The Washington times., 1919-09-16

to Their Families.
From the sweetheart of drafted soldier there
letter which is the best possible kind Of argument why
the boys who were consCripted to fight Germany should
now that Germany has been whipped be brought home anC
restored to their families their homes and their jobs
Although the young lady who writes the letter gives
fun permission for the Of her and that of he
soldier boy is thought best not print them for fear
trouble that might result
Here is her letter and Immediately below is the lette
from the boy in France:
Won't you please write an editorial about the un-
fortunate boys in the SECOND PIONEERS (all except
very few DRAFTED men), who, after eighteen
months In France have been ordered to COBLENZ and
ayhap Poland at the eleventh hour, when they
their way to Brest for HOMEi
I am inclosing a copy of a letter just received
from Private D. A. of Company E, who drafted in
October 1917, and went in March, 1918. His
Job is waiting for him (providng he home before
October 15). His mother is in positive want, and
have been trying to help her out of my meager wages
am his sweetheart. Three days before wedding
date he went to Camp Upton, and have longed and
prayed for his return earnestly only to be disap
pointed again and again.
This letter that am inclosing, however, was
ceved this morning and shows that the order sending
the boys to Cobenz not revoked and that they
really their way to Germany instead of back to
home and loved ones
IF you viii publish my sweetheart's letter, and it
viii do good to bring the matter to the notice of
the proper authorities resulting in the homecoming of
the Second Pioneers, you will the undylng graft
tude of myself and all the other yearning friends and
! relatives, not to mention the boys themselves.
/ Gratefully yours,
THERESA L.
p S.-You are at perfect liberty to use names and
a59Es1ses providing it will not hurt Private D. AS
! god record in the army.
Is-sur-Tille France Aug. 29 1919.
Dear Folks-at-Home:
It's all gone foks-all my hopes and all my expecta-
Enns-bmst like a bubble. Just imagine it: We were
IN trucks, headed for BREST, when the order came,
Ike thunderbot to go to COBLENZL And we're
DRAFTED boys; think of that! can't understand it.
Not only are we going to Coblenz but are to report
there for further orders for duty in Poland\
Gosh when I drafted, two years ago, / knew
was going In a good cause, and although it hurt to
leave my dear ones glored my love for my country
But since the armistice, when just chung around
In France with signs of going home, though boys
who came after the signing sent back to the good
old o. S. A. 1 have slowly but surely lost my patriot
ism. And I'm not alone In this. Ask any soldier boy
still over here.
You never saw a sorrier lot of boys than Company
E Second Pioneers. hope can find it in their
hearts to blame for feeling sick at heart Put your
self In our place. Suppose you a soldier talking
of nothing else but HOME since November H. being on
truck homeward bound, and then turning around in
the opposite direction!
In the army we have way of saying, "Oh what
the h! you're in the army now.'' But this is more
than anyone can bear It's unfair We've done our
duty-eighteen months in France-over here longer
than any other drafted outfit and ought to be per
mitted to see our loved again before die of
old age
have tried to be brave; I've always written cheer
ful letters but I can't keep it up any longer. 1 am
writing my real thoughts and feelings at last in the
hone that YOU folks at home can DO something know
we're only "plain folks" and don't know any polti-
clans or officials that help US, but there must be
some public-spirted paper official who will make
an appeal for
For Gods sake, send us home!
Yours despairingy, D-A-
Company E, Second Pioneers.