The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-19
4 GERMAN letter.


Mrs. Lydia Fuller OF Clyde, Kan,
has translated portions of interesting
letters on the German war situation.
written by her cousin, a teacher. Will
liam Deikner, of Bernberg. The letters
were dated October q, % and %.
Threatening war clouds broke upon
US the last days of July. and all hopes
of peace died as we saw the efforts of
our kaiser ignored by our neighbors.
All reports you may read to the con-
trary are lies. Our kaiser ordered the
mobilization of the army and marine
on August l, which also began August
2. 1t called for quick work on our part
as the Russians on the east and the
French on the west had already crossed
our boundaries in a few places.
The 8th of August will be proud
day in the history of Germany. The
conservative party of the Reichstag.
ardently supported by the Socialist
members. together with all Germany
arose as one man to defend the Father
land. BY the 10th Of August two mil
lion volunteers had offered their serv-
ices to our kaiser to defend the nation.
Another proud day is the 18th of Au-
gust when we offered four and one-half
million (marks) in answer to the one
million called for. This was a blow to
our enemies who believed us unable to
far has been favorable to our side. OF
course, We have had losses in dead and
wounded. At present writing there are
no enemies on our soil.
I'VE are caring for half million pris-
oners. Our troops captured Liege on
August s; entered Brussels August q;
besieged the French in LOthringen
August Fl; captured Namur August rs;
Longuy, August 20: besieged the Rus
slams at Tannanberg, took 100000 pris-
oners August %; captured Givet Au-
gust 81; captured Maubege September
s, $4,000 prisoners; besieged the Rus
slams at Lych, took $4,000 prisoners.
September IL; bombarded Antwerp, the
strongest fortress in Belgium, Septem-
Der % and captured it the 9Th of Oc-
tober; occupied Ostend October Is.
Lille October Is. All attempts to out
flank our right wing have failed. We
are looking into the future, trusting
Cog as our Helper. AS forty thousand
teachers have answered the call to
arms. it means longer hours for us who
remain at home.
Our boy. the only one we have,
wished to enlist as a volunteer and we
did not hold him back. He left his po-
sition in the bank and with others Of
his friends has been in training at
Dessan. The fifteenth of this month he
started for the front with his regiment.
Who will remain on the battlefield?
questions that mean much. GruesOme,
cruel deeds have not been committed
by our soldiers but they have been en-
acted upon our wounded even by nom
cOmbatants.
Our kaiser is one of us. He has CIV
en- his six sons, who are striving for
the Iron Cross with the soldiers, Their
young lives are dear to them, but no
dearer than the Fatherland.
The crops here-grain, potatoes.
sugar beets, fruit and vegetables-were
exceptionally good. The prices in food
stuffs are normal. in few cases per-
haps little higher. We have read Of
the scarcity of food in the enemies
country.
Brother Karl Pfeiffer is still in train
ing as reservist at Dessan. They are
allowed to go to their homes on Sat-
urdays and return to the garrison Sum
days while in training. William Wal
ter was wounded in the calf of the leg
and is again at the front. 1t is almost
impossible to keep the wounded the
allotted time before returning to the
front. they are so crazy to get back.
If you will send parts Of my letter
to be published in your papers, will
feel grateful. and in the name of our
dear Fatherland. I thank you 1t is
time Americans know the truth"