Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-13

Chicago. Jan. is.--The following
story was told recently by Adjutant
Lucy c. Bushnell. OF the Salvation
Army. who, has just returned from
France. IL In one OF the first authent-
ic stories OF the condition OF American
and allied prisoners when they return
cd from Germany.
"Stupified and sick from systematic
starvation they came back 20 our lines
In rags and women's clothes. II hurts
me even now. miles away from France,
to think OF the pathetic spectacle made
by the allied prisoners ms they came
home from Germany, home behind our
lines. II was devilish the way they
were treated, especially the English and
Bclgians."
Tears came to Adjutant Bushncli's
eyes as she told this story at the Sal
walton Army headquarters in Chicago.
She had Just returned from France
where she was stationed for over a
year. During that time she was as
close TO the front as military regula-
tons would permit though In the mod
est manner Of the Salvation Army las
sizes she minimizcd her sacrifices and
privations.
II can hardly stand H. Really II was
too hard to think OF these lads on the
way to liberty dying before they could
see their countries flags aGain-dying
because they were 50 weak from lack
OF nourishment. Our boys were not
nearly so badly off as the Tommies and
Belgians for they had not been comm
ed so long.
THE son OF Colonel --------------- told
me that i'm one allotment alone he saw
over twenty English soldiers dressed in
women's clothing because they could
get nothing else. Many of them were
without shoes and all were In rags.
They were so weak and Supplied from
malnutrition that they could hardly talk
and when they did they rambled. They
were victims of what our allies call
systematic starvation I did not hear
of any one coming back that did not
have the appearance Of n vagabond."
Adjutant Bushnell declares that the
Americans in the Argonnc were not ov-
crjoyed at the armisticc. She says they
were keenly disappointed at not being
permitted TO tear into German terff-'
tory.
when our boys first went into the
trenches they were impatient AT the
French" she continued. They wanted
to move ahead. They hated the trenches
and wanted to fight in the open. And
maybe the Roches didn't soon learn 10
fear them. 1t became common proceed
ure to have tho French do the prclim-
mary work when a drive was in con-
temptation for the Germans moved
back all their supplies and prepared TO
run when they knew tho Americans
were coming This OF course was tow
ard tho last.
DO YOU know that when our lads
started n big drive neither we nor even
the kitchen wags could keep pace with
them. They used to say the only pr's-
oners they cought were boches that
couldn't run fast enough. | am some
times sorry to say that even then they
did not take many. No. | wont say
what they did but they didn't bring in
many Germans.
| When asked whether the boys want
to return Adjutant Bushnell smiled and
said.
| NATURALLY and what do you think
they want most of all, except home and
mother? It's food they can't get ove'
there. They talk constantly of three
things, ham and eggs. apple pie ala.
mode and ice cream sodas. If you'
boy is across write and tell him that M
first meal will contain two of these ant
that on his first jaunt out of the house
YOU will fill him up on the third.