Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/79

Rh of the entering forces. That offended the commander. Wherefore —"

His hand made a circling gesture in the direction of the accusing rubbish.

All morning and during a portion of the afternoon we were carried through the war zone, pausing at towns whose names have become immortal. And in the fields between we saw many graves, marked with crosses, here and there supporting a faded cap. About the graves the fields were cultivated, yet no mound had been disturbed. The French have come to look upon the random tombs of the men who fell saving Paris as national monuments. They impress one as the most imposing memorials a nation has ever constructed.

During this trip I received one or two examples of the social justice of compulsory military service as it is practised in France. My Quaker companion and I were gossiping of Japan at luncheon in the wagon restaurant. Next to the Quaker sat a pleasant, middle-aged man, wearing the uniform, made of a sort of overall material, of the transport corps. Suddenly he turned and spoke in excellent English.

“You are interested in Japan?"

We embarked on a random conversation.

Quite naturally it developed before we were