The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-06-05
CRAYKEN IS
CHUCK FULL
Of CONFIDENCE

The following is the second Of series
Of interesting letters just received from
Irving Chayken. the former TINES sport
writer with Lieut.. Charlie Tafts heavy
artillery abroad;
"Stnl in France enroute to
Germany. April II. 1918
My Dear Friend Parry:
You letter has reached me safely and
I will not delay replaying 70 II. hoping
az the same time to be as candid as
Yourself ! should be very unworthy of
the kind feelings you express did I not
try to acknowledge that I am very much
obliged for the great compliment you
have bestoyed on me and on the Ameri-
can lighting force in general
T have~Iong known your american
spirit the editorials IN THE TINES which
miss very much speak for themselves.
At this time when words Of clear mean
ing sound more than a lone representa-
ton on the battlefield Of freedom.
To-day Is another perfect spring day.
A day on which to enjoy life even under
the tvrant rage Of the Huns who are
stil trying to penetrate line after line
without success The enjoyment
amongst the boys still goes on while on
the ener1y's side all is not we'll and de-
sertions are very many. sometimes we
can see 'Boche' fall in his tracks as
he trails for the path Of freedom against
autocracy's hand Of wilful butchers of
women and children.
From early morning and all through
the day lighting continues on a large
scale The guns are pounding away as
they never did before. aeroplanes have
been busy all through the big struggle
and today I saw 2 Hun plane come down
amongst the laughter Of hundreds Of
American boys who believe that the air
bird is yet thing 10 be feared in the
coming battles All told there seems to
be no cessation. the allied forces are
holding III with their backs against the
wall. and to rush over US will be hard
task.
The German aim. learn from good
sources. seems to be to push forward in
three main drives. cannot name the
pLces but am sure that It has already
lten given TO the press. From German
maps captured by our troops and from
prisoners admissions I am told VIC
tory against the three drives was expect
ed. but thanks 10 the magnificent fight
ing qualities Of the allied troops the
Germans are being repulsed with heavy
losses.
TT IL a great scene and you would
certainly see a great deal II you were
here at present. but some have 10 stay
back and besides the government has not
called on men over SIS so be satisfied
One thing I am certain. II ell the
draftees are over here by July we shall
surprise the world by our quick success
We need more men and the faster they
come over the quicker tho conflict will be
over.
Have not received any TINES copies
and the boys are laying the blame on me
inEead of the postohtce. Your letter
took ak weeks N reaching me, but did
not mind il because I also received four
teen other letters. the first real mail I've
had since leaving Camp Merritt. Bob
Beatty IS stir feeling great. although
gassed es reported 1t did not quite prove
as bad as ! thought II was.
DO not mix me up with trench NOR
tar batteries as I am not in the suicide
club vet NO Hammond deaths and 7
trust there won't be. All the boys feel
ing we'll Have tasted gass IN the worst
sort but came out IN splendid style I
remain.
Sincerely