The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1919-06-19
NEWS OF OUR SOLDIER
BOYS
Interesting Letters from Our
Boys at Home Camps
and Abroad.

Col. 2 o. Clark, in the folIowin,
letter from him, gives an interesting
description of his travels to Switzer
land. He was not permitted to eute
that country, however, as American
army men and officers are eonsideret
at war until the peace treaty il
signed:
April 26-Left st. Afghan for Bloi,
at $50. Drove over in Al minutes
Train on time and the trip to Pari.
uneventful. Arrived at 12:40, wen
to the Umbrella shop for lunch. Rainy
and diSagreeable. Tried TO get ticket:
for the opera, but none were avail
able, so went to Pruniers for dinner
Had a delightful dinner at a very
moderate price-the cheapest | ever
had in Paris. Soup, broiled lobster
ed Cooks in the afternoon to see
about the trip to Reims. Bought tic
kets which | found out afterward we
did not need. However. would not
have known of the trip had it not
been for them. Went to bed early for
had to get up very early TO catch
the train to Reims. Train left at
.7:55 a m. from the Care de PEST.
April PA beautiful day and a trip
never to be forgotten Went out
through Meaux, near which the first
battle of the Marne was fought in
Sept 1914, then out through Chateau
Thierry, where the tide was turned
back in July, 1913 From this point
and this date tho Boche began to
weaken and continued up to November
II, 1918. All along the Marne the
towns had been thoroughly shelled,
the bridges demolished and the rail-
road systematically sheIled Saw
many of the boats and pontoons along
the river during the push Saw a num-
Epernay was not hurt, but as we ap-
preached Reims the cruelties of war
were more evident. Saw many trenches
and much barbed wire ENHANCEMENT.
Some of the trenches were filled, shcw
ing how rapidly the French are trying
to recover Reims is a complete rim
Before the war it was a city of 100 900
The factory district is
demolished. The business
district has few walls standing. Nest
Of the residential district is in ruins
The cathedral, where all but two of
he French kings were crowned. is now
only a memory, with the outside walls
standing as a grim monument to the
1ultur OF nation which in my opin
on should be wiped out entirely, so
hey should never be known again
among the nations of the earth. Reims
s only an example of what they would 1
lave done to beautiful Paris had they
,een successful in their drives in 1911
md in 1918. Reims is most interest
ng, yet most depressing Many If
he former residents are returning to 4
heir demolished homes and on many
loors was this inscription, "Proprie-
airs rentre." This was to notify the
urious sightseers that the proprietor
ad returned and did not want -ogi
through his wrecked home.
iany little shops have been opened
ID, but it does not ,ook as though
his beautiful and flourishing city
ould ever be rebuilt The destruc-
ion of Sodom and Gomorrah could
OF have been more complete. There ,
-ere hundreds of Americans and
rench there to see the results of
lodern war | only wish that Ger
lany might have held on a little long
+ until her cities could have known
ar as these French cities knew it.
ad lunch at a little cafe-omelet, !
read, etc. Returned to Paris, leaving +
eims at o'clock and arriving in am
e time to catch the train for EyiaR
s Bains- II
April 2S-Spent q most miserable L
pht in a second class coach However n
night feel that the hardship and r
scomfort were nothing When It Il
As light this morning found that i:
: scenery was wonderful-so like I
aho. Had breakfast at Belgrade. q
,ewed all morning. Arrived at c,
rian at 1880 in = wild snow storm c,
otel Splendide is rightly named; IS h
lite modern and wonderful food. 1t ir
ands on a hill overlooking Lake c,
.neva, the lake of which used to e,
nd but never expected to see. Just Fl
ross the lake from my window | C
n see something of the town and
antry and have COED viGw Of the
&c. for it has been TO stormy today
evun look out. Thars asesa mana p
+ of highly resRaetao>se Sfssehity