The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1918-04-18
WILLAMETTE BOYS
ARE MAKING GOOD

willamette University boys in France
are making noteworthy record for
their morale and ability.
So reports Carl e. DOney. president
Of the university, in a letter to Amedee
NJ. Smith. one of the regents Of the
university. who i also president Of the
executive committee Of the Portland
Chapter of the American Red Cross.
DR.. Doney is in France TO tell the
French soldiers what America wants
and why America is in the war. He
will then tell the American soldier the
viewpoint of the pOilu. His letter 10
Mr.. Smith follows:
For almost a month i have been on
French soil. two weeks of which were
spent in Paris. During that time |
was being instructed. was conferring
about the work and doing some speak
ing. Nearly two weeks have been
passed in the base section, where |
have been going from camp to camp to
give addresses. What have seen and
heard already would make a book, and
there is enough in the experience to
thrill the dullest soul.
Could the people of America know
what Uncle Sam has done and is doing
here they would not only be patient.
but become Oenthusiatie. | am in
formed that in some essential features
our men have already aceompl ished
more in the past nine months than
France ever did achieve. 1t is prepar-
atory, necessary, but not spectacular
and does not get into print. do not
know how many men are here. hut
there are enough to surprise the States
when the figures may be known. And
they are coming while the U-boats
dodge and hide.
France is far from being hungry and
is not bled white. She is tired and
would welcome peace, but the spirit of
the people is high and determined.
The cost of food is high and about the
same as IN America, perhaps trit1e
greater, but that is much more than it
is in peace times. One sees mourning
everywhere, but there is no weeping
The women have the far-away. medi-
tears. Of course, there is JOY also; the
French nature turns quickly to pleas
ure, and the theatres are open, parks
filled and some sports in vogue.
II am amazed at what the ''Y'' is
doing, at the demands made upon it
and at the welcome it receives. The
war would be radically different with
out it the morale of the men could not
be as it is. have been in over 20
huts, all busy places where the men
crowd at night to read, write, listen
to music and addresses and generally
pull themselves together The can
teens are also connected with the "Y"
and managed by the secretaries. Here
the men buy tobacco. candy, nuts, gum
and score of things made in U. S.
| have given about two dozen adj
dresses and never spoke to audiences
more attentive or appreciative. 1t is
touching to note the real hunger of the
Sc ldierS for straightforward talk.
One morning | was called from bed at
$50 to speak to a copmany before the
men went to work. One night ] spoke
for nearly an hour to 300 men who
stood in darkness on "a lumber dock.
A surprising proportion of the soldiers
are college graduates, fine and up
standing men.
1 nave iICl ildll q uuLtll w
boys, and they are making a note
worthy record for their morale and
ability. Soon | expect to go where
the others are located. You may i'm
agine that they were rather glad to
see me and | not less so to see them.
The streets are patroled by I. S.
soldiers and open soliciting is checked.
1t Will be still further reduced as GER
tain streets and section are wholly for
hidden to the man in uniform. Wine
and clgarets take their toll, but most
of the men are standing out against
them, like heroes, except that practic
ally everyone smokes.
Next week | am to leave this section
and go into French base for month.
There am to live with the soldier, try
to tell him about the American soldier.
what America wants, etc, and then
| shall take up work with our men
again, seeking to tell them something
of the French viewpoint. 1t is an ex-
ceptlonal opportunity given me and |
am only anxious about being able to
meet it.
am cared for WELL have food and
comfort aplenty. The officers are kind
and thus far have allowed me to see
everything. count myself fortunate
beyond anV other "Y'' man in France.