Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-10-19
Pontarlier, France.

August rs, 1917,
MY Dear Francois:
1t is high tile that | answer your
good letter ! shall speak very lit
tie about the war, but it is difficult
to be silent on this point under the
present circumstances,
do not doubt the intensity of the
effort in the United States, but what
is now needed most is speed. Dur
ing the first two years of the war the
economic conditions in France had
hardly changed, the prices of food
stuffs had not increased much, but
it has been quite different during the
last year. And life threatens to be-
come precarious for the laboring
masses and employees living on lin
tied salary. Besides, the French peo-
pie could not put up with rationing
like that of Germany; they wouldn't
want to. The presence of numerous
English soldiers in France has thus
far contributed to the high cost of
living. Finally, the arrival of the
first American soldiers has already
caused all prices to advance. They
pay regardless of price. France,
which produces much less, Tart of
the land being no longer cultivated
and a very fertile part of her terri
hot
and which is deprived of part of
her imports because of the sub
marines, must nevertheless contrib
ute her share to feed the allied
armies within her borders; whence
the increasing scarcity of foodstuffs
for the civilian population and a
soaring of prices which would not
have been thought possible in an ag-
ricultural country.
II is therefore necessary that
America hasten her effort. What
are at present the conditions on the
French front after three years of
war? OF a front extending over
more than 700 kilometers, our al
lies are holding only about 80 kilo-
meters; thus the heavy load is still
falling almost entirely upon France
and the appearance of America on
the scene should relieve exclusively
France, which has suffered most
from the war
| am still skeptical as to the out
come of events in Russia. fear that
that country will not recover from
its internal commissions. at any rate,
II is quite low, and | do not know
whether Kerensky will be able to re-
float the ship Of state. 1t is a great
misfortune for the allied cause.
France is counting that America will
more than make up for Russia from
military point of view. AS for her
financial assistance, no nation could
do what she has already done for the
allies
| know that the American people
are carrying on war without enthusi-
asm and by sheer necessity. They
accept the solution which their dis
tinguished President has chosen for
them. For a long time we here tand
IN particularly thought that Presi-
dent Wilson was not sufficiently SEN
sltiye TO the insults which Germany
was forcing upon him. Today, being
better informed, l recognize my mis-
take. America, commercial and in
dusjriai country. did not want war at
all a late as a year ago She was
essentially pacfst Credit is due to
her President for moding the pe1-
pies opinion in favor of war. He
saw that Germany's victory would be
the end Of all democracies, of Amer
ica herself. and, in short time and
very patiently. he succeeds in instili-
Ing his views in the minds of the
American people who deserve credit
for following him. have. of course.
read the Presidents addresses, but
NpbAh iOA BCSciblN SUN MARIE iHelll
here. have too much to do and
read the newspapers feyerishly. |
can hardly find time 10 glance them
over. President Wilson bases his ar
guments and action exclusively upon
Right. Justice and International Law.
as nearly as can recollect He acts
scienuous lawyer. He points out in
the clearest manner Germany's
wrongs. which are constantly grow
ing worse in this war, and the neces-
sity of the United States 70 have
Right Justice and Law respected. He
is especially against the ruling class
Of Germany. This is all can recall
al present
is