Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-07-25
CHAPTER /.

am a German soldier. Naturally
at the time when the war started we
did not know that there would be such
q war as is being waged today.
Daily we soldiers were told that
France and Russia wanted to attack
us and that the kaiser was doing ev
erything possible for our protection.
Already on July 20 we were armed to
the teeth and prepared to march away.
During these preparations. which
showed US all that war had to come,
IS men of my company deserted.
The government published. during
this time. bulletins almost hourly to
prepare the people for the war,
subterfuge that succeeded perfectly.
Consequently two days before war was
declared. the people were overwheim-
ingly for war. but they were certain
that IL was only to be between Ger
many and France.
OF the intervention of Belgium.
Russia. England and Italy. the coun-
try had as little thought as it did of
any participation of the United States.
All thought only of the promenade to
Paris. which. to the disappointment of
the people, and also, surely to the
disappointment of the autocracy. has
been longer drawn out than had been
wished for
In these days of uncertainty the
soldiers. contrary to the cruel treat
ment which they had experienced be-
fore. were treated literally with great
quantities of supplies. delicacies and
beer. so that most of the soldiers were
so drunk continuously that they were
unable to realize the seriousness of
the situation.
And yet the majority of the sol
diers could not be enthused over the
war. They cheered and were enthu-
sIastic because they knew it was the
orders. On July 81. 1914. one day be-
fore the declaration of war. we left,
after being brought to war strength,
for our garrison at Mainz-am-Rheine.
Where the enemy toward which we
were to point our bayonets was we
had not the slightest idea. All we did
know was that We had to be trans
ported somewhere to protect the bor
der.
There were stirring times as we
started out. Tens of thousands of
people threw flowers at us and all
wanted to shake hands. All-even
soldiers-criedi Many embraced, their
wives or young brides. The bands
played farewell songs and people
laughed aud cried all at the same
time. Strangers embraced and kissed
each other. "A veritable witch's holt
day" of emotion was loosened and en-
quilted the popnlace like a storm. No
one. not even the strongest. could re-
sist its powers. Yet even this was
surpassed by the devastating at the
depot. where last farewells had to be
said. This scene will never leave me !
How desperately many women chung
to their men Many had to be forcibly
removed
But this was Mt last done and then
We were placed in cattle cars. Night
came and we had no lights. The train
went slowly toward the Rhine. 1t
went smoothly enough. Our company.
which had had days of great excite
ment, welcomed the rest that the jour-
ney afforded. Most of the soldiers
slept with their knapsacks as pillows.
Others looked dreamily into the flu
ture- Still others secretly pulled pic
lures from their breastpocketS and only
a very few killed time by discussion
and comment on their possible desti-
nation.
wherel No one knew Then after
endless hours. the train stopped We
were IN Duren. What were we there
forg We did not know The officers
only shrugged their shoulders at our
questions.