Newport daily independent., 1918-04-03


 in the building listened intently and interestedly to the masterful descrip- tive address and appeal of Major lMassie, member of the Canadian ex- peditionary forces, who won distinc- tion and shed blood for his country during the progress of many battles on the western front. Never before had the people of Newport and sur rounding community been given ad- ] vantage of contact with one personal ly able and authorized to give in detail conditions that exist on the battle front, where Jackson county boys probably are now located, and it is a matter of regret that building more spacious was not available to give the many persons who sought admittance to the overcrowded court room the opportunity to enjoy this unparalleled treat.
 All of us have read of what has oc- cured in Belgium and France, all of us have read of the duplicity and the treachery of the despicable hun, and most of us have heard these stories related, but few had ever before heard these things from the lips of a man who has seen what he told, and the picture which Major Massie drew of the German in battle, in the hos pital and everywhere was none the less impressive nor did it fall short of depicting his heralded campaign of barbarism. He told of the hun shoot ing in the back his foe who had cap- tured him. He told of the hun she'll ing hospitals, killing stretcher bear CTS, wrecking hosptal wagons filled with wounded. insulting Red Cross nurses and attacking them while they were mercifully administering to their wounds.
 When the war broke out in 1914 conditions in Canada, the Major said, were very much the same as obtain now in the United States People there went about their business, ac- cepted their happy lot in life, oblivi- ous to the fact for long time that Canada really had a part to play in the great conflict. Before long the ] Canadian expeditionary force went over there. Soon afterwards the casualty list came in. It contained the names of brothers and sons-killed. Canada did not hesitate. Like flash of lightning from clear sky came the realization that the war in Europe was Canada's war, and that she had a part to play.
 Thousands of aroused Canadians flocked to the colors. Many hundreds, like Major Massie, who was promi- nent merchant and man of affairs at Toronto, laid aside their pleasures and went to the front. That happen ed in Canada when the casualty list came in.
 Since that time Canada has under gone a change. The Canadians who cannot fight have gone to work. Women and girls have taken the places of their brothers, fathers and I usbands in the munitions plants and elsewhere. Hundreds of miles of Canadian railways hava been torn asunder in order that rails might be | L c.. 41a raI,1il 1irnOr of railroads.
 l "You people here do not know you are at war" When Major Massie made this exclamation he delivered a heavy blow on the table with his fist. "But when the casualty list reaches your town you will know it just like we of Canada found it out"
 ~The fate of the war lies with the United States" the major said. You must do something and do it quick" He hit the table again.
 Major Massie told of the anxiety with which the men at the front look ed toward home for assistance and encouragement. He said that when the men knew the people back home were backing them up they did not mind going over the top with their whole and energy and heart in the business.
 "If they know you are sending an- other man to take every mans place who falls they do their work with greater diligence"
 The major said it was time for peo- pie to quit talking so damn much and do something.
 'Tt's disgusting to we men over there to hear that you are doing your | bit Damn your bit, do your utmost" And the major again struck the table