Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-11-15

Politicians may talk and argue,
cranks may berste, and the skeptical
may condemn Wilson and Baker, but
over here where men are tried, you
would find that every man is back Of
those two men to the limit. If you
could understand what an enormous
thing this war is, what vast quantities
of supplies are needed, and then could
see how wonderfully equipped and sup.
piled the men are, you too would agree
that Baker has done his job we'll"
''Can you picture a village a little
larger than Spillville, but located just
like it, set down among the hills with
the church spire looming up against the
wooded horizon? Then add to that pic
ture, q few low, long wooden huts, and
in the very end of one, right on the
edge of the village, you will see me sit
ting at my little home. made desk, writ
ing this letter. +s|
My bed roll is fiat on the floor, and
my washstand is a pile of rocks outside
the door. That sounds like bunch of
hard luck, but we are really very COM
Portable, few of the ''necessaries'' of
life are lacking. such as electric lights.
running water, ETC., but one does not
miss them so much. 1t is all useless
to argue about Improvements, so we
are becoming quite acclimated to these
things, and one does not mind it in the
least. We are indeed happy and con-
tented, and would not trade places
With any General who has to stay in
America. Big things are done over
here, and we are going to sea them.
You have never seen long columns of
troops on the night march, under
pale moonlight, passing almost noise
lessly, save for the hob.nails as they
strike the rocks, and the rattle and
rumble of wagons and the whir Of
motors. Overhead, aeroplanes darting
here and there, higa up among the
clouds. with some 80 low one could al
most reach up to them Huge cannon,
medium sized guns, and little. one
FOUNDERS, everything camoflaged. and
all going to or re urning from the
front. Train load after train load of
supplies, whistles screeching and
screaming, and then a smooth running,
quiet train comes back from the front.
with the old familiar Red Cross on the
side, bringing back the wounded. It
is all wonderful and enhancing, but
one does not get the same sensation as
circus creates; there everything is
mechanical, the same thing day after
day, and we stand in awe at its mag
nifcence, and its wonderful organiza-
ton. But here, while the enormity
and magnitude enthralls US, yet it is
the human element which holds US
spellbound. Men going into the jaws
of Death, and defying the deadliest
weapons the human mind has been able
to devise, and doing it 80 care-free and
so willingly. One would think ehey
were ignorant of their destination, but
they have no cause to fear or be fear.
full, they know that their mission is
but to re- enact the Crusades, and as
Crusaders of old they have buckleu on
their armor and are going forth to
Victory, and Victory they will have. as
proved in this last drive. And the
Germans said St Mihiel could never be
taken! just one little drive and it fell
like Humpty Dumpty lis that correct
spelling? l must review my kinder
garten work some day.
We just read Wilson's reply to Aus.
tria' s proposal and he surely must have
read the minds of the men over here.
We want complete victory. and we
promise it very soon.
And now have good news for you,
l expect to see Denis soon. He is To-
Gated just short distance from here,
aud expect to get oyer there within q
week or so. l surely will be glad to
see him, and know the feeling will be
mutual.
Of course we have not received any
mail yet, and probably will not for some
little time, but believe me I am hun
cry for word from home. It surely
means lot to US, so many miles away,
to hear the latest news.
1t is mess time, and although have
suffered many changes, yet l still re-
tain ravenous appetite. Grub is ex-
cellent, but would like some regular
old raised doughnurs and coffee, and
I'll be eating them with you just as
soon as the Kaiser yeils "Kamerad.