The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-05-20
FRANCE IN TIME OF WAR
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one was apt or ever naQ gone "A. w. ~. l..
at this place. Marseille proved a warm
and sunny place and here we enjoyed
daily baseball games, band concerts, NOV
ing pictures and boxing matches. The
matches staged between the Americans
and French proved exciting and as rule
the Yanks more than held their own. We
were there only few days when the ex-
pected orders came for us to board the
French troop ship Marseille-Canada
homeward bound. The boat stopped
three days for coal at ORION, Algeria,
French possession in Northern Africa,
where we were given afternoon shore
leave.
ORION is large seaport, modernly de-
veloped and improved by French capital.
They had large hotel of which the en-
tire front was porched and used as an
open air cafe. I even noticed the old
familiar sign Ford Automobile Company.
The inhabitants were French business men,
Algerians, Mohammedans, soldiers and
German prisoners of war.
After coaling we proceeded on our way,
stopping to be identified before the Rock
of Gibralter which at a distance looks
small and harmless. The Notifications
are carefully concealed, naturally pro-
tected by slanting rock reinforced by
cement. In addition they have sub
terranean passage to the main land.
On the homeward trip we struck only
one severe storm and this we could have
avoided by going out of our course as we
were warned of its approach by wireless.
We arrived at New York June s, 1919,
given a rousing and stirring welcome by
the Mayors Home Reception committee
and band. On entering the harbor you
can see that gigantic statue of Liberty,
the gift of the French people after we had
wrested our independence from Great
Britain, holding aloft that glorious en-
blem, the torch of freedom. Our stop was
short as a train was waiting for us which
took us to Camp Merritt, N. ]. where the
company was disbanded and resorted to
casual companies according to states. I
was discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa
and went west to Los Angeles where I
rejoined my happy family, staying with
them until November.
In conclusion will say my army exper-
fence was beneficial to me. I had an OPP
portunity to be of real service besides COM
ing in contact with living conditions,
habits and customs of the old world.
No one fully realizes the advantages,
comforts and luxuries, this country is en-
dowed with until he sees the war ravaged
Europe. Before the war we were heavily
indebted to Europe, now we are lenders,
while they are on the verge of facing
bankruptcy and have in fact failed to pay
interest on their war debts. They look
forward to US furnishing relief, food and
reconstruction supplies. Of these coun-
tries Russia has treated us the worst go
ing so far as to deny her war loans and
obligations. Her foreign and domestic
policies certainly does not speak well for
socialism.
As to the league of nations will say that
the American forces overseas were favor
ably disposed. We did not know enough
of the details as to whether or not reser-
vations were needed but felt that such
strong combination of Powers would tend
to promote peace a longer time than the
old fashioned secret alliances, jealousies,
and intrigues of the past.
Out of this great war sprung the Amer
lean Legion of which I am a member and
which will hereafter carry a great weight
in the policies and politics of this coun-
try promoting equality, law, order and
justice.