The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-29

less, WINE IIlS Il bls ~. a. mas nun
dreds Of branches or huts at many
centers and two in the front line, the
Salvation Army has an equal num-
Der at the front and devotes its whole
attention to the front lines.
You have wondered what becomes
Of all the socks and bandages and
bed clothes and pajanas. They are
used beyond question. I'll tell you
more Of that in another letter. But
some mother or sister or sweetheart
or wife made the pajamas that some
body's boy was given when, battle
SCARED, he came into this or another
hospital. II some mother had not
worked so hard, there would have
been no pajamas. After sleeping in
underwear, mayhap with all clothes
on for weeks and months--Ah!
Mothers, 1t ia a feeling beyond de-
scription to once again enjoy some
thing Of the comforts Of home.
And now mother and mothers, here
is the message the boys "over here
want sent back over there. Cheer
up and write often, but don't worry
You wouldn't want q boy who was
q coward, and you, Heaven forbid, are
not a splneless pacifst who has no
loyalty. CT course you didn't want
,
but you almost, secretly to yourself,
Of course, would have resented bring
ing into this world q thing which
was not prepared and willing to sac
rifice himself for you. It is for you,
you know.
This Is your war as much at it is
the right and duty Of the young men
Of America. They are fighting for
your sake and for the sake Of the
children of the world, yet to he
mothered.
Stories Of German atrocities, lies
are they2 You cannot tell that to
American soldiers, who have talked
with or seen the refugees from the
devastated territories. Everyfresh bit
Of knowledge, every new experience
proves more and more the need Of
protecting civlli2atton-and mother.
Reused to fever heat resentment,
are these boys Of yours. They think,
suppose it had been my mother or
my sister, yes, or father2" and fight
the harder.
And then there is another thing.
too. France has for years been the
playground Of Europe. With saloons
or cafes that know no time but the
will Of patrons, with other things
or roue, it is not immoral as a ma
ton, but Immoral.
In some Of the smaller towns now
under American rule, cafes are open
from 1890 to IL noon and 500 to
500 in the evening. In this town
there are no such restrictions al
though there are approximately l.
800 American soldiers here.
France will judge all Americans
and America by your actions" Is the
simple sign in the hallway of this
one hospital. Men are allowed to
leave the building from l to 8 and 6
to each afternoon and evening.
1t is all that is necessary. have
been in the big city for ten days and
have yet to see an American SOL
der intoxicated, although they have
every opportunity to paint the town
red"
Pride Of naturalization has turned
the trick where ironbound rules would
be resented and broken just because
Of the fact that something was for
hidden.
And so mothers, back here, your
boy is doing pretty nearly what you
would have him do. He has changed
from a, pleasure loving care-free,
chap into q strong minded
man; into a man who fully appre
Ciates the seriousness OF his task,
though he speaks only Of lighter
things; into man, all American, who
at least what he is fight
ing for; a man with glorious pur-
pose.
Yes, he would like to be home on
Mothers day and all that, but to
not until his mother, the
future mother Of his own children,
and all future mothers are assured
Of an unmolested right to live in a
security which never can be ravaged
by the Hun devils.
And as his mother, he knows you
want him to do that work, and in
behalf Of you and all Womanhood
avenge the unspeakable things suf-
fered by the mothers Of Belgium.
And now the Mothers day Sunday
is being observed in every camp in
France, in the services conducted by
the regimental chaplains, in the Y.
M. C. A, in hospitals, with appro- |
pirate programs; and it has brought |
memories Of many things, cherished |
days Of long ago. he writes you, |
tries to tell you in mere |
words of how much he loves you; and |
though his heart may ache a little |
and the day brings pangs of home
sickness he sends his love on this |
day and-as for the chap whose |
mother has gone BEFORE why he too |
sends his love to the brave mothers |
Of others, who have made it easier |
for him, too.
1t can't last forever, this war and |
we all are anxious to get home to |
mother and dad.