The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-02-06

ally the subscription run out, so the
paper ceased to come, but neverthe-
less the Independent comes just the
same, not only one copy but two cop
les, so I will be sure to get it. When
get home III try and pay you and
repay you for your exceptionally good
service.
Have three copies Of the lndepend-
emit all ready for mailing to my friend
1t. r. r. Van Duzee, down the line,
near the border Of Switzerland, I
guess.
November the list. we went over the
top, near Ronague in France. I was
with q telephone line mems detail.
We were stringing wire under very
severe she'll fire, which / wouldn't
have missed for a farm, now being it
is all over, but which was not the
best sport at the time.
| We receive recommends on work,
for which we are duly thankful, when
the fuss was ever, or the WIZ ceased,
our division was at Steray in France,
which is on one of the railroads just
fed the Crown Princes army in
France
Since then we have marched thru
part Of France, the southern part of
Belgium, across the province of Lux
embourg, and into the Rhinish pro-
vinces Of Germany.
The Belgian people sure were fine
to US, seemingly couldn't do enough
for the Americans. The scenery in
the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was
beautiful and the people We're like the
Belgians, willing to do most anything
for US.
But what has surprised us the most
is the Germans. They give US the
best of billets, many Of US sleeping
in feather beds The people tip their
hats to us and are very polite.
l am with telephone detail, having
charge of an American exchange here.
We had no kitchen to cook our ra-
tions, but the wife of the German
postmaster offered to do our cook
ing, and she sure is some cook.
Before Xmas she ordered tree for
US with all the decorations, also or
dered three large cakes from the bak-
cry.
Xmas eve, after we had our supper,
we were all invited in. The tree was
lit up and it sure seemed like home.
We had cake, cookies and listen-hot
schnapps.
Afterwards l went to my rooming
house, and the lady gives me plate
of cookies, apples and nuts.
The Y. NJ. C. A. and Red Gross gave
US chocolates, candies, cigars and Gig
arettes.
Had a nice Xmas dinners so all I'M
all, we spent very pleasant Christ
mas, under the conditions to which
we are subjected. The people here are
very glad the war is over, thankful
the Americans are here at this time,
and that the government of Germany
is to be a republic.
What they fear most, the war debt,
end the hardships it may bring.
While the food is limited, they lont
seem in need. Where the hunger
maybe IS, is in the large cities like
Coblenz and others.
The other day was speaking with
two ladies who are teachers in the
University of Bonn. | went into a
bakery to look over their food, when
one Of the ladies spoke up in per-
feet English. We spoke of the war,
and the past and future. AT the time
we were on the St. Mihiel front, these
ladies were at Brieg, near Metz. She
said they knew of our large army
and cannons but what they feared
most were the airplanes and the 500
tanks which were on that front at
the time.
One lady in town near Metz said
everything was quiet till the Amerl-
cans came, then the airplanes start
ed coming. This lady says that
eighty bombs lit in the front and rear
of the house. She says she lived for
eight months in the cellar. !.
/ made the remark that our d.
vision was at Stenay when the arm
istice was signed. She says( 50 that
was your division, oh, how hated
you, and smiled as she said it she
said our guns were dropping shells
near her school house at Bries
The older one Of the two goes on
to tell. She says: eve thought the
world and all of our royal family, and
were proud Of them. ] never knew
what the conditions really were, till
the 18th of November, when | saw our
soldiers come marching back, carrying
red flags, then / was heart-broken,
course l realized that we were beaten
and defeated and had not been told
the truth of our retreating army I'M
France and Belgium. What proud
people we were, and to think we must
admit we are beaten. Why didn't you
Americans stay home, we had them
beaten?"
She spoke of the war debt, and
seemed somewhat discouraged in re-
ferring to the indemnities they would
have to pay. Before the war she says,
we always had plenty and were very
happy, but now, when your Mr. Wilson