The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-30

My duties put me in touch with the different consulates, as I had to see them about forwarding mail for the great num- bers of refugees that were passing through. The British consul and I soon came to know each other well and one of the many pleasant memories of my service there will be associated with MT. Hutchinson. He is Il very capable man, and if old England has the same class of talent at the head of her army as he. we may expect to hear that there will be some brilliant fighting before the great European war is over.
 French Consul Friendly
 The French consul and I soon became great friends. He was extremely kind to me and often acted as interpreter when l went aboard French ships to get the mail. l reckon one. thing that brought us together was the fact that informed him that in my native state of Alabama a tablet marks the spot where in the city of Montgomery the great Lafayette was once entertained. l have from him a Is.saT written in his own hand, stating that we had made good in Vera Cruz
 One Sunday l was on the Malecon Sanidid trying to make the Mexican cap tain understand that l wanted the mail carried out to the torpedo boat that was to sail at o'clock that afternoon I was about to give up in despair when a man came along and when 1 asked him if he could 'ablar Inglese.' He replied 'poco. l told him my plight and he made the captain understand I met that man afterward and found him to be the Cuban consul and l shall always have a kindly feeling for him for helping me out on that occasion.
 By all means every man should come in close contact with the United States n.ix " T f..., 44,- It Is the greatest aggregation in the world and contains thousands of the cleanest and highest types of men from privates up to generals.
 Some Interesting Soldiers
 A man in Mexico that I found to be in a class by himself was Col. John Riddle Porter, the military governor He has not been mentioned in the papers as much s some others, but he is very capable man. Adjutant General Evans is another man that could acquit himself With honor in any capacity. l was thrown with him often and was always treated with every consideration. l came to love Captain Currie and Lieutenant Madison or the signal Norps. All the wireless messages had to go through them and l saw them a great deal
 As to the future of Mexico no man can safely predict. The Mexicans are not yet ready for self government, as we nave 1t, but with a system of public schools 1t will be possible in another gen erat1on to so educate them that in a measure they will be capable of self government. Villa has the right idea in that he will send a portion of his young men and women to this country to be educated. It seems to be his idea that they will imbibe American ideals and then teach them to his people
 Robinson Scored Success
 Army officers tell me that the greatest success that my chief. H. M. Robinson. ever scored was in Vera Cruz I am glad to have worked under so thorough man; glad to have participated with him in that success. I never in all my life saw men work like the boys in the United States postoffice in foreign land and every man should feel happy over what he helped to achieve. I think there was no happier man in Mexico than Il when my chief gave me letter, thank ing me for my work. Praise, If such 1t might be classed, from Mir. Robinson. Is doubly sweet because he Is known as most thorough official. I have been greatly helped by my experience.
 Coming back to my duties here, I find that Superintendent King has made just the record I felt he would make when he was promoted the first of the year Oh ttii StucS HcdI luc CltIhS SpcthiHS in terms of commendation of what he is doing.
 Finally, I am glad to get back to the land of corn bread, beans, cabbage. onions and hot biscuit. My aunt, Mrs. Callie M Smith. on South Highlands, gave me all the biscuit wanted and cleaned up 10 the first breakfast I had with her.
 ITO the man who 'cusses' his govern ment in the states. I would say: Go to Mexico; live there a time and when you return venture the statement that you will thank God that you are a part of the great nation that this counry is 1"
 Newspaper Men Pleased
 The following letters received by Mr. Poole give some idea of what the postal officials who went there had to do and how they did it. The following letter is from w. G. Shepherd, newspaper man, who represented one of the big American agencies in Vera Cruz:
 Dear MT. Poole You probably have not fully realized how much the news paper correspondents, during the early days following the occupation of Vera Cruz, were dependent upon the malls and how bad and unreliable the mails were until somebody got hold of the Vera Cruz postoffice and set 1t right. I'm presum- ing to tell you, as correspondent. that I watched you closely when you first came, to see how promptly order would grow out of chaos and I must tell you that the change was immediate. As an onooker, I saw you do a big piece of work, easily and with masterly touch, and I want to thank you for putting a first class American postoffice into our midst in "A hours time. Yours sincerely,
 w. G. SHEPHERD.
 Consul Is Appreciated
 The following letter was written by tho American consul at Vera Cruz:
 My Dear MT. Poole: It has just come to my knowledge that you are to return to the United States. am glad that ccrditions now enable you to return tn your home to enjoy a more tranquil life than the one you have led here, but am selfish enough, at the same time to be sorry to see one of the consulates real friends depart
 Your name will always be associated with that of your worthy chief when we recall the very capable manner in which the postal agency has been operated dur ing the occupation of the port of Vera Cruz by the American forces. No one could have taken more personal interest in cooperating with us in handling the vast amount of mall that has come for x