Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-01-17
How to Write to Our Boys.

Editor OF the Register-ln recent copy
OF the "Woman's Home Companion"
there appears contribution from an
American soldier in France, containing
suggestions so timely and valuable TO
those hack home" that have taken cer-
tain paragraphs from ii and urge that you
print them, ifspace will permit. Obvious
ly, the message is for the benefit OF our
boys in the training camps as well as at
the front X. /. b.
The mothers, sWeethe3rts, wives and
sisters OF those OF US who will fight lover
there" must realize Immediately that VIC
tory, to a very large extent, rests upon
them The American soldier, brave and
hardy as he undoubtedly has proven him
self 10 be, is only human, after all. In
few months he will be thousands OF miles
away from home in a strange land, even
the language OF which he does not know;
he will be shortly initiated into new and
uncomfortable mode OF living, and through
the many hardShipS that he will have 10
undergo at first he will never cease TO be
aware that his life is in constant danger.
The strain will surely begin TO tell on
him. No matter how high his courage,
there are certain TO be moments OF doubts,
OF temporary weakness 1t is here that
his women n-iolks back home must COM
fort him. They must write him bright,
interesting letters; send him thoughtful,
useful little articles made with their own
hands reaSSure and inspire him with
their iaith and ideals.
However, when you write US lei your
letters be the right kind OF letters. Let
them be strong, sweet letters filled with
fine, answering faith Isn't it quite clear
10 you that If you are weak, il you are
constantly deSpalring and anxious and
surrender 10 sorrow and fear, this kind OF
spirit will not win the war but lose it,
surely? II you reveal this unworthy spirit
to your men at the front, how is II GER
tain to affect us Will we long 10 60 for
ward to battle, confident that every victory
is a step nearer 10 world freedom? Will
sueh letters help us TO bear the thousand
and one hardShipS, petty and serious,
most of hich we have never before eX-
penenced ? Will Such letters inspire us
to conquer foe who have prove1 them
selves the most cruel, diaboic, and
dangerous enemies OF men fighting for
high ideals ?
The mothers, SWeetheartS, wives and
sisters must bear the right attitude toward
the entrance OF their men into the World
War. II they have Hot The right attitude
now, they must acquire it. Ii they are
not familiar with the war as 1t has
progressed thus far, they should study it,
look into the factors and causes that
provoked it. II they are real American
women (4S most OF them are certain to
oe) they will have no doubts then, no
foolish fears. no childish weakness. For
one who has studied carefully authen
hcdted reports OF the war. the wautou
ness and s9vagery OF the GermlnS can
scarcely be exaggerated. Mothers,
Sweethearts, wives and sisters must know
tHat although Germany is thousands OF
miles away. her menace. not o1ly to us
but TO III future civilization, is as real as
day. She is like some powerful, titanic
monster whose evil shadow falls over al
the world The strength OF her armies IS
one OF the amazing things OF history.
Historians have said that oder1 au
t1cratic Germany probably is the last
great barrier before world democracy.
What a glorious thing It must b. then,
for every young man (0e he American,
Japanese. Frenchm4n or B-tlSher) 10
nght in the freeing Of the world