VIVE LA FRANCE!

Somehow the arrival of the French officers, and the parade in their honor bring the war home to us more than any of the recent occurrences. Gradually the University has become more and more devoted to the tasks of service before it, but these tasks have so far been local and personal. There has been nothing to place the College as a whole in intimate connection with actual warfare. Now, however, drill officers have appeared who have been themselves participants in the battles of France and Flanders. With these officers marching and drilling with us here in the Square, Harvard can no longer consider herself removed from the real conflict. To some this may come as a shock, but to all it will be an inspiration.

Of course the visit of the Frenchmen has far greater significance and value than that of the actual military service they will perform. It is only one of the great many signs that Harvard is beginning to recognize the debt which al America owes to France. The two countries, after a century and a half, are once, more allies in a just cause. At that time France helped us more than we can realize, with men and money with Rochambeau, d'Estaing, and Lafayette. In this war we have been helping France, too, if not so generally at least as devotedly. We, too, have sent them men and money, have given them Chapman and Prince and Hoskier. Thus far, of course, our help has been individual and unofficial. But now that we are in actual alliance our co-operation will be a thousand times as effective because it has all the sanction of a great Government and a united people. Our soldiers will be able to fight for France without the risk of expatriation. Our money will go directly to the French treasury. And the French Government, in sending these officers to Harvard, is recognizing the official and far stronger bond that now unites the two nations.

And no one who saw the wild enthusiasm which greeted their appearance yesterday in Boston need doubt the sincerity of the affection our people feel for France.

We are allied in the common cause of justice, of democracy, of peace. Together we shall crush our common enemy, singing "Marchons, marchons, qu'un sang impur abreuve nos sillons!"