Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-10-13
WAR HEROES DHo REST IN Eu-
ROPE TO BE MOVED ON RE.
QUEST OF NEXT OF KIN.
FRANCE HAS BEEN ASKED
TO MODIFY REsTRlcTIoNs
Ban Against Removal Of Bodies for
Three Years May Be Liftsd-Psr-
mission Granted for Return Of Bod.
les Of Soldiers Buried in Belgium,
England, Germany, and Russia.
IBy E. G. Dougherty.I

Washington. Oct. 13.-The war de.
partments recent announcement that
the American dead buried in Germany.
Belgium, Italy. Luxemburg. North Rus
STA and Great Britain are to be re-
turned TO this country is expected soon
to be followed with an announcement
that the American soldiers who lie bur-
led in France, many of whom are Iowa
boys. members Of the illustrious 18Sth
regiment Of infantry Of the Rainbow
division, may be removed.
That the war department eventually
hopes to be able to return the body Of
every American boy whose parents ex-
press q desire for it was. evidenced to-
day when Representative Sweet, of
the Third Iowa district. upon inquir-
ing of the war department, received the
following communication from Adju-
tant General p. c. Harris:
MY dear Mr.. Sweet: In response
to your letter concerning the policy OF
the department relative to bringing
to this country the bodies of our SOL
diers who died overseas, you are adj
vised that it has been and IL now the
policy of the war department to re-
turn to the United States the bodies of
such soldiers in all cases in which it Is
the wish Of the nearest of kin.
The work of disinterring, identify
ing and collecting into cemeteries the
dead from SO many scattered places of
burial on the battle field, preparatory
to return to the United States. has
reached an advanced stage. but it is
regretted very much that no definite
date can be set for the return Of the
bodies to this country.
Negotiations between the state de-
partment and the French government
are now in progress with the view of
having the French government remove
or modify the present restrictions,
which in effect, prohibit the transpor-
tation of military dead for a period of
three years. The war department can
not proceed further in the matter until
the outcome of these negotiations is
known a. u
Secretary Bakers recent announce
ment Of returning the bodies Of sol
diers buried in Europe outside of
France, contained this paragraph:
In view Of the very large number
of dead Inferred in France, and the
fact that they are accumulated In well
kept and well 9cared-for cemeteries
and that these ,rcenistertes will consti-
tute a great field of honor In France,
the war department hopes that large
number Of. parents win y sympathize
with the feeling OF the department that
it is the wiser and better course to
leave these bodies in France; but the
war department has promised to re-
turn the bodies of those whose famil-
les insist upon it, as soon as arrange
ments can be effected"
Another consideration in the case OF
returning the soldier dead from France
IL the agitation for memorial field OF
honor in France, perhaps near one OF
the battlefields in which the American
boys fought and lost the hardest. The
French government has offered several
sites for this national memorial ceme-
terry and congress now has several
bills before it for appropriations to pro-
vide the memorial with monuments OF
a character that will make the field OF
honor one of the most beautiful spots
lit Europe.
War Risk Bill Near Passage.
4 The war risk bill, recently amended
by the house to provide more literally
for wounded and disabled soldiers--ahd
which, by the way, bears the name
OF the Sweet bill, by reason Of the fact
that the representative Of the Third
Iowa district was chairman of the sub
committee which, drafted the measure
is expected to soon be reported to the
senate for passage. ThSbill passed the
house practically Ivy the unanimous
vote. and Representative Sweet SAID
today that indications point to an ear
ly ratification Of the bill by the SEN
ate.
The bill, which is one Ct the most in
tricate and involved measurss-in the
matter of drafting-that any house
committee has ever had the task tc
deal with. is characterized BY coli
leagues 6f Representative Sweet as a
monument to his untiring efforts to in
corporate every item in it that will in
any way benefit the discharged and
disabled soldier. Prior to the passage
Of the bill by the house, Mr.. Sweet wss
eloquently referred to by fellow mem
bers of the house, who declared that
his painstaking efforts deserved the
thanks Of all the members Of the
American army -
b. sIa