The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-22
Lieut.. f. ID. KeiImann. Home
Again, Tells of Allied Spirit.
Americans in France COntented
and Well Cared For.
FULL OF AMERICAN ENERGY
TOpekan Doesn't Expect End
To Come This Year.
But just the Same "Big
Things" Are Being Planned.

Ask Frenchman how long before
the war will end and he'll say. Mon
sieur. the war is longl" An English
man will say. II don't give a d.
We are going to wini" That is Lieut..
E. D. Keilmann's impression of the
spirit of France and Great Britain in
the ar
Lieutenant Keilmann, a former Tope-
ka newspaper man, arrived at his
home. sos East Tenth street. today di-
rect from France. where he has been a
member of the American expeditions
airy forces. He returns home because
of physical disa bility suffered while
on duty in France.
mo real man who has been over
there and has seen even the little I
have will ever be content on this side
while the argument over there is un-
settled" he said. Il wish / could say
what 1 want to about some of the
things 7 have seen and heard but I
can't.
This desire to be one of the factors
in the accomplishment of the allied
aims, is not my own but it is the feel
ing of every one of the boys across the
pond. There is not one of them but
who envied me in that l was to sec
the Goddess of Liberty again. but
there was not one of them who envied
me in that was going to be absent
for the ninth inning
Speak of America
America means lots more to the
young American who is in France than
| 1t ever did before. My regiment was
made up of young fellows from every
part of the United States (three OF
them besides myself, from Kansas)
but they don't speak of returning to
Kansas, Alabama or New York They
speak of back in America
Are they happy? They are busy
| They are full of American energy that
| calls for an outlet. Their officers and
1 the Y. NJ. C. A. are furnishing the out
let's They don't have any moping
| hours. In times of peace the Amerf-
can soldier has always been one of
the worst grumblers in the world
There is no grumbling in the A. E. p
| forces-except when the mails7 are
slow.
Food is plentiful mean it and
am not saying it just to reassure. The
men are housed well and clothing is
now coming regularly. During their
daytime hours the boys are kept busy
with the guns and the work pertaining
to the railway artillery. The evenings
are filled with entertainments of all
sorts at the Red Triangle club CY. NJ.
| c. Al. They go to bed every night
ready for sleep. and they do sleep. too.
I've had a mighty hard time getting
| them out some cold mornings for
/ reveille.
Spirit of Allies.
when will the war end?
| IF 1 knew I'd sell the secret. There
are several million people would pay
| ten cents a piece for the information
| But seriously. 1 really don't expect
| anything this year. There are some
big things planned, but there's many
| a slip you know. - a Frenchman
that question as to uration of the
conflict and he will. say Monsieur.
, the war is long. Ask Tommy and
| he will say, I don't give a d. We
| are going to win
why am 1 back? To see Lucy
Jane, the recruit in the family? No,
/ that was not the reason THEY al
lowed me to make the trip thru the
! submarine zone again. THEY did not
like the way / solved problems in
spherical trig for one thing. and then.
too, they did not like the sound of the
| wheeze in my bellows.
81 know you are all anxious to
know about the boys and what they
| are doing but. please. I have been
travelling on land and water for the
past five weeks and am awfu1ly tired
Give me a day or two to get my wits
together and / can give you some