Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-09-02
LEARN THE TRUTH

| Almost every mail brings letters to
our desk complaining of the manner
in which certain newspapers in the
states are belittling the characters and
the work of the American Forces in
Germany. Most of these letters deal
with the articles printed by a few
newspapers in the states that have
stated that the Army of Occupation
was made up largely of men who had
contracted venereal disease. We have
| been asked to comment upon it, and
have only refrained from doing SO
because the comments we might make
| would never reach the ears of those
in the states who labor under the
. impression that we are really so af-
| fiicted, nor would such comments in
any way stop the erroneous reports
that have been circulated in the past
six months.
Having heard the rumor, any one
could arrive at conclusion of the
source from which it emanated, and
anyone with a little thought would
realize that this rumor was started
by parties who have everything but
the good of America in their hearts.
OF course, that does not alleviate the
sharp pangs which such statements
bring &c us, and there is little we can
do to stop the rumor. They will exist
as long as our government permits
undesirable aliens to remain unmo-
Tested in the United Safes. Time
alone will discredit their statements,
and the time will come when we will
prove to everybody that the unfair
and ridiculous statements made con-
corning us were construed in the
minds of nefarious persons, whose
sole object was to stir up discomfort
among us and to bring distain upon
us from our folks at home.
A few isolated cases of venereal dis
eases have developed in our armies,
but they have been scattered over a
vast territory, and the percentage is
so low as to be almost negligible. OF
all the armies of the world, ours is
the healthiest In every respect. That
applies morally. mentally and physic-
ally; there is less Of crime, tendency
toward crime, and physical diseases in
the American army than in any other
in the world.
We have been given the best care,
as whole and that under the most
hazardous conditions. When such
matters in other armies were over
Swallowed by issues thought to be
greater in importance, our medical
department was working night and
day to keep us physically free from
disease of all sorts. The mortality
rate of the A. E. F., in comparison
with that of our Allies, shows that we
received the best care on the field
The precautionary measures adopted
in all cities and towns where there
were American soldiers almost pre-
cluded the possibility of soldier in
juring his heath by indiscretions.
There is every argument in the world
in favor of us, and it is not necessary
that we refute the statements made
by un-American newspapers and peo-
pie.
We came over clean and we will go
back clean. The lessons we have
learned will help to keep us clean in
every way over there. Our lives
when we again don "civies"-will be
such as to disapprove every rumor
ever set afioat concerning our morals.
Yes, we may be accused of being a
bunch of venereals' but the United
States will never have unloaded on
it's shores a cleaner, brighter, or bet
ter type of citizen than will be those
who return from the Army of Occupa-
tion.-The Amaroc News, Published
in Coblenz, Germany, by A. E. F., Aug.
1910