The Washington herald., 1917-09-08
Chester SNOW, JR., WASHINGTON AERONAUT
TELLS OF HIS EXPERIENCE "OVER There"
Passes Safely Through Danger Zone Where
Feeling Is Tense-Expects to Fly for
the United States Shortly.

Some interesting sidelights on the
war conditions in France, and the
dangers Of passing through the dan
ger zone Of the U-boats are contained
in two letters received by attorney
Chester Snow, of the District, from
his son, who soon expects to be num-
bered among the personnel of the La
fayette Escadrille, the crack flying
squadron of the French army.
Chester Snow jr., although less than
10 years old, is imbued with the
idea Of doing his Bit" and some
time ago decided that he was
best fitted to war against Germany
through service in the air.
He sailed from an American port
and passed the submarine zone LII
sofety. He describes his experiences
in the following graphic letters from
somewhere, "overthere."
On board a French Ship.
Dear Father:
1 think we will probably get in short
ly, so 1 want to write this in order
TO mail 1t on the boat before leave,
or in - as We may be there only a
short while before going to Para
The voyage has been perfect so far
in every respect, the days sunny and
balmy, the water always calm.
l like the members of the Lafayette
squad very much, especially the seven
with which I dine. The boat Is very
crowded with more people than the
dining-rooms can hold, so two services
are held. We get the second, which is
the best. I have been walking the
deck. sitting in my chair, reading Avia-
tion-a book I bought In N. Y. before
| leaving-and playing chess. / do all
| the translating at the table, as none
of the other seven know any French
TO speak of. I also give them lessons
and am continually telling them
French words. / have lived to see the
day when / am supremely thankful
that you had me learn French. 1t has
proved continual benediction for
me and my friends. and will prove an
even greater one when we reach
France.
1 hear that the lectures at the fly
ing school are given only in French,
and that the Americans there get
little or nothing out of 1t. A large
number on the boat Of both am
bulance sections are trying feverishly
to learn a little Of the language, OF
which they have just begun to re-
alize their need, and classes are con-
Quoted regularly for them by Cana
dian convent girls going to France
for some reason, but they cannot
learn the language in eleven days.
All Carry Life Belts.
Have just learned that these let
rers, II mailed on the boat, will not
be censored. We have been in the
danger zone for two days, and the
feeling is very tense, especially at
night, when the ship steals silently
along under forced draft with no
lights, outside decks canvassed in,
and life boats swung out on their
davits, ready. The watches have been
doubled, and at least four lookouts
are up front, while at least two are
always in the stern. Passengers
carry life belts around with them
very large numbers sleep on deck,
and last night the order was to sleep
in clothes. I slept in my cabin In
my underclothes. Last night bunch
stayed up all night, playing cards
and drinking coffee which has been
provided during the last two lights
for those wishing to stay awake in
case of emergency. Today / under
stand We meet a convoy and arrive