Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1919-09-11
BACK FROM IA
MONTHS OVERSEAS
RECITES INTERESTING STORY
OF FRENCH PEOPLE WHO
SACRIFICED MUCH

turned to Audubon Monday after Il
months overseas service. Mr.
Dawson was among the first of oul
young men to enlist, going to Dav
export where he Joined the 1861
artillery. He was sent to Cam
Cody where he remaintd ten months
later going to France in June. 1918
He paid this office pleasant
tcall yesterday and we succeeded in
| getting him to furnish an intesest
ing story which follows:
| Doubtless our readers are still
eager to be accurately informed
concerning the existing conditions
which in any manner affect Ameri
can soldiers who through their
own desire or other reasons remain
| in Europe. ~
The writer who recently returned
from France after IA months serv-
vice there and in Germanv Is Ger.
tain that circumstances have been
alleviated to such an extent that IL
is permissible to say soldering is
more agreeable in Germany than
any other place under our flag. This
is true because our troops are living
in defeated, though not conquered
nation. This fact permits our
troops to enjoy certain liberties
which under other conditions would
be understandable. OF course through
out the occupied territory the citiz-
ems are subject to our martial laws.
In some cases the penalties inflicted
to willful transgressors were severe
but never unjust. For instance one
German who attempted to smuggle
into Coblenz large quantities OF
liquor was fined 100000 marks. In
many cases both fine and imprison-
ment causes the individual to con-
slider seriously their misdemeanors.
The average. German accepts appar-
emily willing but not cheerfully the
conditions forced upon him.
During a months stay in Ger
many l talked with many ex-sol-
diers of once powerful army who
said they were glad the allies won
because they had been long deceived
by their representatives, who
drove Germany to humiliation and
defeat. When they began that UNI
precedented retreat their army daily
diminished in numbers and rapidly
uCoNcuucu III diC. DOSdhhC
almost impossible for the faithful to
handle the material, especially the
horses. Many of them had mot
seen their families since the war be-
gan. Under these circumstances
they maintain they are glad to have
the allies with them. However
any American who has closely OBJ
served the attitude which they man
ifes. should be able to- :ocGtlie thit
the defeated Germans desire our
troops there principally for eor-
mercial reasons
Nevertheless many discharged sob
diers have rs-enlisted for another
years service in Europe. 20 percent
have enlisted for one or three years,
Those who have seen foreign serv-
ice may serve one or more years in
any designated country where our
| troops are stationed
Personally, the writer prefers
soldering in France rather than in
Germany. There one may enjoy
liberties withheld from him in any
other country. The French people
are candid and sociable to the ex-
tent that one Is often astounded
They speak rapidly but plainly, and
their language is the most explicit
in use and the most harmonious
when correctly spoken. Many OF
the richer people invited the Sam
miles, to enjoy their hospitality
which is that accorded only by the
affable French people. The best
they can offer is in their estimation
none too good for the fighting
Sammy" Only those who have
associated with them realize
fully to what extent they have sur
| fered during those years when the
| Huns were demonstrating to the
W orld the superiority of kultur to
that of any other creed or doctrine
| According to French authorities
| there is not a single family in all OF
| France who has not lost some near
or distant relative. In every town
or city one meets scores of crippled
soldiers. notwithstanding. these
optimistic people are happy and
very proud of their victorious army
The writer is acquainted with two
French soldiers who were on the
front lines throughout the war.
wonderful record!
| DUNG conversation with
Thoughtful mother who lost two
| sons / remarked that the Allies hac
won a great victory to which she
replied with tears in her eyes
Eyes, but we paid nevertheless .
dear price for it. paid for 1t with
our sons husbands and brothers
and fathers" A sublime spirit.
We realize many desire knowl-
edge of the severity. with which
our soldiers were disciplined. To
explain fully this subject would re
quire a long article but here we Of
fer a few hints because this ques'
| ton has been much agitated. Tht
| majority of our readers think oul
court martial system is too severe
The witer disagrees with you II
this respect. although all of us real
| ize some change IS almost indis
pensible.
| According to the most reliable
information obtainable, 1,9SS.4Sl
soldiers were in the A. e. F. No
yember IL. 1918. Out Of this
number 100000 were given court
martial therefore should you as
semble together 1000 soldiers who
have seen foreign service you would
have before you 200 or 20 percent
| of the 1000 who were court mar
| tailed. This seems ridiculous
| One-fifth OF our troops certainly die
not conduct themselves in such
manner which justified officers II
stamping a dark spot on the sol
diers' records. The writer believes
that dissatisfaction has become Sc
general because of the indiscrimin
ate. application Of the system, no
because of its severity.
| -o