The Apache sentinel., 1943-08-20
Observance OF The Rules
An Editorial = By The Editor


a quiet sector of the Belgian front. 1t Sunday
morning and we out for careful STROLL" care
ful, because quiet sector could and sometimes did,
suddenly become quite noisy.
During our stroll we came upon sleeping Ger
man, youth of not more than 10 years. He was
sleeping soundly, clad only in his dogtag. He had
upon old, water-filled shell hole; undressed
and taken glorious bath Then with fine sun upon
his skin, he had washed his clothes, spread them out
on the ground, and while waiting for them to dry
had gone off to Sleep
The officer with awakened the young soldier,
who sprang to attention Immediately.
I'm sorry said the officer iokingly CBut the
young German did not know the American officer ,
was Joking for that something officers in the
German Army did very sparngly) ''but must arrest
you spy You not soldier officially for you
are not wearing uniform Your status is therefore
that of spy, for you inside the lines and to all
intents and purposes you are person who doesn't
belong here The dogtag you are wearing could have
been taken from wounded or dead soldier. have
choice in this matter must place you under ar
rest; have you tried and then have the sentence of
the court carried OUT,
During the officers talk the young German con-
tnued to stand rigidy at attention He listened care
fully to the officers words and when the latter had
finished said:
"Sir, if dots duh rule must die"
That all he said!
We are living in a period when there are many
rules to observe, to obey and things would go lot
better with us if we like the young German
soldier, who was willing to die'if dot was the rule"
We are acknowledged Chip on -ea h-shoulder"
nation, generally speaking We know what the rules
are but we are imbued with the-"You can't do that
to me" idea. The writer witnessed definite and-
common example of the above in neghboring city
day or two ago.
In section of the city, where automobile drivers
could plainly the signs: "25 mile zone' in every
block, huge car, driven by bu-necked man with
low-slung jaw, passed my at speed which I
estimated to be about 60 miles hour" He did not
even honk his horn as he sped by.
block further on speeding motorist brought
his big to stop took five young persons
boys and girls. He the "big- hearted" kind You
know his type.
While the big-hearted" chap was loading up"
with children drove past but not for long in
the lead He soon went ahead again.
Presently I found myself block from the citys
largest hotel and to my deep satisfaction there I
came upon our hitherto speeding motorst safely in
the hands of THREE Highway Patrolmen. I stopped
my car to add my two cents worth of evidence and
while doing of the ffcers said: my car was
doing IS miles an hour and I could not catch up
whit him."
The bull-necked guy loudly protesting to the
officer and his words and complete attitude was that
Of They can't do this to Me- but they WERE doing
it, and we'll.
The arrested motorist not like the young
German soldier who willing to die without woro
of argument-"f dot the rule" He not onIv
exceeded the speed laws of that part of the CITY by
at least 40 miles, but he protesting the "rules's
Things would be a lot better with u.s. if we first
observed the rules-and- if caught handed
as the motorst was, elected to take our just deserts in
becoming manner.