The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-03-05
WAR LETTERS READ
TO KIWANLANS AT
T0DAY'S LUNCHEON
Dr.. ]. O. Arnson's Correspon-
dence From Front Full Of
Tragedy and Comedy

The KiWaniS club luncheon, was
turned back more than ten years ago,
today. by letters written from the
World war front by DR.. j. o. Arnson.
A year ago the doctor was OH a pro-
gram for talk on the war. and lie
had the happy inspiration then to
give 1t in the form OF some OF his war
correspondence. He repeated the in
spiration today by reading others Of
his letters.
The first letters dealt with events
at the time the German line was re-
firing OIL the American sector and the
war was crumbling as result of
American entrance into the struggle.
These letters were like chapters out
OF diary of tragedy and horror
They limned the scenes of destruc-
ton. Also the unkempt condition of
the French villages, their disregard
for sanitation. the streets reeking
with filth. Now and then little
flash Of comedy interrupted the grisly
tale Of horror-a nurse being Courted
from the air by a flyer, the interest
In junk and garbage the medical
corps developed in continually trying
to salvage some castoffs for their per-
sonal comforts. So that one surgeon
said he would never again be able to
pass garbage pile without exper-
fencing the itch to pick something
from out of it.
The doctor described a visit to the
Argonne front, Varennes, Grand Pre-,
the riven and pulverized towns, mill
tary Barbecue, the glory OF Verdun
with its citadel 100 feet underground,
where 10000 men might hold a hos
tile army.
Christmas Meant Nothing
Then he read a queer Christmas
letter, with words of pessimism in
spired by the horrors that had been
lived in the war. so that the day had
lost its significance to the fighting
soldiers. One letter drew a picture
of the dead and dying in the hospi-
talS-veritable chambers of horror.
Another portrayed the leaden spirit
of French cobbler's family, in which
only the four -year-old little daughter
whose father had been killed in the
early days of the invasion was child
ishly innocent of the sorrow and sad
ness.
After the tragedies had been re-
counted, the doctor closed with some
letters that were of comedy content.
Pershing's review of the medical
corps. wherein he kept the bedraggled
5000 standing in a rain from 8 a. m.
to 1926. Right there were born 5000
bolsheviks, said the ten-year-old let
ter, and the generals conduct was
termed lack of consideration. With
the recital of the reviews incidents
went an appraisal of the general. 1t
showed him very much soldier, very
democratic, but, alas. flounderer
when he came to talk and-he wasn't
there at all. He repeated phrases
over and over, also ideas, and not for
emphasis. said the letter. He Just
floundered because he wasn't a
speaker. There was the usual colonel
painting along at his heels as he loped
down the lines in what was supposed
to be an inspection of 5000 dripping
medical men and nurses.
Attendance Is Spurrcd
The entry OF the club into the dis
trict attendance competition was re-
Elected in the days attendance. The
tables were crowded and Governor
Shafer, came late could hardly find
a place. His example of steady at
tendance when he is so much more
busy than many another member was
held up as worthy of imitation.
The guests of the day included the
new Trinity Lutheran pastor. the
Rev. Q. s. Rindahl; M. G. Rausch,
Elgtn banker; J. G. Self, of He'll: j.
M. Thompson, Burleigh representative
In the house; Senator w. G. Croker,
Lisbon. who was given sort of fare
well: Fred Elliot, travelling agent of
the N. F., st. Paul: w. A. Mcintyre,
Grand Forks; and Phil Newbaeth,
Darlington.