The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-03-28

anxious for that momentous event
for the "cooties" and lack of food
and clothing certainly took all the
pleasure out CT life. Was bombarded
constantly by aAied planes in al
most every town or city | was in and
| often had great expectations of
one catching our camps. | did not
have to work for l was a sergeant,
but think perhaps this was a disad-
vantage for those who worked could
steal bit of food and they also got
more to eat than the noncoms.
l was wounded and spent some
time in a German hospital where |
was treated fairly we'll and in Octo-
Der reached an American camp at
Rostatt In Boden, where the Ameri-
can Red Cross supplied us with food
and clothing. think | would have
passed out of this life if it had not
been for this assistance and am GER
tain that If the war had continued
much longer l would not have lasted.
When the kaiser abdicated, every
seminal threw away the ornamental
helmets which they wear on interior
guard because it had the prussian
eagle on it, and wore their caps from
which they had removed the button
which represented Prussia. Prince
Max OF Baden was the leader of the
revolution and it was universal in
southern Germany, where | was sta
toned at that time. l only heard of
very little trouble between the Of
ficers and their men.
But the day the armistice was
the happy day in Ukrainerkengsqe-
fangerenlager (name of camp where
| was at that time.) OF course it
brought joy to the whole. world but
believe our joy was a little more
intense than elsewhere.
We received instructions to remain
In camp until the U. S. hospitals
were able to care for us and we
stayed until the seventh of Deem
Der.
In the meantime We were allowed
ii visit Rostadt and Baden, where
we came in touch with the civilians |
and soldiers. We were treated we'll
by them, but they did not understand
that they were defeated. At either
entrance to the town there were
signs saying to their men, Welcome
nome! Victorious warriors"
They had an immense respect for
Americans before l left Germany.
but when l first was captured thew
did not believe that there were any
Americans in Europe. l was often
asked how it was possible that we
reached Europe; was not Europe
starving and many things like that?
Their In U-boats was immense and
they believed Americans could never
reach France.
In October l heard soldier on
leave, just back from the front, tell
ing about the Americans to those in
the interior, and as he was rather
excited and had recently lost a
brother before the Americans. did
not feel very safe, but still it made
me proud to be an American, to hear
nj mtell how they came over the TOP
without coats or packs, with only
'ifie and bayonet and took their posi-
ions. He said the Americans did not
know how to fight, but they fought
better than those who did. They
lad an immense respect for America
1t that time and after, and their
asst plea was for President Wilson
o send food to them.
Even in a farming country the
God shortage was noticeable. The =
hildren didn't look half the age they
lalmed to be and they said they !
ould not possibly get thru the win +
er without food, but when they .
we're saying that l remembered that 7
hey had survived four winters with
ut aid from America and l had SUR
lived four months with practically
o food from them, so | will hardly I
e the first contributor to a charity 4
attended to relieve them. :
AS we left Germany we returned T
hru Switzerland and the welcome
re received from the people there
Ill always be one of my most
leasant memories.
also saw the Matterhorn and Mt. ?
lane and Lake Geneva, but the most r
eautiful scenery Just now to me .
ould be the statue of liberty. ~
l hope to return to the states soon
nd intend to visit you when l do, II
ut just have "hunch," you know, u
lat some more trouble will be
Tired up in this country and we
Ill be sent to guard OF fight the
urks or Prussians or somebody: "
lst any one will do, l suppose, so II
ng as the U. s. keeps a large stand h
e army abroad and is making mil a.
ons of dollars for some one. M
With love to all, l am as ever, n
Your grandson, :