The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-07-17

A buck private writes this letter
about French, German and American
Girls to the Watch on the Rhine, t.,
army paper published by the 3rd Divi-
sion in the Army of Occupation in
Germany.
In a recent issue of our division
newspaper, I noted a letter from Miss
Alva Alexander, of Venice, California
which has aroused in me more than a
passing interest. 1 wish to set forth
what I believe to be a few of the
ideas of men of this division concern
ing the womanhood of this land.
l have no French or German sweet
heart, and have no intention of mar
rying any other than a good, pure,
and refined American girl.
This young lady asks if it can be
possible that any American soldier is
contemplating marriage with a Ger
man girl. I say, from observation,
and other sources, that it is probable
that there will be a number of such
marriages. Here are some reasons
why the American soldiers look with
favor on French and German girls:
The majority of these girls pay no
attention to class distinctions. Con-
sequently, every buck has his chance
with them. French and German girls
are not ashamed to do the daily tasks
of life, no matter how dull, dirty or
uninteresting they may be.
In the last few years the young
American has found himself often
Stunned if he is not society sport,
walking mOneybag, or a dancing
fool, and is it wonder If he is eager
for the companionship of woman who
do not make artificial distinctions?
Hospitality seems a lost art with
many American girls, who seldom
spend any time with their friends at
their homes, but pass their time at
theatres, cabarets and other amuse-
ment places.
The accomplishing and hard-work-
ton, for they are not ashamed of
ing women of this country, be they
enemy or friend, have our admira-
hard and dirty work, if such work is
essential to the well being of human
ity.
In strong contrast to this, we re-
member the tendencies of the girls al
home to lead, more or less, the life of
a social butterfly, thinking and plan
ming only for giddy round of social
activities. We understand, however
that the war has wrought a change in
these butterflies, which we sincerely
hope is true. Yet we read in the
home papers of a great wave of shall
low frivolity sweeping the states.
Coming face to face with the stern
realities of life, as most of US have on
the battlefields, we have learned the
really worthy things of life. We
have gained high regard for a fine,
strong, loving character, and a abb
horrence for any sort of sham, pre-
tension and superfciality. It is a
great relief, then, that we find It so
easy to read the character of the
women here. Most of these women
seem to look on life as actual and
real. No attempt is made to hide
anything behind mushy sentiment
ality. Contrast this with the Ameri-
can girls, who are out for a good time,
and they are going to have it, regard
less of cost.
If our girl friends at home do not
yet understand why some of the SOL
diers are marrying European girls,
a considerable change has come over
many of US who have been dragged,
as it were, thru the hell of war. The
soldier who has had this experience
is not going home to marry frowzy,
frazzly butterfly whom, perhaps, he
left behind. She was all right when
it came to having a good time, but as
a Whenever!
A Buck.
GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION