Norwich bulletin., 1918-11-14
ARMY CHAPLAIN TELLS THRILLING STORY

many instances of the real and string ont pinch of war as the English peo- ple are feeling 1t daily. For example,
 he showed asfnali box of matches given
 him by Father McCabe while ih Jew. cit City, the night before, stating that at home sncA box would have to Be conserved to supply s household for a week or more.
 In connection with his description of
 the horrors of trench fife ir Flanders, : where the mud of the trenches is of the consistency of porridge and in | which he said he lIad frequent1y stood in slime up tn his arm pits---tlle rule being four days steady trench ser vice, then four days fest--Ae had f 1eart~ gripping tale to tell of the awful effects upon the cold, wet men, as
 their feet grsw numb. almost nerve less, through long days and nights, until the blessed time came when they could get otIt and warm them before fires, when tho agony as the blood be- gins to work down to the feet and toes 1 is indescribable.
 Tn this connection he rather s1r- prfsed his hearers by the statement that what had absolutely saved the 1 lives of the chilled, nun1b British sol- diers had been their rtlf:1 ration. He admitted that Connecticut was virttisl- ] iy a prohibition state and lie knew the temper of the majority of Americans on this matter. Nevertheless, lie de- clared that, even as Catholic priest, when soldier boys had come to him asking as to the obligations of their temperance pledges, he had said under the circumstances, ''Breaie then!" For he had come to know that the warmth Of the scant rum ration was absolutely
 
 count on to start the circulation and virtually keep them alive.
 With Scotch drollery tke chaplain had number of 1rirthful stories to tell both about the English and the Irish soldiers and civilians in the war, at home and at the front. having the art American Of gentle knocking" " which started the laugh among his hearers just at tEe right time 10 help dry their tears at the sad experiences
 which he had narrated. h. cidentaily lie praised the Irish soldiers as bravest of the brave. His 1 eloquent operation was an irnpas- stoned appeal to the girls and boys be- fore him to not only earn the s of their Victory pledge, but to earn otf1-
 CT sums. to oeny themselves pleasures, l that they might add and add to the sums being raised to continue tho com forts of the American soldiers in the field, who have wraged the conflict fog democracy and liberty, in the nobiest war ever carried to a successful con- clIIsion for the freedom of fnankiYrd He made this appeal, he said, ag a British soldier and Catholic priest; and that it had its effect was evf- denced by the ringing applause amid which Father Watt took i1ts seat, ap- plause which grew i'll volume, as Charles Solomon. an Academy senior, stepped upon the stage aEd led in three rousing cheers for the lecturer and his cause, ending win Father Watt,"' repeated three tir1aes by the youthful auditors with spontaneous ardor Father Watt acknowledged the
 compliment with pleasure. stating that l 1t reminded him of the old time cheer ] ing Of lis college football days. And 1 he had pleasant things to say of the 1 Acaden1y's principal who had pre- l sented him D the audience ir a most feifcitous introduction. iii which the 1 Spartan heroes Of Therrfopylae were
 recalled as prototypes Of the first band
 of brave English eoldiees who had gone forth to battle aIl!1 10 die foy
 the caRse Of liberty and humanity. Wednesday, night Father Watt spoke Iu Sla1SDOr3t conn, teaFiug there Tor 1 Philadelpiia where he speaks to. night. The noted chabfain was g lawyer before studying for the priest hood, and is a writer and author. be- ing the literary executor of the noted l Ta tiier Hugh Benson, aud working ir
 th7t line during his few and precious spare mon enis.
 The N1Ar Work committee of Nor
 wich endeavored to have him speak
 here Wednesday evening, but previous
 engagements deprived the general pub lie Of the great privilege of hearing
 the distinguished soldier. priest.