The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-07-23
WHY SOLDIERS
MARRY ABROAD
A Buck Private Writes Letter to
"Watch on the Rhine, an Army
b Newspaper-Why Soldiers Marry
NO CLASS DISTINCTION THERE
French and German GNIs Care Noth-
ing for Glass Distinction and Are
Not Ashamed to Toll Daily.

| A buck private writes this letter
about French, German and American
girls to the Watch on the Rhine, the
army paper published by the Sd Divi-
sion in the Army of Occupation in Ger
many:
| In a recent issue of our division
newspaper noted a letter from Miss
Alva Alexander, of Venice, Calf,
which has aroused in me more than
passing interest. | wish to set forth
what | believe to be few of the
ideas of the men. of this division con-
cerning the womanhood of this land.
have no French or German sweet
heart, and no intention of marrying
tany other than a good, pure, and re.
fined American girl.
This young lady asks If it can be
possible that any American soldier is
contemplating marriage with a Ger
man girl | 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,
unnteresting they may be.
In the last few years the young
American has found himself often
Stunned if he is not a society sport,
a walking moneybag, or dancing fool.
and is it a wonder il he is eager for
the companionship of women 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
theaters, cabarets and other amuse-
ment places.
The ,uncomplaining and hard-work.
ing women of this country, be they
enemy or friend, have merited our ad-
miration, for they are not ashamed of
Ihard and dirty work, ii such work is
essential to the well being Of human.
Iity.
In strong contrast to this, we re-
member the tendencies OF the girls at
home to lead, more or less, the life
of social butterfly. thinking and
planning only for a giddy round of so-
cial activity We understand, how
ever, that the war has wrought a
change in these butterflies, which we
sincerely hope is true Yet we read,
in the home newspapers of a great
wave, of. shallow frivolity sweeping the
states. 49," .'
Coming face to face with the stern
realities of life, as most of us have
on the battlefelds, we have learned
the really worthy things OF life. We
have gained high regard for fine
strong, loving character and an abs
horrence for any sort of sham, preten-
sion and supericiality. 1t 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 be-
| hind mushy sentimentality. Con-
trast this with many of the American
Rgirls who are out for good time, and
they are going to have it, regardless OF
cost. Ga ,-'.1',. > ,s'.. Y.
| If our girl friends at home do not
lyet understand why some of the soli,
diers are marrying European girls.
they will learn sooner or later that a
considerable change has come over
many of lis who have been dragged.
as it were, through the he'll of war.
The soldier who has had this experis
ence is not gong home to marry a
frowzy, frazzly butterfly whom, per.
haps, he left behind. She was all
right when it came to having good
time, but as a wife~never! Capper's
Weekly A BUCK.