The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-02
AUSTRIAN NOBLEMAN Is
FIGHTING WITH AMERICA
=. "toHcs, ""untry But Is Full
"ociety-


Leavenworth, Kan, 2.-Native
Of Austria, member OF the nobility of
the empire, ensign Of the Austrian ma
Wy in which he served eight years, Eu-
gene Joseph Chevalier de MinartelH
Fitz-Gerald has renounced allegiance to
his mother country and has made appli-
cation for a commission as lieutenant
in the United States army. He will take
the preliminary examination with other
applicants July 49,
This new American IS acting first SER
geant Of the restored detachment at the
disciplinary barracks at Fl Leaven-
worth. 1t is his duty TO drill men who
have been sentenced for some infraction
Of army regulations.
Though born In Austria, Sergeant
Fitz-GeIald says he always was an Irish
His was the first family Of F.tz-Geralds
in Ireland, according to a record on rus
ty parchment cherished by the young
sergeant. The present Duke OF Leinster
in Ireland is OF the protestant line Of
the family. the record shows. Several
Of the Fitz-Geralds signed the Magma
Charta in 1915. or an alleged offense
against the government in 1887, five Of
them were hanged, quartered and burn
ed, and their ashes thrown from the
tower Of London. Others led the great
Geraldine revolution. and the great
grandfather OF Sergeant Fitz-Gerald was
forced to flee to Spain in 1887. His
grandfather went TO France but left
the French service to assist Austria in
the war against Italy in lS4s.49.
VIII Fight Father and Mother.
There the family has lived ever since
and there Sergeant Fitz-Gerald's faith.
er was born in 1855. He and his two
sons are now fighting for Austria. Ac.
cording 10 last word received from them.
the father was TO take command in
the Austrian army. One OF Sergeant
Fitz-Gerald's brothers Is lieutenant com.
mander in the naval branch OF the avia.
tion corps OF Austria and another broth.
er is captain OF the Tyrolean Rifles in
the Trentino. The husband Of sister
also is an Austrian officer.
"They are soldiers" said Sergeant
Fitz-Gerald. bound by a system which
means death II they do not enter the
war, and in all probability death II they
do. II they had their way they would
rather be here But I am not forced
by the government TO fight. My con
science is the only Dictator and some
day ! hope 20 Fly the Stars and Stripes
K over the home OF my parents IN Aus
tria and then they will all be free"
Learns Of American Freedom.
In 1907 Sergeant Fitz.Gerald who
/ was then 20 years old. resigned from
the Austrian navy to enter the consu
lar service. Leaving this. he became
/ Interpreter FOR a steamship line While
plying between England and the United
States he became interested In stories
OF the United States and the freedom OF
/ It's people; and landing In New York
/ IN October. 1913. he severed relationr
with the steamship company. Elever
days later he enlisted In the United
/ States army at Fort Slocum. Serving
the army continuously since that time
he was stationed on. the border with
the eighteenth infantry. lie has beer
detailed az Fort Leavenworth since No
vcmbcr, 1916.
"A country which stands for human
| ity and the rights OF mankind as doe,
our United States cannot help being or
the right side In this great struggle.
Sergeant Fitz-Gerald said proudly IN
telling OF his application for citizen
ship" and | hope TO be allowed 20 q,
my hit In crushing the 'warloard' o
| Europe