South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-12


lean army Of occupation in Germany
has written the following letter to
Rome c. Stephenson.
COblenz. Germany.
Jan. 10. 1919.
Ny dear friend Rome:
Remembering how loyal YOU were
in corresponding with some four
boys at Camp Shelby over a year
ago. and believing you will be in
terested in knowing how our lads
are getting along in Germany, am
going TO tell you as best l can my
experiences of the last few weeks.
About a month ago 1 followed our
Third army into Germany, passing
through Metz. Treves, Coblenz.
Bonn and Cologne. At Metz the
French are in control and naturally
are making the Germans toe the
mark in no uncertain manner. The
city is a very interesting one with
parts of the old Roman wall still
in existence. with many statues OF
the famous heroes-many of the
German ones have been pulled off
their pedestals. AS far as I could
see there was little evidence OF
damage from the allies bombing
machines was told that when any
damage occurred the Germans at
once repaired the same. In the 9TH
er cities mentioned above I looked
for damaged buildings and was told
the same story about quick repairs,
which was in marked contrast 20
Lrraf,nh nF
Vile. Point Mousson and others that
were badly damaged by German
shells and are still in that condi-
ton. You've got to hand II TO the
Germans for being a thorough and
business like people. and I hope our
French friends will begin at once TO
copy many OF the qualities Of in
dustrial Germany, and keep a
giants grip on the throat of mill
tary Germany, and 1 believe she viii
do this for France understands
Germany better than any other
European country.
Coming Back to Worship.
In the cities before mentioned 1
visited their large and beautiful
cathedrals and am pleased to note
that the people are really coming
back TO the worship Of God. which
was not the case TO any great eX-
tent before the war. The immense
cathedral at Cologne is certainly a
most interesting place with relics
in view that date back to the times
before Christ. After pending two
hours in the interior l walked sew
eraI blocks away from the huge
building so as TO get a better view
of the immensely Of the structure:
commenced in the 18th century. the
plans of which were by an architect,
unknown up TO that time, and there
is a pretty legend Of how he gave
life 10 the completion Of his pet
plan. Cologne is in control OF the
British soldiers who rule in a real
military way, giving the Germans
thoroughly 10 understand that the
allies are the victors, and the Boche
is a poor looser; on the other hand
in the sector where tie Americans
are in control there does not seem
to be such evidence OF a military
victor" spirit The Germans go
about their work paying little or
no attention 70 us. unless ii is to
salute us every chance they get and
showing us every little attention
giving Us cake, eggs and other little
Injuries that we are led TO believe
they have not been in possession Of
the last four years. 1t may be pro-
paEanda and we are warned by the
military authorities not TO fratern-
ize with them and so forth. But
what can our men do when the
Germans are compelled TO give up
their best rooms and homes 70 our
officers and men and we come in
close contact with them and II is
not our nature 10 treat them harsh
Is or coldly when they show us lit
tie kindnesses. Have seen only two
women in mourning in my months
stay in Germany, while in any town
or city in France you Will find
thousands in mourning. Haven't
seen one wounded German so far
and only "A few German soldiers in
uniforms-the reason is that they
were too poor to buy civilian
clothes. Shoes are made with cloth
tops and wooden soles. and look
very durable. There is no rubber
in Germany. The other day when
the Germans turned over a lot Of
large military auto trucks TO our
army one OF our officers remarked
TO the Germans, These trucks look
fine except that they have no rub
Der tires" and the German officer
replied. IF we would have had rub
her tires we would have been in
Paris long ago" The lack of rub
Der tires resulted in their truck
engines shaking 10 pieces and be-
ing consequently out Of repair con-
tinually. When IN Cologne 1 saw
bicycles with spiral springs taking
the place OF rubber tires
Few HOrscdrawn Vehicles.
There are not many hOrsedrawn
vehicles in Germany and very few
autos. ] often see men carrying
good loads OF lumber and other
freight on carts and light wagons.
man-drawn. In the fields near
Bonn / saw many OK teams pillow
ing and women doing mems work.
The cleaning Of the cars and other
railroad work Is done by young
women dressed in mems clothes.
and Germanlike they are good