THE RED FOOTBALL

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 18 October 1918, Page 1

THE RED FOOTBALL

|_Mr James Campbell f The Times's * correspondent "'with the Fr-ench arm;) compare* Generals Humbert, Mangin, Debeney, and Berihelot to a quartet of clever footballers, dodging, feinting, and rushing, according to the tactics of their opponents,- bus alwaya playing into each other'B hands.] When the British go up to battle, Good soldiers and sportsmen ail, As they face the coffoa-miU'e rattle, Some bravo lad throws in a ball; And they dribble it up to the wire. Where the Boche lurks dirty and iow. And into the heart of the fire The soldiers and football go.

Then brave young lirea on the aH«r Of the German War God fall. But they hang not back, nor faster, Thej follow, follow th* ball; Though stark may a player tarry— Fair rest for a gallant soul! His fellow-forwards -will carry The ball to the German goaK

The game's in its final quarter. And the beaten team of the Hun Becla back, dismayed with the daughter. And the score is at ten to none; And still do our forwards follow . The ball at the close of the play, And the Boche has soma dirt to swallow In.the dust of his blood-red day".'

Now clear through tho shattered miiMt Of the backward-reeling fot, •' " ' Brave Maugin to Humbert" pastes, And Htimbert to Berthelot. OJi, cheer 1 for the home team' 6 •winning Soon the whistle will end it all. For the ball to the touch-line's spianing, And the Boche—the Boche ia the ball.