Milford chronicle., 1918-08-23

wounded pass thru here on the way TO
the hospitals. l take out large boxes
of cigarettes and give them TO those
who are wounded I get permission
from the Y. authorities to give Gig
arettes to all the American wounded
soldiers. | hear from those wounded
just what the real war is like: The
papers never tell half of what a real
battle is like, nor report the wounded
or killed OF course a large number
Of our Americans are being killed.
but the wounded soldiers tell me that
the Americans are killing about ten
Germans for every American killed
All the papers over here are now
praising the American soldiers for
their heroic fighting. The news this
morning is very encouraging Every
where the Germans are checked and
are losing heavily. A great many
people believe that this is the final
offensive; that in a very few months
the war will end, and end about as
suddenly as it began. ! also believe
that We will be home by Christmas, if
not before
Well, l read in the papers that the
whole of the United States is likely
Nb 81 nA NE4 , EAUl Alh Ul AludLAAN UE-
cause the coal miners are drinking so
much that they are failing to supply
the coal for war purposes. 1t will be
wonderful thing for the whole coun-
try if it does go dry. The one curse
OF this country is the booze problem.
OF course we dare not criticize. be-
cause we are in their country, but
nearly every man. woman and little
child in France drinks wine, beer and
their other drinks Possibly one re-
suit Of this war will be the agitation
OF temperance in Europe, for all the
other countries are the same as
France.
Mother, you asked me if I needed
any thing. I am glad to say that I
have everything that l need and do
not lack for any necessary thing.
am eating with the soldiers here, and
we have plenty. OF course it is not
home, but it is good enough for any
one especially while we are in war,
and have to share the hardships to-
gether. l do not spend much more
than is necessary, so am able to save
little out of my salary so that
will not be entirely broke when the
war is over for / will want to carry
back a large number of presents for
the family. So please do not worry
about my welfare; l am enjoying the
very best of health all the time. I
have all that is needed to get along
on. / am not in any danger from
air raids now, nor the bombardment, /
and am rendering a very necessary
service to our soldiers And what is
more, l have no church gossip to
bother me nor official board or back
salary, so that all things considered
/ am very fortunate in being over
here, and at this particular place. L
am near Paris. so that l run in every
other day, as it costs only five cents
on the train and takes only ten min /
utes time.
Well, I hope that you have heard I
from Fred since he has been in the
training camp and that he likes it
and his health is improving. The
training in the camp will be the very
thing he needs to develop his body.
| do not think that he will ever be
sent over here, for the war will prob
ably be over before he will have been
IN the camp three months; also since
he has trouble with his head they will
not send him into the trenches. There
are so many other forms Of war SER
wee where he could serve and where
hey need men. Please do not worry
about his getting ever here and be-
ng killed. am very anxious to hear
rom him, as he said that he would