The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-15
SOLDIER TELLS
0FTRENCH LIFE
AT THE 'FRONT.'
Major, X. B. Ferguson Addresses {
Large Red Cross Rally In the
High School Gymnasium
Tuesday Evening.

comments heard following Major X.
ing for many months in the Royal
British artillery, was invaded home
on account of injury.
The major spoke to a large and en-
thusiastic gathering in the high school
gymnasium Tuesday evening in the
interest of Red Cross work The high
school orchestra and Elks quartette
contributed largely to the success Of
the evening. Rev. F. H. Eggers pre-
sided at the meeting. Mrs. j. G. Con-
way spoke on Child Welfare work
preceding the principal speaker. The
Red Cross flags. One flag in particular
attracted a lot of attention 1t ista
white square with letter in red Com
mission Belgium Relief Rotterdam"
and is one of three in the United
States. The meeting was opened with
America" At the conclusion the
Star Spangled Banner" was sung.
Major FergusOn's Address.
1.-THE war is teaching us two things
First, that all the time we are think
ing Of the men at the front Second,
the war is bringing us a strong inter
est in each other" said the Major.
The major stated that though he
had been but two weeks in this coun-
try he had got to know the American
people only through contact. Some
way the different nationalities are
brought together at the 'front.'" he
said.
In 1914 small army was sent to
France to fight with the enemy $780,
600 men, which the Germans desig-
mated the contemplate army. OF that
number 100000 were killed and
manned in the first few months of
battle. They got killed but were
never beaten" said the Major
The speaker then described Great
Britain as small nation which would
be covered up were Texas placed over
it. In the first week of the war Eng
land had 175,000 men under arms. The
first month 100000. Then came Lord
kitchener's call in the summer; g.
100000 men under arms in the fall
was the result, and in 1917, 5000, 900
men had responded and are now
fighting on one of the thirteen fronts
Canada with a population of 100000,
furnished 100000 men, Australia with
a population of 100000 furnished
100000 men. New Zealand, South At
RIGA, India and Indian provinces fur
nished men until England has in the
field 100000 men. These numbers
are fighting men. They do not repre-
sent the vast number engaged in the
manufacture of munitions. For every
$50 are now being manufactured More
shells are now made in one day than
during the whole first year of the
war. Not only men but women and
girls have their shoulders to the
wheel helping things along.
Nov for the silent scorned navy"
said the Major. He then explained in
clear, concise manner how neces-
sary this department was to protect
the shores of our country and admon-
ished all to think of the navy what
they think of the army.
In explaining why he had told OF
| what the English people were doing
he said it was not bOasting, but plain
| facts and to tell the people of this
| country the effort being made to helI
the work along
1.-THE glory of the French speaks fol-
itself and needs no eulogy on my
part" he said.
! The speaker then described trench
life, speaking highly of the infantry
| that occupies the front line trench
probably ten yards to two hundred
yards from the enemy lines, zigzagg
ing along the front so that allied avia
tors cannot tell the enemy from thei
own lines. Sap lines or tunnels ar
thrown out into no mans land in al
effort to blow up their enemies.
The sniper comes in for his share
Telling of its hardships lying out il
no mans land in hollow trench jus
deep enough to conceal him, an
waiting for a chance to kill the -un
wary. The life of sniper is ten day
He told of his battery being sta
toned near Ypres in which once ha
been a village, but which now was
level plain with shell holes every
where. His battery was stationed a
the side Of road where all supple
were brought up and which was COL
, stantly exposed to shell fire. He re
counted several of the casualties an
described a big gun which thre,
shells over into his territory weigh
ing $50 pounds.
In concluding he voiced an appes
that all should help the Red Cross j
the coming drive. When the Red eros
drive is started next week, call upo
o you as representative of the figthin
forces on the front to put your han
deeulp in your pocket and give all yC
can. AS noble as your spirit may b
. as noble your work, there is nothiI
!. that you can do that is too good fl
!. the boys at the 'front.'" he conclude
!: Rev. F. II. Eggers.
( In speaking, Rev. F. H. Eggers, wi
!. presided at the meeting, said Il
: crowd was prophetic of the succe
!. the drive next week will have. TT
: meeting, he stated, was prelimina
: to prepare ourselves for greater a
! tivity in the coming campaign to he
: ameliOrate suffering humanity" sa