The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-05
A MAN WHO WENT AND SAW.
The Change In the Mind Of an Artist
Who Hated War.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir:: A
young man whom / have known from
his childhood is serving in the camou-
fage section Of the American Expedi-
tionary Force in France.
An artist by profession and tempera-
ment, for the first two years OF the
war, while the United States was neu-
trail. his attitude was that of utter re-
pugnance to the horror of war, without
stopping to disentangle the merits OF
the belligerents. He did not want to
see France suffer; he loved France a; but
neither did he want to see Germany
crushed; he did not want to see any
nation crushed"
His was the attitude OF many decent
people. He did not deny the stories
OF the Huns atrocities; he could not.
but still less could he believe them with
the belief Of realization. Like most OF
US, he was benumbcd with horror and
took refuge in a sort Of mental denial Of
facts.
Now he Is serving in the army. FroQp
dislike OF military discipline he has
become its adherent. From artistic and
humane shrinking from what war en-
tails he has been converted to- an in
tense desire for victory; he no longer
hesitates to wish for the complete con-
quest OF the Rgussian power for evil.
He is over there: he has seen and
known. He is a more convincing wit
ness for our cause than one who was
at first inclined to military means to
right the wrong.
Permit me to quote from a Letter re-
ceived from him this week. written be-
fore the September victories had como
to cheer the Allies, .yet after the Cha
teau Thierry and early August joy. He
says:
Since my arrival in France have seen
tho dogged determination of despair among
tho French turn to tho conviction OF ul-
Innate and complete victory. Militarism
was forced on the French and they have
become the finest soldiers in tho world.
They have never fought for conquest.
They wouldn't They hays never been
reyengeful. They have never been any,
thing but generous in their Interpretation
Of their cause and in their method Of
carrying It On.
They have refused TO stoop to conquer.
though tnht might nave ndlpe1 10 enc
things sooner. And now they begin 70
talk of victory! They were discouraged
last spring and It Is good to SEQ the
change. They have conducted themselves
with SO much finer spirit than the enemy
that the enemy has been beaten at his
own game.
1t has taken tremendous faith in
morality to do this in the face OF such
hideous examples of what a nation at war
can do. The German buEaboo frightened
some for a time, but the French know
its name now. and though II Is furious at
being discovered. like RumpeistlltslSin, It
raves and dances without avail.
The world already is a better place to
live in. II only those who made II better
could enjoy 1t! We are hopelessly in
not thank them. We have to sec to Il
build Is preserved now and for the time
to come.
Let US highly resolve that they shall
not have died In vain" I'VE have to
see to it that thu world they we're de-
stroyed to build is preserved now and
for the time to come" Thus Lincoln
and my young American soldier
The Fourth liberty Loan Is our PRES
emit opportunity to fulfil the hope OF
this splendid France 1t moved me
deeply 10 read in this letter OF her
awaking 70 hope. even to confidence
and in US!
Allow me TO offer this letter, hoping
that II may help TO urge others to send
TO our allies OF our abundance OF wealth.
We have given so much more in young
Americans like this one. and they too
call to us from their ever advancing
line DO send them on. on to the glorious
end. to the end OF the war and to the
end OF the tyrannous rule OF despotic
miltarism that murders with the sword
and poisons with the gas OF lies.
MARION AMEs TAGGARr.
PARADISE VALLEY, Pa, October 8.