davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

A food map of Europe today shows
not a single country in which the flu
ture does not hold threat of serious
difficulties and only small part which
is not rapidly approaching the famine
point. With the exception of the
Ukraine only those countries which
have maintained marine commerce
have sufficient food supplies to meet
actual needs until next harvest, and
even in the Ukraine, with stores accu-
mulated on the farms, there is famine
in the large centers of population.
Belgium and northern France, as
well as Serbia, appear on the hunger
map distinct from the rest of Europe
because they stand in a different rela-
ton from the other nations to the peo-
pie of the United States. America has
for four years maintai2ed the small
war rations of Belgium and northern
France and is already making special
efforts to care for their increased
after-tne-war needs, which, with those
of Serbia, must be included in this
plan, are urgent In the extreme and
must have immediate relief,
The gratitude of the Belgian nation
for the help America has extended to
YER during the war constitutes the
strongest appeal for ms 10 continue our
work there, ssse sasuient tie German
rLnies Withdrew fr3sl lAr1 suil and she
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

There was nothing to do but camp
so we pitched our pup tents, and
during my month and half there
slept in them all the time. The
climate at that place is very much
like our California, it being cool and
breezy in the summer and not so
much difference in the winter. You
must remember we were quite near
Spain and also long ways off from
the front. 1t was an old fashioned
town and was quite odd to us at
first but since we have almost
learned to be at home in such plac-
es.~The line we were building to-
wards the Fourth sof July was near
ing completion, and on that day the
French had quite a celebration in
which we took part. Nick was in an
other company but was located about
/ twenty miles distance from me, so
saw him cnce in a while. We all lik-
ed the officers and men both of the
4l6th and 1t was with the GREATEST
regrets we were separated from them
a couple months ago. Anyway, after
finishing that job an order came to
our major that he had been picked
for an important job in the vicinity
Of Chateau Thierry, the well known
part of the war, the driving back of
the enemy being the starting point
of the Americans achievements. So
we We're given gas masks and under
went stiff examination in the U S.
mask. We We're taken on hikes, and
after one was just about to drop
They are as torturous thing as one
would like to wear, some times you
think your lungs will burst, as at
times you get very little air and the
band that is around your head hin.
ders the circulation of blood greatly.
We all were bound to stand the test
SO we could 90. along and SO every
one passed We had very long
trip before us as we were quite near
Spain and no doubt you know where
Chatteau Thierry Is. The farthest
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

but they kept going back, back stead
| lily until you see now what has taken
place, but they were drove out OF
| France, not coaxed, and we were do.
| ing our part to the American army.
The infantry went ahead so fast it
was with great difficulty the artil-
lery could keep up with them, and
caused more than one fatality by-not
doing so.
The Boch planes were very bad too
doing much damage but they wen.
back nevertheless. Didn't see any
home town boys as l know their di.
vision was not up at that line, the
Rainbow surely did their part in
that battle one of the greatest bat.
ties OF, the war, when the world hung
in the balance. Well, there was times
when things didn't look very healthy
up there, and one little she'll drop
could have wiped our little bunch
out in one sweep. but our tent camn
was more or less camoufiaged in
what was once an apple orchard.
Many night l went to sleep and
the gun sounds rocking me to sleep.
and the rockets in the distance ser.
wing as lights, you know we had 4tb
OF July celebrations UP there most
every night. One soon gets used to
that but it was more than miser-
able when we had solid week of
rain, and could hardly find a dry
place to sleep, our tents were soak.
ed through as well as our ticks and
blankets, thems the days we earned
our money and made us long for our
beds SO far away at home. One line
we started on after the army was
stopped and we know well now whv
II was. as the army wasn't staying in
mat locality long. On that lob the
whole bunch would take gas masks
along every time and the ride in
trucks before starting to work would
sometimes be about twenty or TWEEN.
ty'five miles. Had the pleasure Of
going into Paris a couple times Al.
though at one time il wnsn.f -,
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20
Paris, and where our boys held them

Paris, and where our boys held them
and later drove them back, it being
the first drive that counted that the
Americans made, and where many
of our boys fell. AS l said before we
were TO build communication line
between Paris and Chaument. Well
We arrived up there on Sunday, July
the 1ith and that is the time the
fighting was just starting right. I'm
derstand we were running lines and
were not on the firing line, but were
in range of their guns all the time
we We're up there, and liable to air.
plane raids at any time. Our COM
pany and headquarters was camped
in pup tents and the rumble of the
guns at night being SO near the
ground we could hear the rumble to
better advantage. Every night was
the 4th of July up there, The sky
rockets which our armies used for
night signals We're going up inces-
sanity. There was much danger of
the water in our vicinity being pois-
oned and great care was exercised
at all time in that matter. We saw
all kinds of troops movements, and
although we were not shouldering
guns in the charge, we were liable
to be bumped off at most any time.
Paris was fifty two kilometres from
us and they were shooting over us
into there so you see how easy it
would have been to drop shot in
our camp at any time. When the
plans used to come over is when I
was the most uneasy, at one time
especially there were bunch of
bombing machines right over us and
believe me | was finding hole, but
they went on without bothering us,
but few nights afterwards, the vii
lage just below us was badly shelled.
Our fellows did some real fighting
up there. and many one fell never
to get up again. 1t was the Ameri.
cans who held them back and saved
Paris which they would surely have
reaehed II We had not heen ~ tinoa.
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

ten o'clock that night We were NOV
ing out to sea. Toward the midnight
hour our boat stopped quite a spell
and remained there for a period on
three hours, there being much signal
ing by lights, led us TO believe there
was trouble and no doubt there was
something in sight in the way of
submarines, which as you will know
were TO be expected at most any
minute at that time Anyway day
light found us well out at sea- The
weather was very warm when we
left the states but was rather cold
after getting out piece. We were
on large ship that the Germans had
prize for the submarine crew that
would sink her The crew told us
danger was TO be expected but we
were not borrowing any trouble and
Y enjoyed my first trip as if it were all
for pleasure. But one has to come
across on a soldiers transport to
know the terrible Inconvenience ow
ing to great numbers aboard and
the great problems of feeding us
and the total exterminating of lights
st night. 1t might not seem right but
the most strenuous hours of my past
experience was on that boat. About
three or four days out the guns on
our boat started and the alarm for
the RATS were given, which caused
no little anxiety and excitement
aboard. We heard there was some
thing floating that didn't look good
to the gunners, which was seen to
be hit. What those shots did no one
knows, but don't think they were
fired for nothing. Shots were re
peated day or so later l myself
being on guard in compartment
down below, and II was with Difficult
ty ! helped avoid panic and excite
nent. Our whole battalion was do
.ng guard duty over and our orders
were to stick to the post until al
wa out, which were we going te
10 at these times when thins
cooked bad, and one also has to ex
perieneq himself, the excitement O
IA submarine scare to know what
really SEEM. The balance of tho
trip was witi.ogt any more incidents
worth reading, bat after some days
land was seen and it was like see
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

Following is an interesting letter
received by Mr.. Joseph Haas, of
Wincnhester avenue, from his SON,
Joseph, Jr.. now in France:
Auray, France,
Nov %, 1918.
Dear Father:
Through the courtesy of the Off
eial part of the A. C. and the very
gratifying peace conditions the cen
.sor on this particular letter known
rs Dads Christmas letter from his
boy has been lifted and has given
rs chance to timber up our writing
finger, and memory of the foregoing
few months we have gone through,
needless to say which has been
been quite strenuous and beset with
hardships more or less with all who
have come across the seas to this
foreign land to take part in this
great worlds Many will never
come back to and, so dear to
them or will they be writing their
father this Christmas letter, but am
sure their fathers VIII find consola-
ton in the fact that they were the
real heroes Of this war and gave all
they could willingly Am not going
into detail as much as l would, as |
believe l could write a fair sized
book but will try TO give you a few
outlines Of my past career here in
France. OF courae the censor will
not allow 70 to discuss or write GER
tain subject so necessarily there
will be quite 4 bit of news for me to
tell when l get back home, which l
am looking forward to no matter how
long distant it may be if God will
be so good to me, as continued the
good fortune He has already given
me n this awful war which has al
r. brought sadness To many a
heart and home.
| left New York; as you no doubt
know about June 10th. We were an
packed to leave the rest camp ~
Long Island but was stopped fcw
days afterwards, learned that eleven
boats had been sunk off the Ameri-
can coast, and took it for a good rea-
son why we were held, the follow
ing Sunday we were loaded on the
. large boat at Hoboken and remain
ed there the whole day and about
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

ing fresh spring in the desert when
that welcome sound was heard, we
are almost in dock We unloaded
that evening, and with our full packs
the latter l must state amounts to
over forty pounds not counting our
overcoats which we lugged too, and
marched about four miles up hill all
the way. and ] really thought
would never make it as well as many
others Of my company, as we had
been on tina ship SO long and only a
Man in very fiji condition could car
:! a pack that far UP hill without be-
irg very much fatigued. We spent
three days at that seaport place,
in France oven in spring in pup tents
We had rain all three days and it
was with great difficulty and with
our overcoats and all our blankets
could we keep warm. They were
think | could ever stand anything
like that but the Lord was good to
me and was none the worse for the
exposure, which was very bad. From
there we were moved to Tours in
box cars which took two days and
one night, and no one can imagine
without riding a long distance in
these freak box cars what it is, es-
pecially when overcrowded and the
weather is cold. Arriving at Tours,
we were taken to a camp Just out
side the city, by the name of Camp
Roehembeau, and there we got rest.
ID up for a few days as we were
yery much in need of it. Was quite
interesting going around the city in
he evenings, this place being the
largest and best place was billeted
since being in France. Was at this
place aboJr one week and during
that time run across three home
town boys, the only ones | have saw
from home since being here AT the
end of the week our orders came for
our fellows to be sent to different
telegraph barracks and twenty some
OF US were to leave for Thiween, a
long distance, it being not far from
She border of Spain We were to
ioin the 416th battalion which
vas building a telegraph line. Was
more than gratified to know Nick
vas to go in the same bunch, also
atisied to know we were not to go
light up to the front. We had
most enjoyable trip down to Thiven
Tot speaking of getting lost, as we
lad to change cars three times, and
IS we were just over, not one of
is could speak French, so it was
With the greatest difficulty that we
yer found our place at Thiven. To-
wards night we arrived at our place
md was met by some of the 416 fell
lows, who we were very much at
iached to even from the start.
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

| pleasant as I was up looking the Elf
fel tower over, by the way is the tall
! est structure in the world and is
sure wonderful structure. Evident
ly the Germans were trying to hit
the tower that day with the Big
Berlin long range gun, as two fell
very uncomfortable close to where
| was, but the next time l went in
there was no shots at all, and if
you remember reading about them
capturing the big guns, this was
about two weeks before that time.
When we would ride in there on the
trucks the people surely gave us a
hand everywhere we went, as they
realized If no one else did the i'm
portant part the American boys
took in saving their city from the
Huns. 1t was when riding out of that
city that l first saw our great Cen
eral Pershing Well we were up there
about two months, and all my let
tiers headed zone of advance was
written from that region. We were
then moved near the coast where we
have been building the present line.
After about one months work the
4l6th was called to operate line
between Paris and ST. Nazaire and
all fellows who had been transfer
fered into that Btu was transferred
to the S12th Field Signal Bin. which
had just short time from then had
come across. Have got along alright
with them, but the weather condi'
ton was something awful all the
fall, we having worked day after
day in the rain and mud. and in
place by the name of Array in Brit.
tany. 1t is pretty place and like 1t
real well here. The people are quaint
in their fashions, and are real old
timey, but are very nice to us. Since
the armistice has been signed We
have been having lots of good times.
Yesterday had my picture taken with
some of the boys and couple OF
French soldiers, and some French
Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-20

Following is an interesting letter
received by Mr.. Joseph Haas, OF
Wincnhester avenue. from his son..
Joseph, Jr., now in France:
Auray, France,
The Irish standard., 1918-10-26

LOYALTY, then IS the issue in this campaign It
should be the controlling every contest wherein
fairly arises whether in national county municipal
offices. In the contest for the mayoralty the CITY
Minneapolis especially is the paramount ISSUE for Mr.
Van Lear stands out the party that
has adopted the platform quoted He has NOT RE
PUDIATED that PLATFORM he is still member of the
Socialist party though of leading adherents
not been able to stomach the strong treason
tanned in it, and have severed their connections with the
party But Van Lear still stands the burning
has the audacy the coming the votes
the fathers, brothers, and friends soldiers in the
trenches While these boys assembling in this CITY
for their perous journey to lover there he word
of cheerful greeting for them they came and no
sage of Godpeed for them at their departure He was
too much with Socasc politics to utter word
of gratitude confidence those about to Law
down their lives if need be (and of them done
500 for the preservation of America and world Mat
tiers Of greater Importance conceived the situation
must have been weighing heavily his mind though
the average American cannot be persuaded there
anything else all comparable weight with the matter
of the prosecution of the victory
Would these soldier boys consent to greeting
on their return from who could find time or in.
cnatlon to acclaim their departure and their mission
the battle lines 1t is nconcevable think that they
would be receptive to message coming one who
holds membership in party that their work as
ubiquitous"
Notwithstanding all the magnificent work that has been
done by the patriotic citizens of this metropolis of the
Northwest it cannot be said that have adequately DEM
onstrated Americansm until we have placed in the
mayoralty chair one hundred per American If Van
Lear is reelected the fact will be over the
as victory for Socialism disoyalty and in large
degree such victory would relegae the city the twilight
zone of patriotism, putting the same dubious status
as few other cities of the country whose company
ought not to relish. The returning soldiers would seek
other and more friendly communities The citizens of Min
neapos in spite of all that has been for the honor
and glory of the city, would be their heads
in shame and embarrassment because their failure to
redeem the city from the mputation of dsloyalty
j. E. Meyers is the candidate drafted at public
convention to win back the city from the
and it's concomitant evils. He is business man of ex
celent character who has been resident city for
more than quarter of century. His capacity for
important Office for which he is unques
tionabe His record has been Clean honorable and pro-
sressive He has been identified closely with all the public
that have from time time undertaken
for the public national But
above all he is a loyal, true blue Uncle Sam American
such all loyal American citizens glad to greet as
mayor, and such returning fighting be
glad to shake hands with Let the splendid loyal work
the city be crowned with the election of loyal
mayor!
The Irish standard., 1918-10-26
CHURCHLESS SUNDAYS SUGGEST THE
FAMILY ROSARY

October has been officially designated by the Church as
the season for especial devotion to the Holy Rosary
The great Pont Leo XIII has the Rosary the sub
ect of mastery encyccal in which emphasizes the
practice of the recital of the beads the most eff
cacous means of wardng off the evils times This
was written in $685. when the world as we survey it. in
retrospect seemed to have evils disturbances COM
parable with the tempestuous cataclysmic hap
penings of the The far-seeng Pontif never
TOOK occasion to the frequent the
Rosary prophyactc against and industrial
troubles which threatening the mankind at
that time
The prevalence of the influenza epidemic has necess
tated temporary suspension of public worship in the
churches and have doubt that many Catholic fam
lilies have already begun the practice substituting the
family prayers at home for the Sunday attendance
at mass At these family gatherings perhaps to be
permanently revived the principal devotional exercise will
naturally be the recital of concert as was
the custom in nearly all Catholic families the last gen.
erationte breach which conspicuous than
the observance.
What tender memories still cling around those devout
little gatherings recall the the beloved
ones who knelt in the holy Who may doubt the
fuhllmen in them of the divine promise the Divine
Savior was Himself of these devout
groups assembled in His name? What strengthening of
the household ties of mutual affection resulted from the
blending OF the voices of parents and children in united
appeal for divine grace and strength in the and
labors OF e Surely the humility and simplicity of these
pous deyoons were acceptable to the Father of
mankind.
But the attractions and conditions modern family life
have tended to the lapse of this pous and wholesome GUS
TOM Unhappy is the exception now rather than the
rule to find families in which it retains it's tenure
Like many other worthy and practices pre-
cedlng generation has fallen nnocuous desuetude
Under the stress of conditions many excellent
customs Coming back lives of the present
generation and none is deserving than the
family assemblage for the recital of the beads It NAV
well be that the churchess Sundays will have the effect
OF bringing back permanently many homes this BEAU
tful simple and eficacous form prayer which is the
OBJECT OF the special love of the Mother of God.
The Irish standard., 1918-10-26
CARDINAL MANNING'S FORECAST OF RE-
LECTION OF SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

In passages the writings and lectures If Car
dna Manning (whose death 1922 are to found
forecasts of what he in store for
the world result of the conflict the sovereignty
OF God and the rebellious will man. More than gen.
GRAFTON ago ne pointed out that in Germany but not
Germany aone) that religion had been made part of
legislation and of government-the inversion the divine
ORDER The consequences of this departure the
and truth of Christianity are among others the dssou
ton OF the bonds of civil society only by intrinsic
law of its being but by judicial sentence of
God himself "The nation and the kingdom that will not
serve Thee shall perish"
While the moral powers of such nations dm;nisb tho
material must be perpetualy increased-laws Of
coercion, penalties police and standing armies Brute
force is substituted for the of reason to
cure obedience to the civil powers
Even at the time the great Cardinal was speaking he
plores the threatening situation where five or six millions
OF men under arms in the heart of Christian Europe
looking in each others faces watching to see who on,d
make the first spring St. Paul. describing state of
men IN the last times they be faithess" the
word in the original the Cardinal points out meaning
men with whom you make treaties: "Aspondo {"
men IN whose fidelity you cannot trust with whom YOU
'an MAKE neltner convention nor truce whom inter-
national law, no respect of mutual rights can bind
One might easily conclude the following
that the great churchman was permitted vision If
lions of the present hour.
What treaty law obligation binding nations TO re-
spect the rights of weaker neighbors respected
Treaties bind interest intervene Compacts and
perish where there is hope extend from
tier or to province sacrlegiously to usurp
Guy. lhen IL Is sufficient to put the word through all
treates and all conventions The fruit of this manifest
danger of external the most horrible
which this world has seen and the conflicts
which were external become internal too spirit of
se Is poured out upon men; class against class
interest against interest," household against household man
against man, men against their rulers Against law against
authority In the shock and disorder contentious society
Is dissolved When the learn their power
the day come to it. From results one Of two
either the tyranny of multitude blind to every
tnng but the freaks and will for the iron
desposm of military dictator. Woe to the world when
the Legislator VII the mountain promulgated the eight
Deatitudes s,1 acknowledged the Law-giver and
Sovereign .i..L: rLeYa remains no+h,re 81. ~.
nations but the raging popular awlessness or
iron rule of despots"