Semi-weekly herald., 1915-03-04

girlhood, to stay while with rel
atives and determine if the change |
would not restore the child's health.
They left Durango, June 81, sailed
from New York for Germany June %,
and reached their destination July a.
The assassination of the crown prince
of Austria and his wife occurred
about a week previous to their ar
rival. There was considerable feel
ing over the matter, but that Eng
land and Germany might go to war
before the trouble was settled seemed
a possibility too remote to be given
consideration.
How the Declaration of
War Was Met.
When that eventful day, August I'd,
arrived and war was declared, it came
as a great surprise to many German
people They believed regardless of
Misunderstanding Germany and Eng
land would maintain friendly rela-
tions. They held then and still hold
that the kaiser wanted peace and did
everything he could do with honor, to
prevent the trouble The Germans
claim that England is wholly respon-
sible, and is a war based on CONNER
eial reasons, England being jealous
Of Germany's marvellous progress.
But when war was declared Ger
mans everywhere rallied to the sup
port of the government and loyalty is
growing stronger as the days of the
conflict advance. In the village where
Mrs. Olbert's father lives, place
less than one half the size of Du-
range, one hundred men between the
| ages of % and 40 answered the call
to arms. As time went on and the
age limit was gradually changed un-
til it included all males from 10 to
is, more than $50 Joined the ranks
of the soldiers. During her stay eight
of the number met death and more
than a score were seriously wounded
Others contracted diseases from liv-
ing in the damp trenches, made worse
by the terrible rains, that will leave
they eripples for life. This is typi-
cal of conditions everywhere in Ger
many, many dead, more wounded
and others crippled for life, as re-
suit of the exposures they have en-
dured.
Germans Go Forth to Battle
Confident of Victory.
At first Germans were confident of
success, so well organized were their
forces. But they soon recognized the
numbers against them were so great
they must increase their force, hence
The change in age limit. 1t is antici-
pated that this will be increased at an
early date to include men who are
past As and possibly boys less than
10.
Men of all classes, occupations and
professions responded in accordance
with the military laws. The railroad
employees are the only ones exempt
,hese being kept at their post of duty
as the government feels they can best
serve their country by doing so.
Mrs. Gilbert said that the hundreds
of thousands who went away to fight
Germany's cause were brave men who
faced their duty apparently light
hearted. She saw scores and scores
of troop trains on the way to the
> scene of battle loaded with soldiers
singing, shouting and waving theil
hats as though on pleasure bent
/ though recognizing perfectly wha
they were facing.
The Spirit of Sadness That
| Prevails Everywhere.
t The women and those men who ar,
unable to go forth to battle appreci
ate the terrible odds against whicl
their loved ones are struggling, al
, though they still entertain hope O
ultimate victory. The terrible spiri
I Of sadness that permeates everythin,
is more pathetic than words can pic
I ture. Hardly family but has givel
one life for the country. Many hav
: lost four. The next news may tel
of the death of others. War is tn
topic around which all conversation
/ centers. Everybody is trying to d.
, something for the soldiers. Peopl
are knitting, knitting everywhere
Children in school spend their pla,
/ time knitting. Old folk, who lon,
, since ceased active labor, are diligent
ly plying their needles, fashioninj
i, garments for those in the trenches.
All things of social nature, ex
| cept the theater, have been abandon
! ed. New Years day, usually fes
tive occasion with the German peo
| Ipla