Preparedness for peace: Lieutenant Donald H. McGibney of the French Ambuland Corps

              Preparedness for Peace




An intimate story of the great World War now raging in Europe, told by an American who has actually been under fire at the front.  Lieutenant McGibney has served seven months as a member of the American Red Cross, attached to the French Army.  He knows whereof he speaks and he tells what he knows in a manner born of frightful experience.  His addresses are illustrated with pictures actually made by himself, in the trenches and on the battlefields of France and Belgium.  Few Americans have had this wonderful experience.  Hear Lieutenant McGibney and learn the truth from the first line trenches, where thousands of lives have been lost—where death and destruction and insane frenzy prevail over all.



Figure

Lieutenant Donald H. McGibney wearing the full fatigue uniform of the American Red Cross Ambulance Corps, where he served seven months.

Figure

A kodak view of the first line trenches on the Yser.  Photographs of first line trenches are forbidden and the story of the methods used by Mr. McGibney in securing this exclusive view is both interesting and exciting.

Figure

LIEUTENANT DONALD H. McGIBNEY of the French Ambulance Corps

Figure

Lieutenant Donald H. McGibney wearing an army overcoat which formerly belonged to a Belgium officer who lost his life in action.

Figure

This snap-shot taken by Mr. McGibney is remarkable because of the number of noted persons appearing range of his camera.  This picture shows President Poncaire of France, the King and Queen of Belgium, Lord Kitchener of England, Colonel Moriet, commanding the French ambulance forces; Sir John French, commander-in-chief of the English expeditionary forces; M. Briand, the Socialist Premiere of the French Cabinet.


I have heard many talks and lectures by men who have been 
at the front,
 but none which has taken me actually (as it seemed) to the front with the lecturer, as did Mr. McGibney's.  He knows how to make his audience see what he has seen—and he has seen the vital part of this war:  the Western battle line.  He lived in it and he makes his hearers live in it.  He makes you see the picture of it, hear the sound of it and feel the sensation of it.



BOOTH TARKINGTON.




I have heard Cobb, Powell, Archibald.  It gives me pleasure to advise you that none of these men gives a more convincing account of the important events that are transpiring in Europe than does Mr. McGibney, and I heard many things from Mr. Gibney I did not hear from the others.



WILLIAM ALLEN WOOD, Indiana Society Sons of the Revolution.




I do not recall that I have ever listened to a more interesting lecture * * * * Mr. McGibney's story of his experience * * * * brought to me in a close, intimate way the great European war as it has never been brought before.  Mr. McGibney has a pleasing personality and a good, easy delivery, and, above all, he seems to know what he is talking about.



GEO. OSCAR DIX, Royse, Dix and Cooper, Law Offices Indianapolis




* * * * I take this means of emphasizing two points in chief, namely, Mr. McGibney's whole-hearted earnestness and his forceful and expressive delivery.  Mr. McGibney comes with a message of facts, together with very interesting and valuable pictures.



FELIX M. McWHIRTER, Pres. Peoples' State Bank, Indianapolis.




Your experience brought home to us the realization of what the great war on the other side is like.  The immediate dangers of our own country and your justification of preparedness meet the hearty approval of our members.




AUSTIN H. BROWN, Sec. Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution.



He has recently returned from several months' experience at the 
front
 with the American Ambulance Corps in France.  Into these months have been crowded years of experience which range up and down the entire gamut of emotions.  Mr. McGibney had a wonderful opportunity which he accepted in the fullest degree.  His lecture surpasses all articles that I have read concerning this war.



L. L. CAMPBELL, E. M. Campbell Sons & Co.




I have heard several lectures during the past year on the war, but have gotten neither as much enjoyment nor instruction from them as from yours.  The other gentlemen were all courteously treated guests of the combatting forces and witnessed only such things as the censorship of the officers permitted, where you, in actual service, saw war as it really is.  Knowledge of conditions is the first step toward preparedness.  * * * * It is my earnest wish that every true citizen of the United States hear you and profit by the bitter experience of other countries.



STANLEY C. BROOKS, Sec. Society of Colonial Wars.




A remarkable feature of the talk was that it was quite different from the kind we have been getting from others.  You gave us one of the most interesting narratives I have ever heard.



WILLIAM FORTUNE.




The Horrors of War as told by an Eye Witness



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