This French unit was under the command of Major Malley, who from his appearance ought never to have dropped the “O” before his surname.  He and his officers were some of the best; but the atmosphere of South China had robbed them of some of their native energy.  He informed me that his destination was a point on the railway near the borders of North-West Manchuria, and by consulting my own instructions I guessed the object of his move.  In case of need I should at least have the border open.  In addition to which the move was an indication that so far as this venture was concerned English and French policy ran parallel.

The first part of the journey was through hundreds of miles of uncarted corn.  As far as the eye could see, to right or left, one vast sea of derelict corn, left uncared for on the land to rot in the Siberian winter.  The entire absence of labour, and the complete breakdown of internal administration and communication had produced stark want in the presence of plenty.  It made one feel quite sad to look day after day upon this waste of human food and remember the food rations and regulations at home.  All along the line there was a continuous stream of refugees of all nations and races—­poor, hunted creatures who had horrible stories to tell of the ravages of the Bulgar and the atrocities of the Bolsheviki.  At one place the Serbian women and children got the breakfast of my men, the Tommies refusing to eat until the kiddies had been satisfied.  And the pathetic homage they paid to our flag when they discovered it was the flag of England!  I shall never forget some of the scenes which showed us also the wonderful trust the struggling nationalities of the world have in the power, humanity and honour of our country.  It is a priceless possession for the world which Englishmen must for ever jealously guard.

Through apparently never-ending uplands we entered the great range which forms the natural boundary between China and Siberia.  On and on, through mountain gorge and fertile valley, we broke at length out on to the wide open plains of Manchuria.  Perhaps it could be best described as a combination of all the most wonderful scenery in the world.  It is somewhat difficult to keep three huge trains of over forty trucks each together on a single line.  This, however, had to be done, first for purposes of safety, and secondly for defence in the then lawless state of the country.  The next difficulty was transport.  Horses had to be watered, and if they were to be ready for use the train must stop and the animals be exercised every fourth day.  Hence much scheming and management had to be exercised for the journey to be successfully carried through.