Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-10

had brought with him two pork pies
In order to be sure of having a 'fit of
indigestion when the commission saw
him. Unfortunately these were eaten
on the occasion of two false alarms
about the arrival OF the commission
He was returned to Germany.
Another young officer had lost his
arm above the elbow. Every night when
We were getting into bed he used to
amuse US by waving good night to these
at the other end Of the room and salut-
ing the passers-by with his stump
When we had been in Constance about
two weeks We were given our first batch
Of letters. which We were overjoyed TO
receive. as We felt as though we had
been absolutely cut off from the world.
After a great deal of discussion permis-
sion was also given us to write home
About December I the commission
actually came, We were shown one by
one into room containing the SWISS
doctors and numerous German doctors
and officials. We were examined notes
were taken about our cases and we left
the room without being told whether We
had been accepted or refused. The next
three or four days We spent comparing
notes as to which doctors We had seen
and what they had said. in an endeavor
to find out who had passed and who had
failed. The Germans would tell US
nothing. One day an unterofilzier came
in with n list of six or seven names.
This was read out and the officers mem
toned were told TO pack UP and leave
for camp at once, Almost every day a
similar list came in. and each Of us
trembled for fear his name might be
included. Gray. Noodle and Addle Sine
were victims of these lists
| On December We were allowed to
wire for our parcels. and the Germans
told us we would probably spend Christ.
mas in Constance. as our Government
would not agree to the terms of the ex-
change.
! One day ] was talking 10 a German
| unteroffzer who had great deal to
do with us on account OF his knowledge
of English. The conversation drifted
around to who started the war. lie. OF
course, insisted that England was to
blame.
your heart, really think that England
| started the war?" l asked.
"we, you know we've got to believe
It," was his reply. There is more truth
than poetry in this statement.
On December ~ a lot Of parcels which
had been accommodating for US in camp
| useless. as we ieIL tne next uay Ior
Switzerland. !. particularly. got very
large number which the Germans tried
to persuade me to leave for them. I re-
fused and sent to the town and bought
a large basket-trunk into which packed
them all to take to Switzerland. whence
I I hnnal IN ha ahla n sand them hark N
my less fortunate friends. l got per.
mission to write a postcard to the
French captain. In which i told him
was leaving. and asked him to carry out
the arrangements about my parcels.
The day We left. that baggage which
had not been examined and sealed In
camp was brought In and placed by the
owners bed. We were gathered together
and asked by a German major II we had
any written messages from friends On
camp, or IL We had any gold In our pos
session No one spoke. II take your
word as English officers and gentlemen
that such is the case" said the major.
Our persons were not searched. but the
baggage was thoroughly examined. after
which It was packed labeled and carted
off to the station.
My feelings about this time can be
gathered from the following extract from
my first letter home after leaving Ger
many:
AS you know by now. Of course. I am
in Switzerland. or at least think am
Every minute ! expect to wake up and
hear some Hun shouting. Aufstehen
kaffee trinken' wrote you from Con-
stance. but you probably never got the
lettara Permission 70 write was given
71sx TFl1(flnGly W. trrays4 teago NJ,