The Nevada County picayune., 1918-07-25
CHAPTER l..

am German soldier. Naturally at the time when the war started we did not know that there would be such a war AS Is being waged today
 Daily we soldiers were told that France and Russia wanted to attack us and that the kaiser was doing ey- erything possible for our protection. the teeth and prepared to march away. During these preparations, which showed us all that war had to come. IS men Of my company deserted.
 The government published. during thiS time. bulletins almost hourly to prepare the people for the war. Il suhterfuge that succeeded perfectly. Consequently two days before war was declared. the people were overwhelm- tngly for war. but they were certain that 1t was only to he between Ger many and France.
 Of the intervention of Belgium, Russia, England and Italy, the coun- try had as little thought as 1t did of any participation of the United States. All thought only of the promenade to Paris. which, to the disappointment of &he people. and also, surely to the disappointment of the autoeracy. has been longer drawn out than had been wished for.
 In these days Of uncertainty the soldiers. contrary to the cruel treat ment which they had experienced be Gore. were treated literally with great quantities of supplies. delicacies and beer. so that most of the soldiers were 90 drunk continuously that they were unable to realize the seriousness Of the situation.
 And yet the majority of the sol dlsrs could not be enthused over the war They eheered and were enthu' elastic because they knew it was the orders. On July 31, 1914. one day be fore the declaration of war. we left, after being brought to war strength. for our garrison at Mainz-am- Rheine.
 Where the enemy toward which we were to point our bayonetS was we had not the slightest Idea. All we did know was that we had to he trans ported somewhere to protect the Dor der.
 There were stirring times as we started out Tens of thousands of people threw flowers at us and all wanted to shake hands. All-even soldlers-cried Many embraced their wives or young brides. The bands played farewell songs and people laughed and cried all Ut the same time. Strangers embraced aad kissed each other "A veritahle witch's holi- day" of emotion was loosened and en- guifed the populaee like q storm. No one, not even the strongest could re Slst its powers. Yet even this was surpassed by the leave-ta6ing at the depot. where last farewells had to be said. This scene will never leave me :. How desperately many women clunG to their men Many had to be foreibly removed.
 But this was nt last done and then we were placed in cattle cars, Night came and we had no lights The train went slowly toward the Rhine. II went smoothly enough. Our company. which had had days of great excite ment, welcomed the rest that the jour ney afforded. Most of the soldiers slept with their knapsacks as pillows. Others looked drenmily into the flu ture. Stin others secretly pulled pie tures from their breastpockets and ouly very few killed time by discussion and comment on their possible desti- nation.
 "Where are we golng?" Yes, where7 No one knew. Then after endless hours. the train stopped. We were in Duren. What were we there forf We did not know. The officers only shrugged their shoulders at our questions.