Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-17
'GERMANS NOT
FIGHTERS, CAPTURED
THEY PLEAD MERCY
WALTER HOFFMAN VISITS YER
SAILLES, THE PALACE OF THE
OLD FRENCH KINGS
Somewhere, in France"
March, 10, 1918.

marcn ID, 1910.
My Dear Mother:
Today has been rather drizzly day
but the work goes on just he same.
Two weeks ago when wrote you we
were walking around IN the snow and
mud and the hob-nailed shoes came in
very handy. The climate here is a
little warmer than at home.
Tell Art Strong he don't know what
an experience he's missing. He'd soon
| join if he got good look at a few
they come "over the top" or the Allies
make an attack the Germans plead
not to be bayoneted or shot, and offer
anything they have in their posses
sion to be saved.
At times / think we will be home
soon and then again / think different.
We can't tell as no one knows (only
the kaiser) when he throws up his
hands to reason, thereswill be more
chance to figure.
have been in three air raids.
don't care for any more. No, it is
not like the Fourth of July-worse
many times.
There is not day passes but what
think of dear old America-and all
the folks at home. I'm in a good
crowd Of boys and the officers are the
finest kind Of men and all are full or
pep" which keeps fellow from get
ting lonesome most of the time.
l want to visit few more interest
ing places in Paris and nearby. I
would like to visit Monte Carlo before
/ return home. /,
Last Sunday crowd of us BOYS
visited Versailles. suppose you re-
member that city in history. Its the
old palace. Of the king and queen of
France, which was occupied during
the time of Napoleon, but, of course.
IT is now relic, although we'll cared
for and everything is in it's proper
place. The interior is beautiful. The
most costly paintings in the world
decorate this palace. The place has
not been occupied since the last king
forty years ago. The council cham
Der is used every seven years during
the inauguration of the President.
which occurs only one i'm that time.
This trip is certainly worth thou
sands of dollars to me. And | only
wish you could see it. too, mother.
l forget to mention that we started
sball team. Last Saturday we had
our first game. 1t tickled the French
people to see US hit ball or catch
one and run around the bases, They
enjoyed tt as much as we did, /
imagine.
Last week we had quite an enter
tainment--Elsie Janis, movie star,
was at our camp and recited few
poems, sang and danced. Also some
very good music.
l am certainly learning the French
rn 1olr
fast-but what | get | remember and
other things come easy with it. Can
understand one much easier. | sup
pose your son will be a regular
Frenchman by the time he gets home.
| would be glad to hear from any
of the boys or girls. Letters are
valuable here. That is. the. only dir
ect news we receive of the home folks. /
although the papers have quite a lit
tie, but not the things we long Ia
hear about.
My health has been fine and | be- |
lieve from the way the boys talk | |
am somewhat heavier. Just how
heavy / do not know.
Write me just as often as you can.
mother, as nothing inthe world cheers /
me up so much as a lettersfrom moth /
or. | have looked every day for the /
past month for a letter from you-and
not one or even heard from any one |
else. Remember me to- all the fell
lows. Love and kisses,
Your loving son.
Walter.
Walter Elton Hoffman, $50 Aero
Squadron, American f. F., via New
York.
Mrs. Luck has written every week
and mostly twice a week ever since
ne has been over there.