The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-06-03

thought well of "Slim." Wen need them, Roy, for if this is to be a military victory we have few years more in France. Peace may come sooner because the German people may see the hopelessness of their case, but Fritz" is a good soldier and he is well entrenched now. Once he is driven back within the bound aries of Germany the game will be- come still harder. AS I say, peace may come soon, this year, perhaps, but it will not be a military vic tory I assure you.
 At last America is awake. We look for much over here, and now we are beginning to get it. Soon we shall be a real power, and then we shall be doing what we should have done long ago. Until you have seen the conditions of those towns which were crushed under the steel heel of Prussian militarism you can hardly understand what mean. There is one town in particular, the name of which cannot mention, that in peace times is prosperous little city of industrious French peasants. It's population was prob ably 12.000. Not single building was left intact. As the retreating Hun was forced to withdraw he hastily assembled all the women and children and drove them into the church in the heart of the town. The French were notified that to fire meant death to those women and children and under the black. ness of night the brave women sent little boy to French outpost with a message which begged the French commander to open fire even If all in the church must die Near that church are 26 little mounds of Frances soil that Is red with the blood of her peasant women and l saw with my own eyes woman who had lived through 1t and heard her recite the tales of German atroc- ities that made me shudder.
 We are not fearful of the outcome The question is when will it end We who have seen the bravery of the French and British. who have felt" the wonderful morale of Frances army and civilian popula. ton know that that spirit can never be conquered. It must have been similar spirit that in 1776 won us our independence. France is giv- ing her all, God bless her, giving it cheerfully. We must do likewise.
 My youngest brother and my brother-in-law are in it. Mother is proudly waving her 3-star service flag and her first born is once more a member of the family
 New York was good to me, Roy, and have no fears for the future may visit Fairbanks again-in fact l want to but it does not seem as if I shall settle there again. Some Alaskan papers that Mic" sent me show me that the booze" fight is still on. In one of your four minute talks, Roy, tell them for me that anyone who questions the good faith of our allies questions the honor of our country. Beer and wines and Cigarettes are as neces- sary to victory and success as bull lets. I know, it's not theory with me, and I'm glad that Alaska is dry, but better thousand times a rum soaked patriotic citizen than a dry" sober one who belittles and bellies the very men who have given and are giving their lives that civili- zation may not be set back to the days of continual drunkenness and debauchery-the Englishmen. Don't let anyone argue with you-our al lies are with us body and soul and one of the first lessons we must learn is that we have a. whole lot of improving to do at home without coming 5000 miles away to criticise our brothers.in-arms.
 Give my very kindest to Dick Wood. Tell him that the French banking system is awful. The main bank here has a piano in the main office and was dropping pennies In the slot while waiting to get my paycheck cashed. When they gave me my money found l owed the bank three cents. That's high fin. ance.
 , To all the oldtimers send my best
 Write me whenever you can. I'll probably shoot you letter every now and then. but it's all up to Fritz" He'll have to show more than he has shown so far. Roy. or you and will sit in old New York some fine day and talk over the days when we were younger and more foolish.
 My best to Dick Thorne and all