The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-09
Casualties Were Awful" De-
cIares Brigadier General.
First News of Home Troops
From France Today.
BOYS WILL Be HOME BY SPRING
Returning Soldiers To Urge
y Universal Training Then.
"Germany Isn't Starved, She
Was Licked" Martin Says.

Casualties of the Thirty-fifth divi-
sion-the fighting organization close
to the hearts of kansans-totalled
more than fifty per cent, killed.
wounded, gassed or rendered ineffec-
tive for fighting. That was the in
formation received from physicians by
Charles I. Martin, former adjutant
general of Kansas. who returned to
Topeka today. He was in charge of
former Kansas national guard units in
France and served in the rank of brig
adler general, leading his troops thru
the week of hell in the Argonne for
est.
General Martin today brought to
Kansas the first news of the home
troops by a commanding officer. He
declared that the spirit of the men is
wonderful. In spite of their heavy
casualties, never Tor one minute did
the men lose the indomita BILE spirit of
fight and determination. Health con-
ditions among the men are excellent.
Home by Spring.
II believe the boys will be home
soon--probably by spring" said Cen
eral Martin. Their rcondition-speak-
ing of the men not in the hospitals
from wounds and injuries--is fine.
But the casualties were awful. don't
want to frighten anyone and L don't
presume 10 SPEAK Will dDSOlQlc dulI-
ority. Doctors, tho, told me that the
casualties of the Thirty-fifth division
were more than fifty per cent That
does not mean men killed. 1t means
men killed, gassed and injuries of all
classes. The heavy casualties came in
the week of fighting in the Argonne
forest"
General Martin declared he sees lit
tie reason for the men remaining in
Europe for a considerable time. He
believed the Kansans would be home
soon. With the exception of certain
select units, General Martin forecasts
the return of the troops by spring.
Want Universal Training.
Some form of universal military
training will be urged by the returning
soldiers, General Martin believes.
while most of the men seem to
favor universal training" said the for
mer Kansas adjutant, II do not be-
l.eve they will consent to a purely fed
eralized system. 1t smatters too much
of Prussianism and such methods as
approved will doubtless be under
state regulation and thru public school
and college courses
Many of the wild rumors that Ger
many was starved out and that her
troops were underfed, were vigorously
denied.
They weren't starved" declared the
Kansan, they were licked. Austria
and Turkey had quit. Germany S
army was cut in two at Sedan. There
was but one thing to do-Quit. None
of the armies. 80 far as 1 could learn,
were suffering from lack of food or
supplies"
Hun Must Be Subdued.
Asked concerning the peace pro-
gram which the fighting men would
demand, General Martin declared:
There is but one thing the SOL
diers want. And that thing they de-
mand. They insist that Germany
shall be SO handled that she shall new
er again be able to return to her mill
tary power, to start a world war or to
become a world power"
General Martin was adjutant gen.
eral of Kansas until the three regi-
ments of national guards were fed
eralized. Then he was commissioned
brigadier general, placed in command
of the 3Sth and 139th regiments of
the Thirty-fifth division and went to
France with his troops in the spring
of this year. The troops had spent
more than six months at Camp Doni-
phan. When the war ended and COM
mands were reduced. General Martin
with other brigadier generals was re-
duced to rank of colonel. He returned
to the United States last week and
will spend the winter in Topeka.
When General Martin entered federal
service, Governor Capper appointed
Charles S. Huffman of Columbus, as
his successor.