The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-06-01

ASVVNVhvo VV' 'st~ ~
knew Il was so. The German official
announcement had been made. He had
seen pictures OF 1t,
The British fleet was gone, too. Bah
That was at the bottom OF the sea
There was no British fleet
We listened with more or le" pa
tiencc to such romaneings. Al iirn
we hardly thought them serious, then
we realized that the poor fools were ae-
tually rationed on such tales
What Did Thev Fight Fori
Listening TO such stuff as this, II sud
denly occurred 10 me that It would be
interesting to find out the principle (ii
the word principle 10 in. the German
tongue) for which they actually believed
they were fighting, to get an angle on
the enemy point OF view
Later / questioned various other men
who fought to get their ideas. BY the
time OF Neuve Chapelle | knew Tor
sure why | was fighting myself. Eng
lish, Scotch end Irish soldiers, not 10
mention the French, had known since
August OF 1914 for what they were
fighting.
! picked out a Hun officer with an
expression less sullen than that OF his
neishbors. lie appeared intelligent
"Whst are you, or what were you
fighting for1" ! asked him.
He never hesitated a second, never
faltered, apparently he was whole
souled In his strange belief.
Fighting for our existence" said he,
Invincibls Germany.
was somewhat taken sback, We
were fighting for our existence as a
free people.
But why have you started the war II
you wanted TO exist" | shot the ques-
tion at him in few minutes,
He did not deny that they had started
the war! He said nothing about the
lies which had been published as 10 the
n,enacing of the German nation. sup
pose he thought that a usele. lie in
face of the groups OF soldiers sur
rounding would be ridiculous.
Because we in Germany wanted more
space-because we needed room 10 de-
velop;" he began TO get excited be
cause we have been forced out OF the
sun, because we have a right To our in
hertance--because the world is ours J.
"Dut," I insisted, do you really ex-
pect to succecd2 Do you really believe
that you will win the world"
Germany Is Germany.
"You will never succeed In whipping
Germany" he snarled at me. Germany
Il aii-poweriul, Germany Is uneon'
querable, Germany is invincible--Ger-
many is Germany"
Do you know. folks, I admired that
officer as he spoke. His faith in his
cause was sdperb; his belief in kultur
was supreme; his egotism OF country
his arrogance of superiority was unas-
sailable
"Do you know" | asked him, "do YOU
know that we mean to win--do you
know that we intend to cross the Rhine,
to restore Belgium, 10 re-establish
France, to make and dictate peace in
Bcrlin1"
"You believe so7" he Queried. He
lighted the cigaret which ] had handed
him.
Only One Way.
THAT cannot be-" he spoke between
puffs Of ringed smoke. when England
beats Germany there will be neither
English nor Germans left TO make
peace. We shall all be no more. This
war is to a finish--EnglandW
He turned away contemrtuoIsly. !
felt my temper rising and u couple OF
our fellows took hasty step forward,
but he was at our mercy. We turned
away.
Dozens of times since I have talked
to prisoners. Private, officer or under
officer. all alike, despite four years OF
mad hurting Of troops to death, despite
food shortage, mourning cities and
lonely homes. they continue their blind
faith in the Vaterland
Super-Germsny.
They have the advantage Of us In
that. Every German in Germany be
lieves in the cause as firmly as do theiI
soldiers In the field We are fighting 8
united people, one mind, one thought
=: