all the Faxton men would be in one lot, the Pohangina. men in another, and so on. The idea is to get a complete knowledge of each man's address, his family, and the secretaries of the rifle clubs in these subareas should keep in touch with the men. 1 mention rille clubs because they are voluntary institutions, whereas the Territorials are not, and if the rille clubs in the different sub-areas care, as well as keeping ill touch with the men, to eive them a little shooting, they arc the onl.v people to do so, as they could make the men honorary members. The men would know that Sn interest, is being taken in thorn, and this interminable correspondence and telephone messages asking when they can go, as well as the feeling of dissatisfaction that is prevalent right throughout this district at present, would vanish. I feel that if this is done, we shall he helping the Department, and will more than justify our existence." The scheme was unanimously adopted hy the meeting. JToc Ciiilrirr.uV ITnrHitif; Oi'ljßlt ttfc NlglHi Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1». £d,»