Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-11
, chine gun trained on tho parcels depo,

by their own friends"
The people did not see In tho col
lapse of Russia tho forcrunner Of Eng
lands defeat. as the militarists had
hoped: They looked upon Russia as
they looked upon Austria. u milestone
on TIE neck OF the nation supporting
her. The Austrians were cannon
fodder. not lighting men.
When the proud German soldier of
lays past will collect the tins we
throw away that he might. by heating,
DO able to collect some grease for his
meal. who will say things arc we'll
with Germany?
When German guard will run the
risk OF fortress punishment for years
Tor the sake Of couple OF biscuits.
and when even death is risked in do
ing> favors for tin OF beef what can
tho state Of affairs be like?
Ihey see the spirit OF our men ever
the same. despite years OF imprison-
nent.
Our boys have suffered all kinds OF
fortunes rather than do work which
would give direct assistance to the
Germans in fighting their comrades
still in the line.
These men have fought the military
and the civilians in the neighborhood
81 rnuniton sheds and pits rather than
commence work.
They have been carried down the
round again. asked to work, but in
lace OF wounds and bruises they have
refused. and accepted torturing spells
on bread and water in dark cells and
cchiinemcnt in fortresses, where
cruelty runs riot, rather than forget
they were British.
II Is this spirit the German Is now
being brought to understand. He has
very little. Of 1t himself. crowd of
Geimant VIII show courage, but as a
rule Individually they have very little.
old men are now Joining the army
go that their families may enjoy the
extra ration. II man over age yolun-
teers. his family is allowed to draw
his rations as though he were at home.
Food is the passport to everything.
l rave seen children trampled under
foot Tor 1t. young girls are sacrificing
their honor for It. wealthy men are
Offering fabulous prices for it, soldiers
and sailors are ready to Inutiny and
face firing parties IL only they can
get food.
1t is now that the neutrals want to
keep close eye on our parcels For
the most simple thing man is pun
ished 10 the extent OF being deprived
OF his parcels. Now wrnout these our
men must starve, just as the Germans
are starving. and Just like we have
starved when they thought hunger
would break our spirits and cause US
TO submit to all kinds Of tasks.
1t must be borne In mind that the
wealthy and official classes are now
feeling the pinch. and to them our
parcels will prove a strong attraction.
The German gospel Is might. and
against our manned men that will be
exercised at all times when it is likely
to prove Of advantage TO the Germans.
They have been without alcohol in
their beer since May, 1916. They have
nj inn ha do i,h .l,;,
wine that burns the clothing should
spot drop on 1t. for two years-a
chemical wine, very intoxicating.
The cattle shortage Is alarming:
horses are very scarce; the dogs which
swarmed the towns and villages ap-
Motor cars are available only for
doctors and military officials, and
bicycles cannot be tired without they
arc being used for state purposes.
Coffee Is substituted by burnt barley;
bread is made from stuff like sand,
which is shoveled from trucks on rail-
way sidinGs into carts as though II
were gravel and never meant for
human consumption.
The doctors are go hard pressed
through the demands OF the people
who are rapidly degeneratinG. that
chemists apprentices are attending to
cases. These boys have operated on
treatment will be seen when the boys
como home.
Germany is on tho verge OF great
strife. The one thing to irritate a Ger
man soldier with when he asks. How
long do you think the war will last?"
TO answer Years." as we usually do
when we feel liz it.
You can always tell when our armies
have inflicted defeat on them. We
parade at in the morning. and before
We are out five minutes about a dozen
of our men are in clink for some i'm
aSinary breach. All along the line you
can hear the boys saying, Fritz has
had another smashing"
When the Germans are doing well
the guards are in good humor. Not
that they rejoice over their army's
success so much as the hope of some
thing great happening might prevent
them from being sent TO the firing line
They have tried starving us into
submission: they have kept US at all
kinds OF tasks: but the spirit remains
as IL was.
The people who stoned US and spat
at US In 1914 leave us alone, and re
serve their venom for their own mill
tary class.
have seen enough to convince me
that the war Is won.