The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-15
I'M A PARIS RAID "Y" IS ON THE JOB
Topekan Says Mystery Gun Workers Praised for Many
Little Damage. Deeds of Herosm.
g. Pinney Writes impress They Minister to Soldiers Right
sions of the War. Firing Lines.
MORALE OF FRENCH STROne| MANY HUTS ARE WRECKED
He Germans Failing individuals Praised for Their
in All Efforts Devotion to Duty.
Home Folk About Sister. Doing
Topekan Says Mystery Gun
Does Little Damage.
C. g. Pinney Writes impress
SiOns of the War.
MORALE OF FRENCH STRONG
He Says Germans Are Failing
in All Efforts.
Home Folk Know More About
War Than Soldiers.

A letter from c. @. Pinney, a To-
peka boy who Is experimenting the
erection of locomotives in France, has
been received by F. w. Thomas, super
Fe in Topeka. The letter. which il
quite a lengthy one. while not reveal
ing any of the actions of the Ameri-
can forces overseas, expresses the writ
er's opinion Of the war quite freely.
Pinney ventures to say that the
home folks receive more detailed in
formation regarding the war than the
boys In France, because, he says, the
newspapers there are mere two-sheet
affairs. owing to the scarcity of paper,
and the lack of help in printing them.
There Ii no doubt" says the letter,
but that the Germans have gained
same ground. supplies, guns and prfs-
oners in this great offensive. but the
real thing they wished to gain IL
farther off than ever. namely, the sep
arating of the British and French
armies and the overpowering defeat
Of the British army. What he has
gained is hardly worth the price he
has paid in casualties, and instead of
separating the British and French, he
has brought the whole of the allied
armies under one commander and at
present you will find British, French,
italian and American troops fight
ing side by side in perfect accord"
Morale Is High.
Pinney declares the spirit of the
people to be higher than ever now
and that the morale of the troops ID
perfect. He says that during the first
week or ten days Of the big offensive
he csuld hear the French on all sides
saying: They will not pass" AS for
the mystery gun" or big Bertha,
as it has been christened by the Pari-
siany, Pinney declares that it is mere
ly a freak and of no military value
and that altho the Germans probably
thought Its moral effect would be to
their advantage, it is really quite The
contrary, making the French all the
more determined to fight until such
q menace is wiped off the face Of the
earth.
IT was in Paris one day." says Pin
ney, some three or four weeks age
during a bombardment by the Zig
Bertha but business and pleasure was
going on as usual. All Paris is highly
amused by the stories circulated in
Germany concerning the damage done
and the reign of terror that Is sup
posed to exist. Paris has undoubtedly
suffered some damage and some peo-
pie who had no reason to remain
there have left, but II the Germans
think they can prey on the morale Of
the French people with such barbarfty
they have another think coming
Parisians say the Big Bertha is max
ing faPmore noise in Germany than
in France"
Pinneys home Is at AS Adams
street. He served his apprenticeship
in the Santa Fee shops here and be-
cause of his excellent work was as
signed to a special course IN the shops
of the Baldwin Locomotive company
at Philadelphia. The officers there
were SO favorably impressed with his
work that he was sent to France to
superintend the erection Of war loco
motives built by the Baldwin works
He is now engaged In this work.