Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-03
STOYALL OVERCOME
1T BERNE At SIGHT
Of FREED GEORGIANS

BERNE. Friday. Nov 39.-(By The
Associated Press. )-One hundred
and fifty-SiX American officers and
non-CommiSSiOned officers, the first
prisoners of war in Germany to be
released through Switzerland, were
repatiated today.
The men left Bavaria this morn
ing and crossed Lake Constance.
They were met at Zurich by en-
thuSiaStic crowds Of Swiss and
Americans, and the welcome at
Berne surpassed almost anything
OF this kind seen in Switzerland since
before the war began.
Pleasant \. Stovall, the American
minister. and Mrs. StovalL, the eli
tire American legation, members of
the Red Cross, the diplomatic corps,
other allied nationals here and high
Swiss military and civil authorities
lined up at the railway station as
tary band furnished a musical well
come, while on all sides were Swiss
and American flags entwined.
The train was halted for hours,
during which the Americans were
Showercd with delicacies, such as
they had been unable to obtain dur
ing their imprisonment Though
the men were supposed to remain
aboard the train, the rules were re-
Taxed sufficiently to allow them to
descend to greet those gathered TO
welcome them. Minister Stovall
held an impromptu reception, shak
ing hands with many of them.
The minister frankly broke down
when some of his native Georgians
appeared.
The women of the American col
ony were on hand in full force,
decorated uniformly with American
flags fastened to white background
bearing the names of their home
states. They distributed every con-
celNable luxury and necessity, such
as ovcrcoats, bags containing a 1ull
toilet kit. writing paper, pencils and
other things, which the men lacked.
The quiet of the Berne station,
where ordinarily one hears nothing
more exciting than a locomotive
whistle. resounded for an hour with
shouts and cheers, the Americans
improvising college wells, especially
for the Swiss Red Cross. which all
agreed had done wonderful work
until the American Red Cross took
over the task of sending food pack
ages. The Y. NJ. G. A. likewise came
in for tremendous enthusiasm. while
the sleepy little city. was stirred by
rccurrent shouts of What's the
matter with the United States? It's
all right
The Americans were ovcrioyed,
particularly at seeing their country
women again. oOulG OIL lIlGHi SGCltlSu
on the verge of a breakdown while
talking TO these women gathered on
the platform. The officers respond
ed to the gifts by distributing
souvenirs" which they had been
able to bring along, chiefly German
iron money pieces and, with touch
Of humor. samples of German bread
sour smelling, heavily crusted,
dark brownsh hunks.
The Americans related that they
had been originally confined in
variety of German prison camps. but
had been gradually concentrated
more and more to the south. so. all
were in Bavaria when release orders
came. Some said that their German
captors had admitted a week before
the armistice was signed that they
wouldn't be prisoners much longer
because Germany was unable to con-
tinue the fighting.
The food of the prisoners was rea-
sonably satisfactory after the. pack
ages began to arrive. but was lmp9s11
gibIe before that. Several wounued
had high praise for the German meu-
zeal care The majority of the prs
oners were junior officers. the RANK
ing officer being Lieutenant Colonel
Brown. who was captured northWcSr
of Verdun q few weeks ago.