The Journal of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Volume 20) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916. Excerpt: ... 1910 Secretary, William C. Greenough, 84 St. Antoine St., Montreal, Que. William J. Weir, in a letter dated Paris, March 31, writes: "I think enough has been said and too much has been written about the work we are doing over here. It is so very little after all in comparison with the real fighting that the fellows out in front are doing. The ambulance has served its purpose, not in the actual aid given to France, for France could have gotten along exactly as well without us, --perhaps a bit better, for I can see where we often create confusion and trouble--but by the spirit of which it gave evidence: that is, we represented sympathy, moral support and a desire on the part of Americans as individuals to do more than stand by as onlookers. The presence here of so many American volunteers, mingling with the men of the army all along the front, defending at every opportunity the real pro-Ally sentiment of the American people, and doing our work and accepting the hardships as a matter of course, --all this has served to keep alive that instinctive friendship for America which has been so severely tried during the past year or two. If we have done that--as I hope we have--we have performed a real national service, for the French are of such calibre that we ought, indeed, to be proud to have them for our friends. One couldn't be with them in these trying days without profoundly admiring and loving them. "I have just completed my six months' engagement and am awaiting the action of Congress before deciding about "signing on" again. If war is declared, I think the real purpose and work of the American ambulance is finished, and I shall go back. But it is a temptation to think of warm summer weather and the coming big offensive out at the front. We suffered pretty s...