The Washington herald., 1918-01-23
ANYBODY'S WAR
SAYS MEMBER
OF FOOD BODY
Edwin F. Trefz and Other.
Describe European Con-
ditions at Keith's

Wells which have shrouded war
conditions "over there"-especially
In France. England and Belgium
were cast aside for an audience
which taxed the capacity of the
Keith Theater last night. when four
members of the United States Food
Commission to France gave for the
first time their vivid impressions to
an American assemblage.
Everett Colby. of New Jersey, the
second speaker who told of condi-
tions In France. paid tribute to that
republic.
Tells of Devastation.
"TheD are portions of France and
Belgium" Mr. Colby said. which
will never yield another crop.
And unless the political soil of
Germany is scorched until it can never
again give root to those hideous Prus-
sian principles there will be no peace
in the world"
Edwin +. TrefZ, Kansas City news
paper man and field worker Of the
United States Chamber OF Commerce.
another member of the commission.
earnestly told his hearers that if l
were not an American ! should like
to be a Frenchman"
Mr.. Trefz received applause when
he reminded that we all can help by
believing, not criticizing" adding that
The present is certainly no time for
the anvil chorus"
He said that American boys In
France are being well fed and are
enjoying a pink tea party as COM
pared with the soldiers who were In
the Spanish American war. He also
reminded his hearers that the members
OF the commission were in a position
to speak authoritatively of such mat
tcrs. for they bunked with the SOL
dirrs while in France
The morale Of the men," Mr.. Trefz
declared. lis splendid The men are
eager to get in the night and after
their first ten-day stay in the
trenches yearn to get back on the
firing line
Il want you mothers, or others who
have dear ones in France. who are
present. to understand that If your
boy dies in France it is by the ordina-
ton of God. for hunlan hand and
mind has done everything in the
world for him that can be done"
Soldiers Well Fed.
Mr.. Trefz admitted that sleeping
conditions We're not of the best bur
declared that there was plenty OF
good food for all.
John b. Lord. of the United States
Food Administration, the first speak
er. confined his talk to conditions in
England. lie said when they first ar
rived they found women sweeping
the streets, taking railroad tickets,
carrying luggage. driving taxi cabs
and taking their husbands and broth
ers' places on the farms,
Describes Air Raid.
II thought hell had broke loose"
Mr.. Lord admitted, when we ex-
perienced our first aid raid"
Mr.. Lord said the Huns directed
their air raid activity to the poorer
sections of London in the hope of
crushing their spirit. but instead
he has stamped upon them the
knowledge that life will never
mean anything to them so long as
the Hun spirit lives.
Clarence r. Wilson, Federal Food
Administrator for the District, who
introduced the members of the COM
mission. read a letter from Presi-
dent Wilson expressing his regret
at not being able to be present "on
account of an engagement of long
standing"
District Food Administrator Will
son also read a portion of a letter
from the Italian A AMBASSADOR ask
ing that those present remember
that food conditions in Italy are
even more acute than either in
France or England.
Mr.. Colby caused much merriment
when he told of a picture he had
been shown of the Kaiser and Ted
dy" Roosevelt, talking to him with
both fists" underneath which was
written in the Kaisers own hand.
"Col. Roosevelt of the Rough Rid
ers telling the Kaiser how to train
his army"
Mr.. Trefz frankly told those pres
ent that today the war was "anybody's
war" and that America must bend
every effort in the direction Of food
conservation. working in perfect
harmony with those in control.
After motion pictures dealing
with Gen. Pershing's men in France
and the activities of the men in the
Kellogg, wife of DR.. kellogg, of the
Food Administration. urged that
every man and woman present take
the stories to heart and ask them
selves the all-serious question: