TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LITTLE RIVER NEWS DECEMBER 5, 1917 P. 2
Somewhere in France.
Active Service Station Oct. 23-17.
Mr. W. D. Waldrop.
Ashdown, Ark.
Dear Friend Will:
The long wait for orders to proceed to where we are at finally came, and it was a great trip indeed. Those great ships loaded with the men “who are to show that Imperial Murderer, William of Prussia,” that rights of Americans must be respected, came through with the good old stars and stripes flying from the top mast. At sun set we sailed up a harbor in a foreign land. Great crowds of people gave us welcome. Everyone was glad to see ‘Americans.’ France, which has for over three years born the brunt of the most terrible war in history is not complaining. Everywhere we see women doing men s work. All the French people are working to one view, to win the war to preserve the independence of the Republic. That which has impressed me most since coming here is the wonderful system of farming. The soil does not appear to be any stronger than ours of Little River county, but my, how these people make it produce, small fields of from three to ten acres every foot of which is cultivated to its maximum production. The fields are separated by hedge rows of berry vines or small fruit trees, hill sides or ravines too rough to cultivate are set in fruit and sodded in grass, not one foot of land is wasted. The sandy country not suitable to cultivate is set in pine woods, the trees arranged at a suitable distance to permit growth. The tar and pitch is taken from them, which, I am told does not retard the growth of the trees. After seeing all this I can hardly realize what a place our country would be if we could but learn to utilize the great natural resources we now let go to waste.
One of the great helps to America from this war will be the lesson in land economy our farmer boys will learn by coming over here.
Of the war we are allowed to say but little. All of us wish it were over and we could be at home with loved ones and friends. None of us wish to come home until it is brought to a definite conclusion, however. We are now in and let us stay and once for all put down the force which has kept the world in a state of arms for the past fifty years. Let the man at home who may shout for a premature peace be put in prison with other traitors. Let each American man or woman at home or in the service make his supreme purpose the serving of our country and how great will our victory be. The man who stays at home and produces is as much a soldier as he at the front. But those who stay back and slack are going to find themselves scorned by all true people.
The women of America are certainly doing their part, we received a lot of wool sweaters, sox, caps and gloves from the Red Cross which sure comes in fine over here. The men of the flying service are from all parts of America. The requirements were rather rigid and the training has been wonderful. Like all war service flying has uncertain features but we all expect to be of the ones who come back. One and all are giving the best we have and taking what comes as part of the game. I know those boys from home will be regular fellows when we get here, that the men from Little River county will give a grand accounting of themselves.
Give my kindest regards to Ashdown friends and best wishes to yourself and family.
Yours very truly,
J. E. Welch,
U. S. N. Aero Unit No. 1, 23 Rue De La Part. Paris, France.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
Somewhere in France.
Active Service Station Oct. 23-17.
Mr. W. D. Waldrop.
Ashdown, Ark.
Dear Friend Will:
The long wait for orders to proceed to where we are at finally came, and it was a great trip indeed. Those great ships loaded with the men “who are to show that Imperial Murderer, William of Prussia,” that rights of Americans must be respected, came through with the good old stars and stripes flying from the top mast. At sun set we sailed up a harbor in a foreign land. Great crowds of people gave us welcome. Everyone was glad to see ‘Americans.’ France, which has for over three years born the brunt of the most terrible war in history is not complaining. Everywhere we see women doing men s work. All the French people are working to one view, to win the war to preserve the independence of the Republic. That which has impressed me most since coming here is the wonderful system of farming. The soil does not appear to be any stronger than ours of Little River county, but my, how these people make it produce, small fields of from three to ten acres every foot of which is cultivated to its maximum production. The fields are separated by hedge rows of berry vines or small fruit trees, hill sides or ravines too rough to cultivate are set in fruit and sodded in grass, not one foot of land is wasted. The sandy country not suitable to cultivate is set in pine woods, the trees arranged at a suitable distance to permit growth. The tar and pitch is taken from them, which, I am told does not retard the growth of the trees. After seeing all this I can hardly realize what a place our country would be if we could but learn to utilize the great natural resources we now let go to waste.
One of the great helps to America from this war will be the lesson in land economy our farmer boys will learn by coming over here.
Of the war we are allowed to say but little. All of us wish it were over and we could be at home with loved ones and friends. None of us wish to come home until it is brought to a definite conclusion, however. We are now in and let us stay and once for all put down the force which has kept the world in a state of arms for the past fifty years. Let the man at home who may shout for a premature peace be put in prison with other traitors. Let each American man or woman at home or in the service make his supreme purpose the serving of our country and how great will our victory be. The man who stays at home and produces is as much a soldier as he at the front. But those who stay back and slack are going to find themselves scorned by all true people.
The women of America are certainly doing their part, we received a lot of wool sweaters, sox, caps and gloves from the Red Cross which sure comes in fine over here. The men of the flying service are from all parts of America. The requirements were rather rigid and the training has been wonderful. Like all war service flying has uncertain features but we all expect to be of the ones who come back. One and all are giving the best we have and taking what comes as part of the game. I know those boys from home will be regular fellows when we get here, that the men from Little River county will give a grand accounting of themselves.
Give my kindest regards to Ashdown friends and best wishes to yourself and family.
Yours very truly,
J. E. Welch,
U. S. N. Aero Unit No. 1, 23 Rue De La Part. Paris, France.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.