Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-30
CHAPTER XVI.
interviewing the Major.

The sergeant saluted, clicked his
spurs together, moved majestically to
a position in front of the cigar case,
and clicked his heels. again. Judging
by his movements, one might almost
have supposed him to be some great
mechanical doll. But Charlie Brown
was quite certain that he, for one,
had no desire to play with him.
81 feel much better now," he told the
major. :
81 can imagine" the other said. -
you speak very good English" the
American remarked generously.
'Why not?" the officer asked. 81
spent three years at Columbia"
Mr.. Browns newspaper instincts
crowded to the front again.
"By JOve! You're a German! You're
in the army-you speak English! :. :.
It's too good a chance to miss! Say,
can | interview your
Major Won Brenig regarded him Gu
riOusly for a moment. He seemed to
consider that the American would be
a satisfactory person to talk to, for
he said presently: .-,.-.
''Yes-for I should like America to
understand, to realize what Germany
is fighting for
Elmer Charlie exulted "Can Ger
many w1n?" he demanded, looking up
at Major Won Brenig in his most pro-
fessional manner
at is inevitable-there is no chance
Tn fnil" tha officer rpDIipd
"And what is Germany going to gain
from the War-if she winsY" -~-
"When she wins, you mean," the ma
for corrected him stifly.
"Well, when she WINS" Charlie con-
coded.
''She will be the greatest power in
the WorIdr' .-y $500
Except the United states!' Charlie
interposed
"Do not let US discuss your coun-
try, sir! You are my guest" --~-~
Charlie rose and bowed to the Ger
man.
81 get your he said. ooh, just a
minuten' he added, since the major
appeared to consider the interview at
an end. "And what about England?'
he asked, dropping into the chair once
more
That question was one that the Ger
man officer was only too ready to take
up.
What army has Englandw And
straightway he gave the answer:
"None! In only one thing is England
our superior-in lies and intrigues!
There she has always been our master;
but she will not fight. That is for
France and Russia to do. But If the
war lasts they will grow weary Of be-
ing the catspaw. England Is
q fine example OF your happy Ameri-
can phrase, Let George do 1tr"
"And the French?" Charlie persisted.
''Tke French! For forty years they
have been thinking of what some day
they would do to Germany; and while
they thought, we have planned, we
have worked-and now today we are
ready-and they are notr' l..--
you seem very confident" Charlie
told him.
y
our men Of brains have been planning
a systematic most marvellous system
in the worldr'
"What pity 1t isn't devoted to
peace instead of war;" the American
said somewhat pensiyeIy. All the while,
as they talked, the boom Of field guns
in the distance punctuated their SEN
fences.
I'm the end it will be for peace"
Major Won Brenig said graveIy, :'the
peace of the world. For this is just
war-and justice must triumph"
"But what of these poor people
these nOncombatants-Who streamed
through here little while ago|
at is the habit of an invaded coun-
try to proclaim the invaders as bar
barians," the Teuton replied warmly.
But we Germans are not barbarians.
We are a simple people fighting only
for our fatherland."
"And the ruined towns-destroyed
homes-and civilians shot"
But Major Won Brenig had always
an answer ready. He was an honest
man; and he was convinced Of the
justice Of the German cause.
IF we are fighting soldiers we treat
them as soldiers" he pointed OUT But
if men or women Turk behind closed
shutters or on housetops to shoot our
men we shall burn the house they live