The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-02-06
{. c. BUTLER SPEAKS
TO BROTHER MASONS
All Circumstances Made Meeting Yer.
Impressive

Something like 200 members of the
Masonic fraternities gathered at their
hall last Sunday afternoon to listen
to their returning member Ernest c.
Butler, after his years sojourn in
France Mr.. Butler took service as
a Y NJ. G. A. Secretary and left
America thirteen months ago
He was attached to the second divi-
sion and with them saw much OF the
most intense and most trying Incidents
of the Great War. After the sign
ing of the armistiee his work took
him to Coblentz. Germany. The
speaker is of the opinion that our
boys will return strengthened in moral
character and with higher ideals than
when they left America. Asked by
Mr. Jacobs if this was due to the work
of the Y. NJ C. A. organization Mr..
Butler said; why yes, that had some
thing to do with ii, but what they
passed through at the front, perhaps,
had great deal more. One OF those
boys, wearing gas mask and lying
in a little dugout, hastily made by
himself, and not much larger than his
own body, with the big shells whist
ling overhead would think hard and
fast These moments, and many
others, some of them face to face with
death. would cause the changes | have
spoken Of
On being asked whether or not he
would advise that the bodies OF our
fallen heroes be returned to America
the speaker replied in the negative.
He himself had given instruction that.
should his death occur on foreign soil.
he should be given permanent burial
there, and he felt strongly that the
place where these young men fell or
death occurred was the most fitting
spot for intcrment. AS of interest TO
the subject at hand, he quoted the
statement Of President Roosevelt re-
garding his son who is now buried in
France. Although somewhat inclin-
ed to reserve judgment for the pres
pnt Mr. Butler expresses his interest
in the proposition to establish a Ma
tional Cemetery, at some point OF
scenic beauty in France, TO which all
the American soldiers now buried
there could be taken This 10 him
seemed worthy of thought and to offer
possibly compromise solution as TO
final resting place Of America 5
brave dead.
Mr.. Butler spoke OF being at one
time. at least. connected with burial
detail and told in language as gentle
as such a subject would permit OF.
the interment work and of the care
as TO Identification and the return of
any valuables to the next of kin.
While expressing his confident be
lief that the Germans were capable
OF many. perhaps most. OF the atrocl-
ties WIN NnlCH tntN HtIt thdi Scdr Iht
speaker stated that practically none
of these incidents had come within his
actual knowledge.
Something of the strenuous work
which this gentleman has carried on
may be gained from the knowledge
that he lost forty-two pounds between
the date of his leaving America ana
his return. Wearied by his experience
and as he states, anxious to forget
it may we'll be believed that he yield
ed somewhat reluctantly to this invit-
alton to talk to his Masonic brotho r..
That he did so will be regarded as
generous courtesy Three at least OF
his auditors have sons buried in the
area where the scenes spoken of by
Mr.. Butler transpired. 1t must have
been solemn pleasure to them, as it
was indeed to the rest of the audience
to listen to Mr. Buffers two hours
story